Special Report
These 44 Republicans Have Made a Career Out of Serving in the House of Representatives
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Few elected officials at the federal level have as limited job security as members of the House of Representatives. Unlike their counterparts in the Senate, who are up for reelection every six years, House members must be voted in by their district every two years. Facing such frequent reckoning, holding office for more than six years is a feat most of the 437 sitting U.S. Congressional Representatives have not achieved.
There are many lawmakers who have managed to defy the odds and win the approval of their constituents election after election. By reviewing the term history of each sitting member of the U.S. House of Representatives, 24/7 Wall St. identified the Republican Reps. who have served the most consecutive and non consecutive terms. There are currently 44 GOP lawmakers who have spent more than 10 calendar years in office.
Click here to see the longest-serving Republicans in the U.S. House.
Click here to see the longest-serving Democrats in the U.S. House.
Job security on Capitol Hill appears to be a product of popularity for many representatives. Lawmakers who represent the interests of the majority of their constituents are more likely to win reelections. The Republicans on this list have not only won elections in the past, but the majority also claimed decisive victories in the 2020 election, winning their seat by a margin of 20 percentage points or more.
Of course, a representative’s reason for leaving office is not limited to losing an election. House members may decide to end their career in public service and move to the private sector, or simply retire. Others choose to run for other public offices, like the Senate, or accept appointments to positions in the executive branch. Here is a list of the 48 people who became vice president.
Source: reed.house.gov / Wikimedia Commons
44. Rep. Tom Reed
> Period of service: 11 years (2010-present)
> Current constituency: New York’s 23rd Congressional District
> Victory in 2020 election: 57.7% of the vote (16.6 ppt more than runner-up)
> Tenure rank of all sitting Reps.: 127th longest serving Rep. of either party
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43. Rep. Brett Guthrie
> Period of service: 12 years – tied (2009-present)
> Current constituency: Kentucky’s 2nd Congressional District
> Victory in 2020 election: 71.0% of the vote (44.7 ppt more than runner-up)
> Tenure rank of all sitting Reps.: tied – 112th longest serving Rep. of either party
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
42. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer
> Period of service: 12 years – tied (2009-present)
> Current constituency: Missouri’s 3rd Congressional District
> Victory in 2020 election: 69.4% of the vote (40.9 ppt more than runner-up)
> Tenure rank of all sitting Reps.: tied – 112th longest serving Rep. of either party
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
41. Rep. Tom McClintock
> Period of service: 12 years – tied (2009-present)
> Current constituency: California’s 4th Congressional District
> Victory in 2020 election: 55.9% of the vote (11.9 ppt more than runner-up)
> Tenure rank of all sitting Reps.: tied – 112th longest serving Rep. of either party
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
40. Rep. Bill Posey
> Period of service: 12 years – tied (2009-present)
> Current constituency: Florida’s 8th Congressional District
> Victory in 2020 election: 61.4% of the vote (22.7 ppt more than runner-up)
> Tenure rank of all sitting Reps.: tied – 112th longest serving Rep. of either party
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
39. Rep. Glenn Thompson
> Period of service: 12 years – tied (2009-present)
> Current constituency: Pennsylvania’s 15th Congressional District
> Victory in 2020 election: 73.5% of the vote (46.9 ppt more than runner-up)
> Tenure rank of all sitting Reps.: tied – 112th longest serving Rep. of either party
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
38. Rep. Tim Walberg
> Period of service: 12 years – tied (2007-2009; 2011-present)
> Current constituency: Michigan’s 7th Congressional District
> Victory in 2020 election: 58.8% of the vote (17.5 ppt more than runner-up)
> Tenure rank of all sitting Reps.: tied – 112th longest serving Rep. of either party
Source: Larry French / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
37. Rep. Steve Scalise
