List of United States Senators from California

Last updated

Current delegation

California elects United States Senators to Class 1 and Class 3. The state has been represented by 44 people in the Senate since it was admitted to the Union on September 9, 1850. Its current U.S. Senators are Democrats Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris.

California State of the United States of America

California is a state in the Pacific Region of the United States. With 39.6 million residents across a total area of about 163,696 square miles (423,970 km2), California is the most populous U.S. state and the third-largest by area. The state capital is Sacramento. The Greater Los Angeles Area and the San Francisco Bay Area are the nation's second- and fifth-most populous urban regions, with 18.7 million and 9.7 million residents respectively. Los Angeles is California's most populous city, and the country's second-most populous, after New York City. California also has the nation's most populous county, Los Angeles County, and its largest county by area, San Bernardino County. The City and County of San Francisco is both the country's second-most densely populated major city after New York City and the fifth-most densely populated county, behind only four of the five New York City boroughs.

United States Senate Upper house of the United States Congress

The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the United States Congress which, along with the United States House of Representatives—the lower chamber—comprises the legislature of the United States. The Senate chamber is located in the north wing of the Capitol Building, in Washington, D.C.

Contents

List of Senators

Class 1

Class 1 U.S. Senators belong to the electoral cycle that were first elected for only one U.S. Congress in the first elections of 1850, and then the seat was contested again every three Congresses (six years) thereafter. The seat in recent years have been contested in 2000, 2006, 2012, and 2018. The next election will be in 2024.

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Class 3

Class 3 U.S. Senators belong to the electoral cycle that were first elected for the first three United States Congresses in the first elections of 1850, and then the seat was contested again every three Congresses (six years) thereafter. The seat in recent years have been contested in 1998, 2004, 2010, and 2016. The next election will be in 2022.

#SenatorPartyYears in officeElectoral historyT
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1 John Charles Fremont crop.jpg
John C. Frémont
Democratic September 9, 1850 –
March 3, 1851
Elected December 20, 1849.1 31st 1 Elected December 20, 1849.September 9, 1850 –
March 2, 1855
Democratic WMGwin.jpg
William M. Gwin
1
VacantMarch 4, 1851 –
January 29, 1852
Legislature failed to elect.2 32nd
2 John Weller.jpg
John B. Weller
Democratic January 30, 1852 –
March 3, 1857
Elected late in 1852.

Lost re-election.
33rd
34th 2Legislature failed to elect.March 3, 1855 –
January 13, 1857
Vacant
Elected late in 1857.January 14, 1857 –
March 3, 1861
Democratic WMGwin.jpg
William M. Gwin
3 David C. Broderick - Brady-Handy.jpg
David C. Broderick
Democratic March 4, 1857 –
September 16, 1859
Elected in 1856.

Died.
3 35th
36th
VacantSeptember 17, 1859 –
November 2, 1859
4 Henry Haun.jpg
Henry P. Haun
Democratic November 3, 1859 –
March 4, 1860
Appointed to continue Broderick's term.

Lost election to finish Broderick's term.
5 Latham1.jpg
Milton Latham
Democratic March 5, 1860 –
March 3, 1863
Elected to finish Broderick's term.

Lost re-election.
37th 3 Elected in 1860.

Retired.
March 4, 1861 –
March 3, 1867
Democratic Sen James A McDougall.jpg
James A. McDougall
2
6 John Conness.jpg
John Conness
Republican March 4, 1863 –
March 3, 1869
Elected during the 1862/63 cycle. [1] 4 38th
39th
40th 4 Elected during the 1866/67 cycle.March 4, 1867 –
March 3, 1873
Republican CorneliusCole.jpg
Cornelius Cole
3
7 Eugene Casserly - Brady-Handy.jpg
Eugene Casserly
Democratic March 4, 1869 –
November 29, 1873
Elected in 1868.

Resigned.
5 41st
42nd
43rd 5Elected in 1872 or 1873.

Retired.
March 4, 1873 –
March 3, 1879
Republican Aaron Augustus Sargent - Brady-Handy.jpg
Aaron A. Sargent
4
VacantNovember 30, 1873 –
December 22, 1873
8 John S. Hager.jpg
John S. Hager
Democratic December 23, 1873 –
March 3, 1875
Elected to finish Casserly's term.

