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 M. Calderon (who is now serving his 22nd year [in 2012] 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 Governor Jerry Brown, who has previously served eight years (pre-term limits). If Brown serves his full current term, he will reach 12 years in that office (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.

(1) Stark's tenure in Congress will exceed Reilly's tenure on the Board of Equalization on January 4, 2017.
(2) Feinstein will reach 20 years in the U.S. Senate on November 4, 2012 (in 171 days).
(3) This officeholder will reach 20 years of service in their current office on January 4, 2013 (in 232 days).
(4) This officeholder will reach 20 years of service in their current office on June 17, 2013 (in 396 days).
(*) This officeholder has announced that they will not seek reelection in 2012.