> Period of service: 13 years (2008-present)
> Current constituency: Louisiana’s 1st Congressional District
> Victory in 2020 election: 72.2% of the vote (46.9 ppt more than runner-up)
> Tenure rank of all sitting Reps.: 108th longest serving Rep. of either party
36. Rep. Jim Jordan
> Period of service: 14 years – tied (2007-present)
> Current constituency: Ohio’s 4th Congressional District
> Victory in 2020 election: 67.9% of the vote (38.5 ppt more than runner-up)
> Tenure rank of all sitting Reps.: tied – 90th longest serving Rep. of either party
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Source: Michael Ciaglo / Getty Images News via Getty Images
35. Rep. Doug Lamborn
> Period of service: 14 years – tied (2007-present)
> Current constituency: Colorado’s 5th Congressional District
> Victory in 2020 election: 57.6% of the vote (20.2 ppt more than runner-up)
> Tenure rank of all sitting Reps.: tied – 90th longest serving Rep. of either party
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
34. Rep. Robert E. Latta
> Period of service: 14 years – tied (2007-present)
> Current constituency: Ohio’s 5th Congressional District
> Victory in 2020 election: 68.0% of the vote (36.0 ppt more than runner-up)
> Tenure rank of all sitting Reps.: tied – 90th longest serving Rep. of either party
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
33. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis
> Period of service: 14 years – tied (2007-present)
> Current constituency: Florida’s 12th Congressional District
> Victory in 2020 election: 62.9% of the vote (25.8 ppt more than runner-up)
> Tenure rank of all sitting Reps.: tied – 90th longest serving Rep. of either party
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Source: Win McNamee / Getty Images News via Getty Images
32. Rep. Kevin McCarthy
> Period of service: 14 years – tied (2007-present)
> Current constituency: California’s 23rd Congressional District
> Victory in 2020 election: 62.1% of the vote (24.3 ppt more than runner-up)
> Tenure rank of all sitting Reps.: tied – 90th longest serving Rep. of either party
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
31. Rep. Adrian Smith
> Period of service: 14 years – tied (2007-present)
> Current constituency: Nebraska’s 3rd Congressional District
> Victory in 2020 election: 78.5% of the vote (60.8 ppt more than runner-up)
> Tenure rank of all sitting Reps.: tied – 90th longest serving Rep. of either party
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
30. Rep. Vern Buchanan
> Period of service: 14 years – tied (2007-present)
> Current constituency: Florida’s 16th Congressional District
> Victory in 2020 election: 55.5% of the vote (11.0 ppt more than runner-up)
> Tenure rank of all sitting Reps.: tied – 90th longest serving Rep. of either party
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
29. Rep. Robert J. Wittman
> Period of service: 14 years – tied (2007-present)
> Current constituency: Virginia’s 1st Congressional District
> Victory in 2020 election: 58.1% of the vote (16.4 ppt more than runner-up)
> Tenure rank of all sitting Reps.: tied – 90th longest serving Rep. of either party
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Source: Kris Connor / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
28. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry
> Period of service: 16 years – tied (2005-present)
> Current constituency: Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District
> Victory in 2020 election: 59.5% of the vote (21.9 ppt more than runner-up)
> Tenure rank of all sitting Reps.: tied – 75th longest serving Rep. of either party
Source: Alex Wong / Getty Images
27. Rep. Virginia Foxx
> Period of service: 16 years – tied (2005-present)
> Current constituency: North Carolina’s 5th Congressional District
> Victory in 2020 election: 66.9% of the vote (35.8 ppt more than runner-up)
> Tenure rank of all sitting Reps.: tied – 75th longest serving Rep. of either party
Source: Pool / Getty Images News via Getty Images
26. Rep. Louie Gohmert
> Period of service: 16 years – tied (2005-present)
> Current constituency: Texas’ 1st Congressional District
> Victory in 2020 election: 72.6% of the vote (45.2 ppt more than runner-up)
> Tenure rank of all sitting Reps.: tied – 75th longest serving Rep. of either party
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
25. Rep. Michael T. McCaul
> Period of service: 16 years – tied (2005-present)
> Current constituency: Texas’ 10th Congressional District
> Victory in 2020 election: 52.5% of the vote (7.1 ppt more than runner-up)
> Tenure rank of all sitting Reps.: tied – 75th longest serving Rep. of either party
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
24. Rep. Patrick T. McHenry
> Period of service: 16 years – tied (2005-present)
> Current constituency: North Carolina’s 10th Congressional District
> Victory in 2020 election: 68.9% of the vote (37.8 ppt more than runner-up)
> Tenure rank of all sitting Reps.: tied – 75th longest serving Rep. of either party
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23. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers
> Period of service: 16 years – tied (2005-present)
> Current constituency: Washington’s 5th Congressional District
> Victory in 2020 election: 61.3% of the vote (22.8 ppt more than runner-up)
> Tenure rank of all sitting Reps.: tied – 75th longest serving Rep. of either party
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Source: Joe Raedle / Getty Images
22. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart
> Period of service: 18 years – tied (2003-present)
> Current constituency: Florida’s 25th Congressional District
> Victory in 2020 election: 0.0% of the vote (0.0 ppt more than runner-up)
> Tenure rank of all sitting Reps.: tied – 61st longest serving Rep. of either party
Source: Drew Angerer / Getty Images News via Getty Images
21. Rep. Darrell E. Issa
> Period of service: 18 years – tied (2001-2019; 2021-present)
> Current constituency: California’s 50th Congressional District
> Victory in 2020 election: 54.0% of the vote (7.9 ppt more than runner-up)
> Tenure rank of all sitting Reps.: tied – 61st longest serving Rep. of either party
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Source: Win McNamee / Getty Images News via Getty Images
20. Rep. Devin Nunes
> Period of service: 18 years – tied (2003-present)
> Current constituency: California’s 22nd Congressional District
> Victory in 2020 election: 54.2% of the vote (8.5 ppt more than runner-up)
> Tenure rank of all sitting Reps.: tied – 61st longest serving Rep. of either party
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
19. Rep. Mike D. Rogers
> Period of service: 18 years – tied (2003-present)
> Current constituency: Alabama’s 3rd Congressional District
> Victory in 2020 election: 67.5% of the vote (35.0 ppt more than runner-up)
> Tenure rank of all sitting Reps.: tied – 61st longest serving Rep. of either party
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Source: Pool / Getty Images
18. Rep. Michael R. Turner
> Period of service: 18 years – tied (2003-present)
> Current constituency: Ohio’s 10th Congressional District
> Victory in 2020 election: 58.4% of the vote (16.7 ppt more than runner-up)
> Tenure rank of all sitting Reps.: tied – 61st longest serving Rep. of either party
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
17. Rep. Michael C. Burgess
> Period of service: 18 years – tied (2003-present)
> Current constituency: Texas’ 26th Congressional District
> Victory in 2020 election: 60.6% of the vote (23.3 ppt more than runner-up)
> Tenure rank of all sitting Reps.: tied – 61st longest serving Rep. of either party
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
16. Rep. John R. Carter
> Period of service: 18 years – tied (2003-present)
> Current constituency: Texas’ 31st Congressional District
> Victory in 2020 election: 53.4% of the vote (9.1 ppt more than runner-up)
> Tenure rank of all sitting Reps.: tied – 61st longest serving Rep. of either party
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Source: T.J. Kirkpatrick / Getty Images
15. Rep. Tom Cole
> Period of service: 18 years – tied (2003-present)
> Current constituency: Oklahoma’s 4th Congressional District
> Victory in 2020 election: 67.8% of the vote (39.0 ppt more than runner-up)
> Tenure rank of all sitting Reps.: tied – 61st longest serving Rep. of either party
Source: 139aw / Flickr
14. Rep. Sam Graves
> Period of service: 20 years – tied (2001-present)
> Current constituency: Missouri’s 6th Congressional District
> Victory in 2020 election: 67.1% of the vote (36.2 ppt more than runner-up)
> Tenure rank of all sitting Reps.: tied – 54th longest serving Rep. of either party
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Source: Samuel Corum / Getty Images News via Getty Images
13. Rep. Joe Wilson
> Period of service: 20 years – tied (2001-present)
> Current constituency: South Carolina’s 2nd Congressional District
