ELECTED BUT NEVER SWORN IN

Below is a list of the individuals elected to state or federal offices in California, but who never took the oath of office. Most died before assuming office, while others declined to serve. This list does not include cases like Bruce Bronzan who declined to assume office after winning reelection in the 1992 General Election (but had already served in the State Assembly for a decade) or Don A. Allen, who was returned to the Assembly in a June 1956 special election but deferred his seating for the rest of the session. Allen had previously served more than nine years and would (starting in 1957) serve another eight.

A total of 42 people declined to attend our two state constitutional conventions after being elected as delegates. The 1849 Convention which wrote our first state constitution (in use 1850-1879) had 24 no-shows, while the 1878-79 Convention (which wrote our current state constitution) had 18 delegates decline to attend.

(1) Lindsey Carson was elected in the 1853 General Election on October 8th. Carson declined to be seated. A Special Election to fill the vacancy was held on December 23, 1853.
(2) James H. Carson was elected in the 1853 General Election on October 8th. Carson died December 12, 1853, before qualifying. A Special Election to fill the vacancy was held on January 10, 1854.
(3) Mandeville was elected Controller in 1857 but declined to serve and never took the oath of office. He was reeelected in 1875 and served 62 days before he died.
(4) Leja agreed not to serve as part of plea deal relating to campaign finance charges.

SHORTEST TERMS IN OFFICE

California's shortest serving officeholders of state and federal offices are listed below. Some died before assuming office, while others resigned, died, or lost reelection soon after assuming office. 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.

There are a number of current state and federal officeholders who have served less than 365 days in their new offices and would qualify for inclusion on the "Shortest Terms in Office" list if they left office today. Those elected officials (and the dates of their 365th day in office) are:

• US Senator Laphonza Butler (October 3, 2024)
• State Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire (February 5, 2025)
• US Representative Vince Fong (June 4, 2025)
• Members of the State Legislative Class of 2024 (December 5, 2025)
• Members of the Congressional Class of 2025 (January 3, 2026)

(1) Pitzer was sworn in when Assemblyman W. C. Martin was disqualified, but the disqualification was overturned three days later.
(2) This individual held this office in an acting capacity in accordance with Government Code section 1775.
(3) Breed actually served as Acting Lt. Governor on three occasions, for a total of 50 days in office.
(4) Similar to holding an office in an acting capacity, custodial officeholders were appointed to hold an office for a set duration while the incumbent was unable to perform their duties (for Stewart, until Attorney General McConnell returned to the state and for Burton, until the impeachment trial against Controller Whitman ended).
(5) The legislative body was not in session for the duration of the term after the election, so Storke never introduced bills or voted on any legislative matters.
(6) Maldonado actually served seven days past the end of his term after his successor, Gavin Newsom, delayed his inauguration as Lieutenant Governor.
(7) Currently serving. Appointed to the US Senate in October 2023 to fill the vacancy created by the death of Dianne Feinstein. Declined to seek reelection. Successor to be elected at November 2024 General Election. 401 days is from appointment to day after the General Election.