Retired.
9 Newton Booth - Brady-Handy.jpg
Newton Booth
Anti-Monopoly March 4, 1875 –
March 3, 1881
Elected in 1874.

Retired.
6 44th
45th
46th 6 Elected in 1878.

Retired.
March 4, 1879 –
March 3, 1885
Democratic James T. Farley.jpg
James T. Farley
5
10 JFMiller.jpg
John Franklin Miller
Republican March 4, 1881 –
March 8, 1886
Elected in 1880.

Died.
7 47th
48th
49th 7 Elected in 1885.March 4, 1885 –
June 21, 1893
Republican LelandStanford.jpg
Leland Stanford
6
VacantMarch 9, 1886 –
March 22, 1886
11 George Hearst (cropped).jpg
George Hearst
Democratic March 23, 1886 –
August 3, 1886
Appointed to continue Miller's term.

Successor qualified.
12 APWilliams.jpg
Abram P. Williams
Republican August 4, 1886 –
March 3, 1887
Elected to finish Miller's term.

Retired.
13 George Hearst (cropped).jpg
George Hearst
Democratic March 4, 1887 –
February 28, 1891
Elected in 1887.

Died.
8 50th
51st
VacantMarch 1, 1891 –
March 18, 1891
 
52nd 8 Re-elected in 1891.

Died.
14 Charles Norton Felton.jpg
Charles N. Felton
Republican March 19, 1891 –
March 3, 1893
Elected to finish Hearst's term.

Retired.
15 StephenMWhite.JPG
Stephen M. White
Democratic March 4, 1893 –
March 3, 1899
Elected in 1893.

Retired.
9 53rd
 June 22, 1893 –
July 25, 1893
Vacant
Appointed to continue Stanford's term.

Elected January 23, 1895 to finish Stanford's term. [2]
July 26, 1893 –
March 3, 1915
Republican George Clement Perkins.jpg
George Clement Perkins
7
54th
55th 9 Re-elected January 13, 1897. [3]
VacantMarch 4, 1899 –
February 6, 1900
 10 56th
16 Thomas R. Bard.jpg
Thomas R. Bard
Republican February 7, 1900 –
March 3, 1905
Elected late in 1900.

Lost re-election.
57th
58th 10 Re-elected January 13, 1903. [4]
17 Frank Putnam Flint.jpg
Frank P. Flint
Republican March 4, 1905 –
March 3, 1911
Elected January 11, 1905. [5]

Retired.
11 59th
60th
61st 11 Re-elected January 12, 1909. [6]

Retired.
18 John Downey Works.jpg
John D. Works
Republican March 4, 1911 –
March 3, 1917
Elected in 1911.

Retired.
12 62nd
63rd
64th 12 Elected in 1914.

Lost re-election.
March 4, 1915 –
March 3, 1921
Democratic James D. Phelan - Mayor of SF 1910.jpg
James D. Phelan
8
19 Hiram Johnson.jpg
Hiram Johnson
Republican March 4, 1917 –
August 6, 1945
Elected in 1916.

Didn't take seat until March 16, 1917 as he wanted to remain Governor of California. However, he was still elected and qualified as senator.
13 65th
66th
67th 13 Elected in 1920.March 4, 1921 –
March 3, 1933
Republican Samuel Morgan Shortridge.jpg
Samuel M. Shortridge
9
Re-elected in 1922.14 68th
69th
70th 14 Re-elected in 1926.

Lost renomination.
Re-elected in 1928.15 71st
72nd
73rd 15 Elected in 1932.

Lost renomination, then resigned.
March 4, 1933 –
November 8, 1938
Democratic William Gibbs McAdoo, formal photo portrait, 1914.jpg
William Gibbs McAdoo
10
Re-elected in 1934.16 74th
75th
Appointed to finish McAdoo's term.

Retired.
November 9, 1938 –
January 2, 1939
Democratic ThomasMStorke.jpg
Thomas M. Storke
11
76th 16 Elected in 1938.January 3, 1939 –
November 30, 1950
Democratic SDowney.jpg
Sheridan Downey
12
Re-elected in 1940.

Died.
17 77th
78th
79th 17 Re-elected in 1944.