> Victory in 2020 election: 55.7% of the vote (13.1 ppt more than runner-up)
> Tenure rank of all sitting Reps.: tied – 54th longest serving Rep. of either party
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Source: Olivier Douliery / Getty Images News via Getty Images
12. Rep. Pete Sessions
> Period of service: 22 years – tied (1997-2019; 2021-present)
> Current constituency: Texas’ 17th Congressional District
> Victory in 2020 election: 55.9% of the vote (14.9 ppt more than runner-up)
> Tenure rank of all sitting Reps.: tied – 48th longest serving Rep. of either party
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
11. Rep. Michael K. Simpson
> Period of service: 22 years – tied (1999-present)
> Current constituency: Idaho’s 2nd Congressional District
> Victory in 2020 election: 64.1% of the vote (32.3 ppt more than runner-up)
> Tenure rank of all sitting Reps.: tied – 48th longest serving Rep. of either party
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10. Rep. Kay Granger
> Period of service: 24 years – tied (1997-present)
> Current constituency: Texas’ 12th Congressional District
> Victory in 2020 election: 63.7% of the vote (30.7 ppt more than runner-up)
> Tenure rank of all sitting Reps.: tied – 35th longest serving Rep. of either party
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
9. Rep. Robert B. Aderholt
> Period of service: 24 years – tied (1997-present)
> Current constituency: Alabama’s 4th Congressional District
> Victory in 2020 election: 82.2% of the vote (64.6 ppt more than runner-up)
> Tenure rank of all sitting Reps.: tied – 35th longest serving Rep. of either party
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8. Rep. Kevin Brady
> Period of service: 24 years – tied (1997-present)
> Current constituency: Texas’ 8th Congressional District
> Victory in 2020 election: 72.5% of the vote (47.0 ppt more than runner-up)
> Tenure rank of all sitting Reps.: tied – 35th longest serving Rep. of either party
Source: Pool / Getty Images News via Getty Images
7. Rep. Steve Chabot
> Period of service: 24 years – tied (1995-2009; 2011-present)
> Current constituency: Ohio’s 1st Congressional District
> Victory in 2020 election: 51.8% of the vote (7.2 ppt more than runner-up)
> Tenure rank of all sitting Reps.: tied – 35th longest serving Rep. of either party
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
6. Rep. Frank D. Lucas
> Period of service: 28 years – tied (1993-present)
> Current constituency: Oklahoma’s 3rd Congressional District
> Victory in 2020 election: 78.5% of the vote (57.0 ppt more than runner-up)
> Tenure rank of all sitting Reps.: tied – 17th longest serving Rep. of either party
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Source: Alex Wong / Getty Images News via Getty Images
5. Rep. Ken Calvert
> Period of service: 28 years – tied (1993-present)
> Current constituency: California’s 42nd Congressional District
> Victory in 2020 election: 57.1% of the vote (14.3 ppt more than runner-up)
> Tenure rank of all sitting Reps.: tied – 17th longest serving Rep. of either party
Source: Win McNamee / Getty Images News via Getty Images
4. Rep. Fred Upton
> Period of service: 34 years (1987-present)
> Current constituency: Michigan’s 6th Congressional District
> Victory in 2020 election: 55.8% of the vote (15.7 ppt more than runner-up)
> Tenure rank of all sitting Reps.: tied – 6th longest serving Rep. of either party
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Source: Win McNamee / Getty Images News via Getty Images
3. Rep. Harold Rogers
> Period of service: 40 years – tied (1981-present)
> Current constituency: Kentucky’s 5th Congressional District
> Victory in 2020 election: 84.2% of the vote (68.4 ppt more than runner-up)
> Tenure rank of all sitting Reps.: tied – 2nd longest serving Rep. of either party
Source: oscepa / Flickr
2. Rep. Christopher H. Smith
> Period of service: 40 years – tied (1981-present)
> Current constituency: New Jersey’s 4th Congressional District
> Victory in 2020 election: 59.9% of the vote (21.6 ppt more than runner-up)
> Tenure rank of all sitting Reps.: tied – 2nd longest serving Rep. of either party
Source: U.S. House of Representatives/House Creative Services / Wikimedia Commons
1. Rep. Don Young
> Period of service: 48 years (1973-present)
> Current constituency: Alaska at large
> Victory in 2020 election: 54.4% of the vote (9.1 ppt more than runner-up)
> Tenure rank of all sitting Reps.: tied – the longest serving Rep. of either party
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