LONGEST TERMS IN OFFICE
Since the introduction of term limits in 1990, State Executive and State Senate members can only hold an office for two four-year terms. For the State Assembly, the limit is three two-year terms. Seats in the US House of Representatives and US Senate are not bound by term limits, and members may serve as long as the voters in their districts reelect them. The current longest-serving member of the legislature is Assemblyman Charles Calderon (who is now serving his 20th year [in 2010] between the two houses). Only one current legislator is able to reach 20 years in a single house; Assemblyman Jim Nielsen (who served twelve years in the Senate prior to term limits, and is eligible to serve another eight).

Also of note is Attorney General Jerry Brown, who has served eight years as Governor (pre-term limits) and appears to be ready to run again. If elected to the maximum of two additional terms, Brown would reach 16 years (breaking the current record of 10 years held by Earl Warren).

Before the introduction of term limits, officials were limited only by their ability to attract voters on Election Day. With his Assembly and State Senate service combined, Ralph C. Dills holds the record for longest tenure in the state legislature. The following is a list of the longest terms in office in California history.

SHORTEST TERMS IN OFFICE
California's shortest service members of the State and Federal offices is located below. Most either died before assuming office, resigned shortly after assuming office. This list includes only politicians who lived to assumed office, although at least nine died between election day and when they assumed office; one Congressman-elect, Charles F. Van de Water (1920); two State Senator-elects George W. Seaton (1865) and Charles L. Pong (1890); and four Assemblymen-elects, L. Dunlap (1850), James H. Carson (1853), Thomas Robertson (1859), and William L. Morton (1882), and J. H. Krimminger (1904). One interesting story is that of AD-54 in 1903; A. D. Duffey was a member for 37 days between when he was sworn in and when his seat was successfully contested by Harry S. Wanzer who then served for 34 days before resigning.
Fun Fact: The father of California Short-term Politicians was State Senator Nathaniel Bennett, who resigned five days after the first Legislature convened in San Jose in 1849.

(1) Agreed not to serve as part of plea deal.
(2) Pitzer was sworn in when Assemblyman W. C. Martin was disqualified, but the disqualification was overturned three days later.
(3) The term ended before Storke could be sworn into office.
(4) James W. Mandeville was elected Controller twice, but only served a total of 62 days in office.