Ran for re-election, but dropped out of renomination race due to ill health.

Resigned early due to ill health.
VacantAugust 7, 1945 –
August 25, 1945
 
20 William F. Knowland headshot.jpg
William F. Knowland
Republican August 26, 1945 –
January 2, 1959
Appointed to continue Johnson's term.

Elected November 5, 1946 to finish Johnson's term.
Re-elected in 1946.18 80th
81st
Appointed to finish Downey's term,
having been elected to the next term.
December 1, 1950 –
January 1, 1953
Republican Richard Nixon congressional portrait.jpg
Richard Nixon
13
82nd 18 Elected in 1950.

Resigned to become Vice President of the United States.
Appointed to continue Nixon's term.

Elected November 2, 1954 to finish Nixon's term. [2]
January 2, 1953 –
January 2, 1969
Republican ThomasKuchel.jpg
Thomas Kuchel
14
Re-elected in 1952.

Retired to run for Governor of California.
19 83rd
84th
85th 19 Re-elected in 1956.
21 Clair Engle.jpg
Clair Engle
Democratic January 3, 1959 –
July 30, 1964
Elected in 1958.

Died.
20 86th
87th
88th 20 Re-elected in 1962.

Lost renomination.
VacantJuly 31, 1964 –
August 3, 1964
 
22 PierreSalinger.jpg
Pierre Salinger
Democratic August 4, 1964 –
December 31, 1964
Appointed to continue Engle's term.

Lost election to full term, then resigned early to give successor preferential seniority.
23 GeorgeMurphy.jpg
George Murphy
Republican January 1, 1965 –
January 1, 1971
Appointed to finish Salinger's term, having been elected to the next term.
Elected in 1964.

Lost re-election, then resigned early to give successor preferential seniority.
21 89th
90th
91st 21 Elected in 1968.January 3, 1969 –
January 2, 1993
Democratic AlanCranston.jpg
Alan Cranston
15
24 JohnTunney.jpg
John V. Tunney
Democratic January 2, 1971 –
January 1, 1977
Appointed to finish Murphy's term, having been elected to the next term.
Elected in 1970.

Lost re-election, resigned early to give his successor preferential seniority.
22 92nd
93rd
94th 22 Re-elected in 1974.
25 SIHayakawa.jpg
S. I. Hayakawa
Republican January 2, 1977 –
January 2, 1983
Appointed to finish Tunney's term, having been elected to the next term.
Elected in 1976.

Retired.
23 95th
96th
97th 23 Re-elected in 1980.
26 PeteWilson.jpg
Pete Wilson
Republican January 3, 1983 –
January 6, 1991
Elected in 1982.24 98th
99th
100th 24 Re-elected in 1986.

Retired.
Re-elected in 1988.

Resigned to become Governor of California.
25 101st
102nd
27 John F Seymour.jpg
John Seymour
Republican January 7, 1991 –
November 3, 1992
Appointed to continue Wilson's term.

Lost election to finish Wilson's term.
28 Dianne Feinstein Official High Res Photo.jpg
Dianne Feinstein
Democratic November 4, 1992 –
Present
Elected to finish Wilson's term.
103rd 25 Elected in 1992.January 3, 1993 –
January 3, 2017
Democratic Barbara Boxer, Official Portrait, 112th Congress.jpg
Barbara Boxer
16
Re-elected in 1994.26 104th
105th
106th 26 Re-elected in 1998.
Re-elected in 2000.27 107th
108th
109th 27 Re-elected in 2004.
Re-elected in 2006.28 110th
111th
112th 28 Re-elected in 2010.

Retired.
Re-elected in 2012.29 113th
114th
115th 29 Elected in 2016.January 3, 2017 –
Present
Democratic Kamala Harris Official Attorney General Photo (cropped).jpg
Kamala Harris
17
Re-elected in 2018.30 116th
117th
118th 30 To be determined in the 2022 election.
To be determined in the 2024 election.31 119th
#SenatorPartyYears in officeElectoral historyT
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Class 1 Class 3

Living former U.S. Senators from California

As of January 2019, there are currently three living former U.S. Senators from California. The most recent to die was John V. Tunney (served January 2, 1971 – January 1, 1977) on January 12, 2018. The most recently serving senator to die was Alan Cranston (served 1969–1993) on December 31, 2000.

John V. Tunney American politician

John Varick Tunney was a United States Senator and Representative from the state of California.

Alan Cranston American politician

Alan MacGregor Cranston was an American politician and journalist who served as a United States Senator from California, from 1969 to 1993, and as President of the World Federalist Association from 1949 to 1952.

SenatorTerm of officeDate of birth (and age)
Pete Wilson January 3, 1983 – January 6, 1991August 23, 1933 (age 85)
John Seymour January 7, 1991 – November 3, 1992December 3, 1937 (age 81)
Barbara Boxer January 3, 1993 – January 3, 2017November 11, 1940 (age 78)

Related Research Articles

1910 and 1911 United States Senate elections

Although the 17th Amendment was not passed until 1913, some states elected their Senators directly before its passage. Oregon pioneered direct election and experimented with different measures over several years until it succeeded in 1907. Soon after, Nebraska followed suit and laid the foundation for other states to adopt measures reflecting the people's will. By 1912, as many as 29 states elected senators either as nominees of their party's primary or in conjunction with a general election.

1908 and 1909 United States Senate elections

The United States Senate elections of 1908 and 1909, some states elected their senators directly even before passage of the 17th Amendment in 1913. Oregon pioneered direct election and experimented with different measures over several years until it succeeded in 1907. Soon after, Nebraska followed suit and laid the foundation for other states to adopt measures reflecting the people's will. By 1912, as many as 29 states elected senators either as nominees of their party's primary or in conjunction with a general election. The Republicans lost two seats overall.

The United States Senate elections of 1894 and 1895 were a slight Republican victory. It was a different story in the House where Democrats suffered massive losses. The senators elected went on to serve in the 54th Congress.

1902 and 1903 United States Senate elections

The United States Senate elections of 1902 and 1903 were elections which had the Democratic Party gain three seats in the United States Senate, but the Republicans kept their strong majority.

The United States Senate elections of 1892 and 1893 were elections which, corresponding with former Democratic President Grover Cleveland's return to power, had the Republican Party lose nine seats in the United States Senate and lose its majority to the Democratic Party. The Democratic majority, however, was minimal and didn't last past the next Congress.

References

  1. John Conness was elected as a Democrat, but changed party to Republican after the election.[ citation needed ]
  2. 1 2 Byrd, p. 83.
  3. "Perkins Re-elected in California". The New York Times. p. 12.
  4. "Perkins of California Re-elected". The New York Times. January 14, 1903. p. 12.
  5. The World Almanac and Encyclopedia 1906. 1905. p. 108.
  6. "Perkins of California Re-elected". The New York Times. January 13, 1903. p. 5.
Robert Byrd U.S. Senator from West Virginia (1959–2010)

Robert Carlyle Byrd was an American politician who served as a United States Senator from West Virginia for over 51 years, from 1959 until his death in 2010. A member of the Democratic Party, Byrd previously served as a U.S. Representative from 1953 until 1959. He is the longest-serving U.S. Senator in history. In addition, he was, at the time of his death, the longest-serving member in the history of the United States Congress, a record later surpassed by Representative John Dingell of Michigan. Byrd was the last remaining member of the U.S. Senate to have served during the presidency of Dwight Eisenhower, and the last remaining member of Congress to have served during the presidency of Harry S. Truman. Byrd is also the only West Virginian to have served in both chambers of the state legislature and both chambers of Congress.

Washington, D.C. Capital of the United States

Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington or D.C., is the capital of the United States. Founded after the American Revolution as the seat of government of the newly independent country, Washington was named after George Washington, the first president of the United States and a Founding Father. As the seat of the United States federal government and several international organizations, Washington is an important world political capital. The city, located on the Potomac River bordering Maryland and Virginia, is one of the most visited cities in the world, with more than 20 million tourists annually.

The United States Government Publishing Office is an agency of the legislative branch of the United States federal government. The office produces and distributes information products and services for all three branches of the Federal Government, including U.S. passports for the Department of State as well as the official publications of the Supreme Court, the Congress, the Executive Office of the President, executive departments, and independent agencies.

See also

United States congressional delegations from California Wikimedia list article

These are tables of congressional delegations from California to the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate.