List of youngest members of the United States Congress
The following are historical lists of the youngest members of the United States Congress, in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. These members would be the equivalent to the "Baby of the House" in the parliaments of Commonwealth countries; the U.S. Congress does not confer a similar title upon its youngest members.
The youngest U.S. congressman tends to be older than the youngest MPs in Commonwealth countries. This is partly because the minimum age requirements enumerated in Article One of the United States Constitution bar persons under the age of 25 years and 30 years from serving in the House and Senate, respectively. Additionally, the political culture of the United States encourages young politicians to gain experience in state and local offices before running for Congress. Although the vast majority of members of Congress gained state and local experience before being elected to Congress, members lacking state and local experience have increased recently.[1]
Madison Cawthorn (R-NC) is the youngest member of the 117th Congress at age 25. He replaced Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), who is the youngest woman ever elected to Congress and was the youngest of the 116th Congress.[2]
Jon Ossoff (D-GA) is the youngest sitting senator at 33,[3] replacing Missouri Senator Josh Hawley, who at 41 was the youngest senator of the 116th Congress.[4] Ossoff is the youngest Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate since Joe Biden in 1972.[5][6] The average age of Senators is now higher than in the past.[7] In the 19th century, several state legislatures elected Senators in their late twenties despite the Constitutional minimum age of 30, such as Henry Clay, who was sworn into office at age 29, and John Henry Eaton, the youngest US Senator in history, who took his oath of office when he was 28 years, 4 months and 29 days old.[8]
List of youngest U.S. senators
For Senators elected to a regular session, the starting date is the date at which the new Congress convened. From 1789 to 1935, this is March 4 (with the previous Congress ending on March 3); from 1937 onward, this is January 3.
For Senators appointed to a vacancy or elected in a special election, the starting date represents their swearing-in date.
Duration | Name | State | Party | Start age | End age | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
March 4, 1789 – July 25, 1789 | James Gunn | GA | Anti-Administration | 35 years, 356 days | 36 years, 134 days | |
July 25, 1789 – December 6, 1790 | Rufus King | NY | Pro-Administration | 34 years, 123 days | 35 years, 257 days | |
December 6, 1790 – March 4, 1791 | James Monroe | VA | Anti-Administration | 32 years, 222 days | 32 years, 310 days | |
March 4, 1791 – December 2, 1793 | John Rutherfurd | NJ | Pro-Administration | 30 years, 165 days | 33 years, 73 days | |
December 2, 1793 – February 28, 1794 | Albert Gallatin[lower-alpha 1] | PA | Anti-Administration | 32 years, 307 days | 33 years, 30 days | |
February 28, 1794 – April 24, 1794 | John Rutherfurd | NJ | Pro-Administration | 33 years, 161 days | 33 years, 216 days | |
April 24, 1794 – December 6, 1796 | James Ross | PA | Federalist | 31 years, 286 days | 34 years, 147 days | |
April 12, 1796 – December 6, 1796[lower-alpha 2] | Josiah Tattnall | GA | Democratic-Republican | 31–32 | 31–32 | |
December 6, 1796 – November 22, 1797 | Richard Stockton | NJ | Federalist | 32 years, 233 days | 33 years, 219 days | |
November 22, 1797 – April 1, 1798 | Andrew Jackson | TN | Democratic-Republican | 30 years, 252 days | 31 years, 17 days | |
April 1, 1798 – February 4, 1799 | Ray Greene | RI | Federalist | 33 years, 58 days | 34 years, 2 days | |
February 4, 1799 – March 3, 1801 | William Wells | DE | Federalist | 30 years, 28 days | 32 years, 56 days | |
March 4, 1801 – October 17, 1803 | Samuel White | DE | Federalist | 30 years, 93 days | 32 years, 320 days | |
October 17, 1803 – December 29, 1806 | Thomas Worthington | OH | Democratic-Republican | 30 years, 93 days | 33 years, 166 days | |
December 29, 1806 – March 4, 1807 | Henry Clay[lower-alpha 3] | KY | Democratic-Republican | 29 years, 261 days | 29 years, 326 days | |
March 4, 1807 – September 1807 | James Fenner | RI | Democratic-Republican | 36 years, 41 days | 36 years, 222 days | |
September 1807 – December 9, 1807 | Samuel White | DE | Federalist | 36 years, 274 days | 37 years, 8 days | |
December 9, 1807 – January 12, 1810 | William Crawford | GA | Democratic-Republican | 35 years, 288 days | 37 years, 322 days | |
May 26, 1809 – January 12, 1810[lower-alpha 4] | Jenkin Whiteside | TN | Democratic-Republican | 36–37 | 37–38 | |
January 12, 1810 – March 3, 1813 | Alexander Campbell | OH | Democratic-Republican | 30–31 | 33–34 | |
March 4, 1813 – May 27, 1813 | Outerbridge Horsey | DE | Federalist | 35 years, 364 days | 36 years, 80 days | |
May 24, 1813 – May 27, 1813[lower-alpha 5] | William Bulloch | GA | Democratic-Republican | 35–36 | 35–36 | |
May 27, 1813 – December 6, 1813 | Robert Goldsborough | MD | Federalist | 34 years, 143 days | 34 years, 336 days | |
December 6, 1813 – April 9, 1814 | William Bibb[lower-alpha 6][lower-alpha 7] | GA | Democratic-Republican | 32 years, 65 days | 32 years, 189 days | |
April 9, 1814 – February 2, 1815 | Jesse Wharton[lower-alpha 7] | TN | Democratic-Republican | 31 years, 254 days | 32 years, 188 days | |
February 2, 1815 – January 22, 1816 | William Barry[lower-alpha 7] | KY | Democratic-Republican | 30 years, 362 days | 31 years, 351 days | |
January 22, 1816 – March 3, 1817 | Armistead Mason[lower-alpha 8] | VA | Democratic-Republican | 28 years, 171 days | 29 years, 212 days | |
March 4, 1817 – November 16, 1818 | John Crittenden | KY | Democratic-Republican | 29 years, 175 days | 31 years, 67 days | |
November 16, 1818 – March 3, 1821 | John Eaton[lower-alpha 9] | TN | Democratic-Republican | 28 years, 151 days | 30 years, 259 days | |
March 4, 1821 – December 3, 1821 | Samuel Southard | NJ | Democratic-Republican | 33 years, 268 days | 34 years, 177 days | |
December 3, 1821 – March 3, 1823 | John Eaton | TN | Democratic-Republican | 31 years, 168 days | 32 years, 259 days | |
March 4, 1823 – March 3, 1825 | Robert Hayne | SC | Jacksonian Republican | 31 years, 114 days | 33 years, 114 days | |
March 4, 1825 – March 3, 1829 | Elias Kane | IL | Jacksonian | 30 years, 270 days | 34 years, 270 days | |
March 4, 1829 – December 16, 1833 | John Clayton | DE | Anti-Jacksonian | 32 years, 223 days | 37 years, 145 days | |
December 16, 1833 – December 31, 1833 | Lewis Linn | MO | Jacksonian | 37 years, 41 days | 37 years, 56 days | |
December 31, 1833 – March 3, 1835 | John King | GA | Jacksonian | 34 years, 272 days | 35 years, 335 days | |
March 4, 1835 – December 5, 1836 | Robert Walker | MS | Jacksonian | 33 years, 228 days | 35 years, 139 days | |
December 5, 1836 – February 2, 1837 | Ambrose Sevier[lower-alpha 7] | AR | Jacksonian | 35 years, 31 days | 35 years, 90 days | |
February 2, 1837 – March 3, 1837 | Alexandre Mouton | LA | Jacksonian | 32 years, 75 days | 32 years, 105 days | |
March 4, 1837 – January 11, 1841 | Franklin Pierce | NH | Democratic | 32 years, 101 days | 36 years, 49 days | |
January 11, 1841 – February 7, 1842 | Alfred Nicholson | TN | Democratic | 32 years, 133 days | 33 years, 160 days | |
February 7, 1842 – February 28, 1842 | Franklin Pierce | NH | Democratic | 37 years, 76 days | 37 years, 97 days | |
February 28, 1842 – March 1, 1842 | Alexandre Mouton | LA | Democratic | 37 years, 101 days | 37 years, 102 days | |
March 1, 1842 – April 14, 1842 | William Graham | NC | Whig | 37 years, 177 days | 37 years, 221 days | |
April 14, 1842 – July 6, 1842 | Charles Conrad | LA | Whig | 37 years, 111 days | 37 years, 194 days | |
July 6, 1842 – March 3, 1843 | William Dayton | NJ | Whig | 35 years, 139 days | 36 years, 15 days | |
March 4, 1843 – December 4, 1843 | Ned Hannegan | IN | Democratic | 35 years, 252 days | 36 years, 162 days | |
December 4, 1843 – March 3, 1845 | David Atchison | MO | Democratic | 36 years, 115 days | 37 years, 205 days | |
March 4, 1845 – March 3, 1847 | Jesse Bright | IN | Democratic | 32 years, 76 days | 34 years, 76 days | |
March 4, 1847 – June 26, 1848 | Stephen Douglas | IL | Democratic | 33 years, 315 days | 35 years, 64 days | |
June 26, 1848 – December 14, 1853 | Isaac Walker | WI | Democratic | 32 years, 237 days | 38 years, 42 days | |
December 14, 1853 – March 3, 1855 | Clement Clay | AL | Democratic | 37 years, 1 day | 38 years, 81 days | |
March 3, 1855 – March 5, 1860 | George Pugh | OH | Democratic | 32 years, 96 days | 37 years, 98 days | |
March 5, 1860 – January 22, 1863 | Milton Latham[lower-alpha 7] | CA | Democratic | 32 years, 287 days | 35 years, 244 days | |
January 22, 1863 – March 3, 1863 | David Turpie | IN | Democratic | 34 years, 198 days | 34 years, 239 days | |
March 4, 1863 – June 23, 1868 | William Sprague | RI | Republican | 32 years, 173 days | 37 years, 285 days | |
June 23, 1868 – June 30, 1868 | Alexander McDonald | AR | Republican | 36 years, 74 days | 36 years, 81 days | |
June 30, 1868 – July 25, 1868 | Thomas Osborn | FL | Republican | 35 years, 113 days | 35 years, 138 days | |
July 25, 1868 – March 3, 1873 | George Spencer | AL | Republican | 31 years, 267 days | 36 years, 123 days | |
March 4, 1873 – March 3, 1879 | Stephen Dorsey | AR | Republican | 31 years, 4 days | 37 years, 4 days | |
March 4, 1879 – March 3, 1881 | Blanche Bruce[lower-alpha 10] | MS | Republican | 38 years, 3 days | 40 years, 3 days | |
March 4, 1881 – October 11, 1881 | Arthur Gorman | MD | Democratic | 41 years, 358 days | 42 years, 214 days | |
October 11, 1881 – March 3, 1883 | Nelson Aldrich | RI | Republican | 39 years, 339 days | 41 years, 118 days | |
March 4, 1883 – December 2, 1889 | John Kenna[lower-alpha 7] | WV | Democratic | 34 years, 328 days | 41 years, 236 days | |
December 2, 1889 – March 3, 1891 | Richard Pettigrew | SD | Republican | 41 years, 132 days | 42 years, 224 days | |
March 4, 1891 – January 24, 1895 | John Irby | SC | Democratic | 36 years, 175 days | 40 years, 136 days | |
January 24, 1895 – March 3, 1895 | Jeter Pritchard | NC | Republican | 37 years, 196 days | 37 years, 235 days | |
March 4, 1895 – March 3, 1901 | Marion Butler | NC | Populist | 31 years, 288 days | 37 years, 288 days | |
March 4, 1901 – March 3, 1905[lower-alpha 11] | Albert Beveridge | IN | Republican | 38 years, 149 days | 42 years, 149 days | |
Joseph Bailey[lower-alpha 7] | TX | Democratic | 38 years, 149 days | 42 years, 149 days | ||
March 4, 1905 – January 30, 1907 | Elmer Burkett | NE | Republican | 37 years, 93 days | 39 years, 60 days | |
January 30, 1907 – March 3, 1907 | Frederick Mulkey | OR | Republican | 33 years, 24 days | 33 years, 57 days | |
March 4, 1907 – December 11, 1907 | Simon Guggenheim | CO | Republican | 39 years, 64 days | 39 years, 346 days | |
December 11, 1907 – December 26, 1907 | Thomas Gore | OK | Democratic | 37 years, 1 day | 37 years, 16 days | |
December 26, 1907 – March 22, 1908 | William Bryan[lower-alpha 12] | FL | Democratic | 31 years, 77 days | 31 years, 164 days | |
March 22, 1908 – January 9, 1911 | Thomas Gore | OK | Democratic | 37 years, 103 days | 40 years, 30 days | |
January 9, 1911 – January 31, 1911 | Davis Elkins | WV | Republican | 34 years, 350 days | 35 years, 7 days | |
January 31, 1911 – March 3, 1911 | Thomas Gore | OK | Democratic | 40 years, 52 days | 40 years, 84 days | |
March 4, 1911 – March 3, 1917 | Luke Lea | TN | Democratic | 31 years, 326 days | 37 years, 326 days | |
March 4, 1917 – July 8, 1918 | Peter Gerry | RI | Democratic | 37 years, 167 days | 38 years, 293 days | |
July 8, 1918 – November 5, 1918 | Christie Benet | SC | Democratic | 38 years, 194 days | 38 years, 314 days | |
November 5, 1918 – March 3, 1919 | Peter Gerry | RI | Democratic | 39 years, 48 days | 39 years, 167 days | |
March 4, 1919 – March 3, 1923 | Pat Harrison | MS | Democratic | 37 years, 187 days | 41 years, 187 days | |
March 4, 1923 – March 3, 1925 | Clarence Dill | WA | Democratic | 38 years, 164 days | 40 years, 164 days | |
March 4, 1925 – December 7, 1925 | Sam Bratton | NM | Democratic | 36 years, 197 days | 37 years, 110 days | |
December 7, 1925 – January 12, 1933 | Bob La Follette | WI | Republican | 30 years, 304 days | 37 years, 341 days | |
January 12, 1933 – June 21, 1935 | Richard Russell | GA | Democratic | 35 years, 71 days | 37 years, 231 days | |
June 21, 1935 – October 17, 1940 | Rush Holt[lower-alpha 13] | WV | Democratic | 30 years, 2 days | 35 years, 120 days | |
October 17, 1940 – December 12, 1940 | Joseph Ball | MN | Republican | 34 years, 349 days | 35 years, 39 days | |
December 12, 1940 – December 6, 1942 | Berkeley Bunker | NV | Democratic | 34 years, 122 days | 36 years, 116 days | |
December 6, 1942 – January 3, 1943 | Henry Lodge | MA | Republican | 40 years, 154 days | 40 years, 182 days | |
January 3, 1943 – November 14, 1944 | Joseph Ball | MN | Republican | 37 years, 61 days | 39 years, 11 days | |
November 14, 1944 – January 3, 1945 | William Jenner | IN | Republican | 36 years, 116 days | 36 years, 166 days | |
January 3, 1945 – January 18, 1945 | Joseph Ball | MN | Republican | 39 years, 61 days | 39 years, 76 days | |
January 18, 1945 – August 26, 1945 | Hugh Mitchell | WA | Democratic | 37 years, 302 days | 38 years, 157 days | |
August 26, 1945 – January 3, 1947 | William Knowland | CA | Republican | 37 years, 61 days | 38 years, 191 days | |
January 3, 1947 – December 31, 1948 | Joseph McCarthy | WI | Republican | 38 years, 50 days | 40 years, 47 days | |
December 31, 1948 – January 3, 1957 | Russell Long[lower-alpha 14] | LA | Democratic | 30 years, 58 days | 38 years, 61 days | |
January 3, 1957 – June 15, 1961 | Frank Church | ID | Democratic | 32 years, 162 days | 36 years, 325 days | |
June 15, 1961 – December 7, 1961 | John Tower | TX | Republican | 35 years, 259 days | 36 years, 69 days | |
December 7, 1961 – November 6, 1962 | Moe Murphy | NH | Republican | 34 years, 65 days | 35 years, 35 days | |
November 7, 1962 – January 3, 1969 | Ted Kennedy | MA | Democratic | 30 years, 258 days | 36 years, 316 days | |
January 3, 1969 – January 2, 1971 | Bob Packwood | OR | Republican | 36 years, 114 days | 38 years, 113 days | |
January 2, 1971 – January 3, 1973 | John Tunney | CA | Democratic | 36 years, 190 days | 38 years, 191 days | |
January 3, 1973 – January 3, 1979 | Joe Biden[lower-alpha 15] | DE | Democratic | 30 years, 44 days | 36 years, 44 days | |
January 3, 1979 – January 3, 1981 | Bill Bradley | NJ | Democratic | 35 years, 159 days | 37 years, 159 days | |
January 3, 1981 – March 11, 1987 | Don Nickles[lower-alpha 16] | OK | Republican | 32 years, 28 days | 38 years, 95 days | |
March 11, 1987 – January 3, 1989 | David Karnes | NE | Republican | 38 years, 89 days | 40 years, 22 days | |
January 3, 1989 – January 3, 1993 | Don Nickles | OK | Republican | 40 years, 28 days | 44 years, 28 days | |
January 3, 1993 – January 3, 1995 | Russ Feingold | WI | Democratic | 39 years, 307 days | 41 years, 307 days | |
January 3, 1995 – January 3, 1999 | Rick Santorum | PA | Republican | 36 years, 238 days | 40 years, 238 days | |
January 3, 1999 – January 3, 2003 | Peter Fitzgerald | IL | Republican | 38 years, 75 days | 42 years, 75 days | |
January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2009 | John Sununu | NH | Republican | 38 years, 115 days | 44 years, 115 days | |
January 3, 2009 – January 22, 2009 | Mark Pryor[lower-alpha 17] | AR | Democratic | 45 years, 359 days | 46 years, 12 days | |
January 22, 2009 – January 27, 2009 | Michael Bennet | CO | Democratic | 44 years, 55 days | 44 years, 60 days | |
January 27, 2009 – September 10, 2009 | Kirsten Gillibrand[lower-alpha 18] | NY | Democratic | 42 years, 49 days | 42 years, 275 days | |
September 10, 2009 – July 20, 2010 | George LeMieux | FL | Republican | 40 years, 112 days | 41 years, 60 days | |
July 20, 2010 – November 15, 2010 | Carte Goodwin | WV | Democratic | 36 years, 143 days | 36 years, 261 days | |
November 15, 2010 – January 3, 2011 | George LeMieux | FL | Republican | 41 years, 178 days | 41 years, 227 days | |
January 3, 2011 – December 26, 2012 | Mike Lee | UT | Republican | 39 years, 213 days | 41 years, 205 days | |
December 26, 2012 – January 3, 2013 | Brian Schatz | HI | Democratic | 40 years, 67 days | 42 years, 75 days | |
January 3, 2013 – January 3, 2015 | Chris Murphy | CT | Democratic | 39 years, 153 days | 41 years, 153 days | |
January 3, 2015 – January 3, 2019 | Tom Cotton | AR | Republican | 37 years, 235 days | 41 years, 235 days | |
January 3, 2019 – January 20, 2021 | Josh Hawley | MO | Republican | 39 years, 3 days | 41 years, 20 days | |
January 20, 2021 – present | Jon Ossoff | GA | Democratic | 33 years, 339 days | 33 years, 355 days |
List of youngest U.S. representatives
For Congressmembers elected to a regular session, the starting date is the date at which the new Congress convened. From 1789 to 1935, this is March 4 (with the previous Congress ending on March 3); from 1937 onward, this is January 3.
For Congressmembers elected in a special election, the starting date represents their swearing-in date.
Duration | Congress | Name | District | Party | Start age[lower-alpha 19] | End age | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
March 4, 1789 – April 19, 1790 | 1st | Richard Lee | VA-04 | Pro-Administration | 28 years, 43 days | 29 years, 89 days | |
April 19, 1790 – March 3, 1791 | 1st | John Steele | NC-04 | Pro-Administration | 25 years, 154 days | 26 years, 108 days | |
March 3, 1791 – March 3, 1793 | 2nd | John Steele | NC-01 | Pro-Administration | 26 years, 108 days | 28 years, 108 days | |
March 4, 1793 – March 3, 1795 | 3rd | Francis Preston | VA-04 | Anti-Administration | 27 years, 214 days | 29 years, 214 days | |
March 4, 1795 – May 5, 1796 | 4th | Nathaniel Freeman | MA-05 | Federalist | 28 years, 307 days | 30 years, 4 days | |
May 5, 1796 – March 3, 1797 | 4th | Richard Sprigg | MD-02 | Democratic-Republican | 26–27 | 27–28 | |
March 4, 1797 – November 23, 1797 | 5th | John Dennis | MD-08 | Federalist | 25 years, 77 days | 25 years, 341 days | |
November 23, 1797 – March 3, 1801 | 5th–6th | William Claiborne[lower-alpha 20] | TN-AL | Democratic-Republican | 21–22 | 25–26 | |
March 4, 1801 – December 6, 1802 | 7th | John Stanly | NC-10 | Federalist | 26 years, 329 days | 28 years, 241 days | |
December 6, 1802 – March 3, 1803 | 7th | Samuel Thatcher | MA-12 | Federalist | 27 years, 158 days | 26 years, 246 days | |
March 4, 1803 – March 4, 1805 | 8th–9th | John Jackson | VA-01 | Democratic-Republican | 25 years, 163 days | 27 years, 163 days | |
March 4, 1805 – December 1, 1806 | 9th | John Claiborne | VA-17 | Democratic-Republican | 27 years, 37 days | 28 years, 309 days | |
December 1, 1806 – January 26, 1807 | 9th | William Burwell | VA-13 | Democratic-Republican | 26 years, 261 days | 26 years, 317 days | |
January 26, 1807 – March 3, 1807 | 9th | William Bibb[lower-alpha 6][lower-alpha 21] | GA-AL | Democratic-Republican | 25 years, 116 days | 25 years, 153 days | |
March 4, 1807 – March 3, 1809 | 10th | Jesse Wharton[lower-alpha 21][lower-alpha 22] | TN-03 | Democratic-Republican | 24 years, 218 days | 26 years, 218 days | |
March 4, 1809 – November 27, 1809 | 11th | William Bibb[lower-alpha 6][lower-alpha 21] | GA-AL | Democratic-Republican | 27 years, 153 days | 28 years, 56 days | |
November 27, 1809 – March 3, 1811 | 11th | Jonathan Jennings | IN-AL[lower-alpha 23] | Democratic-Republican | 25 years, 245 days | 26 years, 342 days | |
March 4, 1811 – November 4, 1811 | 12th | William King[lower-alpha 24] | NC-05 | Democratic-Republican | 24 years, 331 days | 25 years, 211 days | |
November 4, 1811 – March 3, 1815 | 12th–13th | Stevenson Archer | MD-06 | Democratic-Republican | 25 years, 24 days | 28 years, 144 days | |
March 4, 1815 – December 17, 1816 | 14th | Richard Wilde | GA-AL | Democratic-Republican | 25 years, 161 days | 27 years, 84 days | |
December 17, 1816 – March 3, 1817 | 14th | John Tyler | VA-23 | Democratic-Republican | 26 years, 263 days | 26 years, 340 days | |
March 4, 1817 – December 4, 1818 | 15th | George Robertson | KY-07 | Democratic-Republican | 26 years, 106 days | 28 years, 16 days | |
December 4, 1818 – March 3, 1819 | 15th | John McLean | IL-AL | Democratic-Republican | 27 years, 303 days | 28 years, 28 days | |
March 4, 1819 – March 3, 1823[lower-alpha 25] | 16th–17th | Daniel Cook | IL-AL | Democratic-Republican | 24–25 | 28–29 | |
December 4, 1822 – March 3, 1823[lower-alpha 25] | 17th | Andrew Govan | SC-04 | Democratic-Republican | 28 years, 325 days | 29 years, 50 days | |
March 4, 1823 – March 3, 1825 | 18th | Thomas Moore | KY-07 | Jacksonian Republican | 25–26 | 27–28 | |
March 4, 1825 – March 3, 1827 | 19th | John Bryan | NC-04 | Jacksonian | 26 years, 120 days | 28 years, 120 days | |
March 4, 1827 – February 13, 1828 | 20th | William Nuckolls | SC-07 | Jacksonian | 26 years, 9 days | 26 years, 355 days | |
February 13, 1828 – March 3, 1829 | 20th | Ambrose Sevier[lower-alpha 21] | AR-AL[lower-alpha 26] | Jacksonian | 26 years, 101 days | 27 years, 120 days | |
March 4, 1829 – March 3, 1831[lower-alpha 27] | 21st | Dixon Lewis | AL-03 | Jacksonian | 26 years, 206 days | 28 years, 206 days | |
Spencer Pettis | MO-AL | Jacksonian | 26–27 | 28–29 | |||
March 4, 1831 – March 3, 1833 | 22nd | Albert Hawes | KY-11 | Jacksonian | 26 years, 337 days | 28 years, 337 days | |
March 4, 1833 – March 3, 1835 | 23rd | David Dickinson[lower-alpha 28] | TN-08 | Jacksonian | 24 years, 267 days | 26 years, 267 days | |
March 4, 1835 – March 3, 1837 | 24th | John Claiborne | MS-AL | Jacksonian | 25 years, 314 days | 27 years, 314 days | |
March 4, 1837 – March 3, 1839 | 25th | Joseph Williams | TN-03 | Whig | 26 years, 132 days | 28 years, 132 days | |
March 4, 1839 – March 3, 1841 | 26th | Albert Brown | MS-AL | Democratic | 25 years, 277 days | 27 years, 277 days | |
March 4, 1841 – March 3, 1843 | 27th | John Mason | MD-06 | Democratic | 25 years, 299 days | 27 years, 299 days | |
March 4, 1843 – March 3, 1845 | 28th | Alexander Ramsey | PA-14 | Whig | 27 years, 177 days | 29 years, 177 days | |
March 4, 1845 – March 3, 1847 | 29th | Lucien Chase | TN-09 | Democratic | 27 years, 89 days | 29 years, 89 days | |
March 4, 1847 – March 3, 1849 | 30th | Richard Donnell | NC-08 | Whig | 26 years, 165 days | 28 years, 165 days | |
March 4, 1849 – March 3, 1851 | 31st | James Orr | SC-02 | Democratic | 26 years, 296 days | 28 years, 296 days | |
March 4, 1851 – March 3, 1853 | 32nd | William Churchwell | TN-03 | Democratic | 25 years, 12 days | 27 years, 12 days | |
March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1855 | 33rd | Milton Latham[lower-alpha 21] | CA-AL | Democratic | 25 years, 285 days | 27 years, 285 days | |
March 4, 1855 – July 23, 1856 | 34th | William Cumback | IN-04 | People's | 25 years, 345 days | 27 years, 121 days | |
July 23, 1856 – March 3, 1857 | 34th | Miguel Otero[lower-alpha 29] | NM-AL[lower-alpha 30] | Democratic | 27 years, 32 days | 27 years, 256 days | |
March 4, 1857 – December 3, 1860 | 35th–36th | Albert Jenkins[lower-alpha 31] | VA-11 | Democratic | 26 years, 114 days | 30 years, 23 days | |
December 3, 1860 – March 3, 1861 | 36th | John Brown[lower-alpha 31] | KY-05 | Democratic | 25 years, 158 days | 25 years, 249 days | |
March 4, 1861 – January 13, 1862 | 37th | Edward McPherson | PA-17 | Republican | 30 years, 216 days | 31 years, 166 days | |
January 13, 1862 – March 3, 1863 | 37th | Andrew Clements | TN-04 | Unionist | 29 years, 21 days | 30 years, 71 days | |
March 4, 1863 – March 3, 1865 | 38th | John McBride | OR-AL | Republican | 30 years, 194 days | 32 years, 194 days | |
March 3, 1865 – March 3, 1867 | 39th | Thomas Noell[lower-alpha 32] | MO-03 | Republican | 25 years, 335 days | 27 years, 335 days | |
March 4, 1867 – October 3, 1867 | 40th | Thomas Noell[lower-alpha 33] | MO-03 | Democratic | 27 years, 335 days | 28 years, 183 days | |
October 3, 1867 – June 24, 1868 | 40th | Charles Haight | NJ-02 | Democratic | 29 years, 272 days | 30 years, 172 days | |
June 24, 1868 – March 3, 1869 | 40th | Logan Roots | AR-01 | Republican | 27 years, 90 days | 27 years, 343 days | |
March 4, 1869 – March 31, 1870 | 41st | Clinton Cobb | NC-01 | Republican | 26 years, 191 days | 27 years, 218 days | |
March 31, 1870 – March 3, 1871 | 41st | John Conner | TX-02 | Democratic | 27 years, 178 days | 28 years, 151 days | |
March 4, 1871 – January 29, 1873 | 42nd | Josiah Walls[lower-alpha 34] | FL-AL | Republican | 28 years, 64 days | 30 years, 20 days | |
January 29, 1873 – March 3, 1873 | 42nd | John Conner | TX-02 | Democratic | 30 years, 107 days | 30 years, 151 days | |
March 4, 1873 – March 3, 1875 | 43rd | John Smith | VA-03 | Republican | 25 years, 162 days | 27 years, 162 days | |
March 4, 1875 – March 3, 1877 | 44th | John White | KY-09 | Republican | 26 years, 47 days | 28 years, 47 days | |
March 4, 1877 – February 20, 1878 | 45th | John Kenna[lower-alpha 21] | WV-03 | Democratic | 28 years, 328 days | 29 years, 316 days | |
February 20, 1878 – March 3, 1879 | 45th | Joseph Acklen | LA-03 | Democratic | 27 years, 276 days | 28 years, 288 days | |
March 4, 1879 – March 3, 1881 | 46th | Richard Frost | MO-03 | Democratic | 27 years, 65 days | 29 years, 65 days | |
March 4, 1881 – March 3, 1883 | 47th | Henry Dugro | NY-07 | Democratic | 25 years, 152 days | 27 years, 152 days | |
March 4, 1883 – December 1, 1884 | 48th | George Post | PA-15 | Democratic | 28 years, 184 days | 30 years, 91 days | |
December 1, 1884 – March 3, 1885 | 48th | Benjamin Shively[lower-alpha 35] | IN-13 | Anti-Monopoly/ Greenback |
27 years, 256 days | 27 years, 349 days | |
March 4, 1885 – February 2, 1887 | 49th | Bob La Follette | WI-03 | Republican | 29 years, 263 days | 31 years, 233 days | |
February 2, 1887 – March 3, 1887 | 49th | Hugh Price | WI-08 | Republican | 27 years, 62 days | 27 years, 92 days | |
March 4, 1887 – March 3, 1889 | 50th | Benjamin Shively[lower-alpha 35] | IN-13 | Democratic | 29 years, 349 days | 31 years, 349 days | |
March 4, 1889 – December 9, 1889 | 51st | Thomas Magner | NY-05 | Democratic | 28 years, 361 days | 29 years, 276 days | |
December 9, 1889 – March 3, 1891 | 51st | Charles Turner | NY-06 | Democratic | 28 years, 197 days | 29 years, 282 days | |
March 4, 1891 – May 5, 1892 | 52nd | Joseph Bailey[lower-alpha 21] | TX-05 | Democratic | 28 years, 149 days | 29 years, 212 days | |
May 5, 1892 – March 3, 1893 | 52nd | Joseph Kendall | KY-10 | Democratic | 28 years, 359 days | 29 years, 296 days | |
March 4, 1893 – March 3, 1895 | 53rd | Thomas Settle | NC-05 | Republican | 27 years, 359 days | 29 years, 359 days | |
March 4, 1895 – December 19, 1896 | 54th | Norman Mozley | MO-14 | Republican | 29 years, 83 days | 31 years, 8 days | |
December 19, 1896 – March 3, 1897 | 54th | Charles Crisp | GA-03 | Democratic | 26 years, 61 days | 26 years, 136 days | |
March 4, 1897 – March 3, 1899 | 55th | Thomas Bradley | NY-09 | Democratic | 27 years, 61 days | 29 years, 61 days | |
March 4, 1899 – March 3, 1901 | 56th | John Fitzgerald | NY-02 | Democratic | 26 years, 359 days | 28 years, 359 days | |
March 4, 1901 – March 3, 1903 | 57th | John Feely | IL-02 | Democratic | 25 years, 215 days | 27 years, 215 days | |
March 4, 1903 – March 3, 1905 | 58th | Burton French | ID-AL | Republican | 27 years, 215 days | 29 years, 215 days | |
March 4, 1905 – March 3, 1907 | 59th | Anthony Michalek | IL-05 | Republican | 27 years, 47 days | 29 years, 47 days | |
March 4, 1907 – March 3, 1909 | 60th | Harry Wolf | MD-03 | Democratic | 26 years, 261 days | 28 years, 261 days | |
March 4, 1909 – November 23, 1909 | 61st | Charles Edwards | GA-01 | Democratic | 30 years, 245 days | 31 years, 144 days | |
November 23, 1909 – March 3, 1911 | 61st | Manuel Quezon | PH-AL[lower-alpha 36] | Nacionalista | 31 years, 96 days | 32 years, 197 days | |
March 4, 1911 – June 2, 1911 | 62nd | James Byrnes | SC-02 | Democratic | 28 years, 306 days | 29 years, 31 days | |
June 2, 1911 – March 3, 1913 | 62nd | William Reyburn | PA-02 | Republican | 28 years, 167 days | 30 years, 77 days | |
March 4, 1913 – December 7, 1914 | 63rd | Clyde Kelly | PA-30 | Republican | 29 years, 212 days | 31 years, 125 days | |
December 7, 1914 – March 3, 1915 | 63rd | Carl Vinson | GA-10 | Democratic | 31 years, 19 days | 31 years, 106 days | |
March 4, 1915 – March 3, 1917 | 64th | Thomas Miller | DA-AL | Republican | 28 years, 251 days | 30 years, 251 days | |
March 4, 1917 – August 10, 1917 | 65th | Marvin Jones | TX-13 | Democratic | 35 years, 6 days | 35 years, 165 days | |
August 10, 1917 – August 19, 1919 | 65th–66th | John Baer[lower-alpha 37] | ND-01 | Republican | 31 years, 134 days | 33 years, 143 days | |
August 19, 1919 – December 6, 1920 | 66th | King Swope | KY-08 | Republican | 26 years, 9 days | 27 years, 118 days | |
December 6, 1920 – March 3, 1921 | 66th | Clarence McLeod | MI-13 | Republican | 25 years, 156 days | 25 years, 244 days | |
March 4, 1921 – March 3, 1923 | 67th | Thomas Ryan | NY-15 | Republican | 32 years, 260 days | 34 years, 260 days | |
March 4, 1923 – March 3, 1925 | 68th | Clarence McLeod | MI-13 | Republican | 27 years, 244 days | 29 years, 244 days | |
March 4, 1925 – March 3, 1927 | 69th | Samuel Montgomery | OK-01 | Republican | 28 years, 93 days | 30 years, 93 days | |
March 4, 1927 – March 3, 1929 | 70th | George Combs | MO-05 | Democratic | 27 years, 306 days | 29 years, 306 days | |
March 4, 1929 – March 7, 1932 | 71st–72nd | Fred Hartley | NJ-08 | Republican | 27 years, 10 days | 30 years, 14 days | |
March 7, 1932 – March 3, 1933 | 72nd | Carlton Mobley | GA-06 | Democratic | 25 years, 91 days | 26 years, 87 days | |
March 4, 1933 – January 3, 1935 | 73rd | Joseph Monaghan | MT-01 | Democratic | 26 years, 343 days | 28 years, 283 days | |
January 3, 1935 – January 3, 1937 | 74th | Elmer Ryan | MN-02 | Democratic | 27 years, 222 days | 29 years, 222 days | |
January 3, 1937 – January 3, 1939 | 75th | Jerry O'Connell | MT-01 | Democratic | 27 years, 203 days | 29 years, 203 days | |
January 3, 1939 – January 3, 1941 | 76th | Lindley Beckworth | TX-03 | Democratic | 25 years, 187 days | 27 years, 187 days | |
January 3, 1941 – January 3, 1943 | 77th | William Stratton | IL-AL | Republican | 26 years, 312 days | 28 years, 311 days | |
January 3, 1943 – January 21, 1943 | 78th | Lindley Beckworth | TX-03 | Democratic | 29 years, 187 days | 29 years, 205 days | |
January 21, 1943 – January 3, 1947 | 78th–79th | Marion Bennett | MO-06 | Republican | 28 years, 229 days | 32 years, 211 days | |
January 3, 1947 – December 4, 1948 | 80th | George Sarbacher | PA-05 | Republican | 27 years, 95 days | 29 years, 65 days | |
December 4, 1948 – January 3, 1949 | 80th | Lloyd Bentsen[lower-alpha 38] | TX-15 | Democratic | 27 years, 297 days | 27 years, 327 days | |
January 3, 1949 – January 3, 1951 | 81st | Hugo Sims | SC-02 | Democratic | 27 years, 81 days | 29 years, 81 days | |
January 3, 1951 – January 3, 1953 | 82nd | Patrick Hillings | CA-12 | Republican | 27 years, 318 days | 29 years, 319 days | |
January 3, 1953 – January 3, 1955 | 83rd | William Wampler | VA-09 | Republican | 26 years, 277 days | 28 years, 277 days | |
January 3, 1955 – December 13, 1955 | 84th | Kenneth Gray | IL-25 | Democratic | 30 years, 50 days | 31 years, 29 days | |
December 13, 1955 – January 3, 1959 | 84th–85th | John Dingell | MI-15 | Democratic | 29 years, 158 days | 32 years, 179 days | |
January 3, 1959 – January 3, 1961 | 86th | Dan Rostenkowski | IL-08 | Democratic | 31 years, 1 day | 33 years, 1 day | |
January 3, 1961 – January 3, 1963 | 87th | Ralph Harding | ID-02 | Democratic | 31 years, 116 days | 33 years, 116 days | |
January 3, 1963 – May 12, 1964 | 88th | Ed Foreman | TX-16 | Republican | 29 years, 12 days | 30 years, 142 days | |
May 12, 1964 – January 3, 1965 | 88th | William Green | PA-05 | Democratic | 25 years, 323 days | 26 years, 193 days | |
January 3, 1965 – January 3, 1967 | 89th | Jed Johnson | OK-06 | Democratic | 25 years, 7 days | 27 years, 7 days | |
January 3, 1967 – April 3, 1969 | 90th–91st | William Green | PA-05 | Democratic | 28 years, 193 days | 30 years, 283 days | |
April 3, 1969 – November 16, 1970 | 91st | Dave Obey | WI-07 | Democratic | 30 years, 182 days | 32 years, 44 days | |
November 16, 1970 – January 3, 1971 | 91st | Robert Steele | CT-02 | Republican | 32 years, 13 days | 32 years, 61 days | |
January 3, 1971 – April 29, 1971 | 92nd | Dawson Mathis | GA-02 | Democratic | 30 years, 34 days | 30 years, 150 days | |
April 29, 1971 – October 12, 1972 | 92nd | Mendel Davis | SC-01 | Democratic | 28 years, 188 days | 29 years, 355 days | |
October 12, 1972 – January 3, 1975 | 92nd–93rd | John Breaux | LA-07 | Democratic | 28 years, 225 days | 30 years, 308 days | |
January 3, 1975 – January 3, 1977 | 94th | Thomas Downey | NY-02 | Democratic | 25 years, 340 days | 27 years, 341 days | |
January 3, 1977 – January 3, 1979 | 95th | Nick Rahall | WV-04 | Democratic | 27 years, 228 days | 29 years, 228 days | |
January 3, 1979 – January 3, 1981 | 96th | James Shannon | MA-05 | Democratic | 26 years, 274 days | 28 years, 274 days | |
January 3, 1981 – January 3, 1983 | 97th | John LeBoutillier | NY-06 | Republican | 27 years, 222 days | 29 years, 222 days | |
January 3, 1983 – January 3, 1985[lower-alpha 39] | 98th | Jim Cooper | TN-04 | Democratic | 28 years, 198 days | 30 years, 198 days | |
November 6, 1984 – January 3, 1985 | 98th | Carl Perkins[lower-alpha 39] | KY-07 | Democratic | 30 years, 92 days | 30 years, 150 days | |
January 3, 1985 – March 20, 1990 | 99th–101st | John Rowland[lower-alpha 40] | CT-05 | Republican | 27 years, 224 days | 32 years, 300 days | |
March 20, 1990 – January 3, 1991 | 101st | Susan Molinari[lower-alpha 41] | NY-14 | Republican | 31 years, 358 days | 32 years, 282 days | |
January 3, 1991 – January 3, 1993 | 102nd | Jim Nussle | IA-02 | Republican | 30 years, 190 days | 32 years, 190 days | |
January 3, 1993 – January 3, 1995 | 103rd | Cleo Fields | LA-04 | Democratic | 30 years, 42 days | 32 years, 42 days | |
January 3, 1995 – January 3, 1997 | 104th | Patrick Kennedy | RI-01 | Democratic | 27 years, 173 days | 29 years, 173 days | |
January 3, 1997 – January 3, 2001 | 105th–106th | Harold Ford Jr. | TN-09 | Democratic | 26 years, 237 days | 30 years, 237 days | |
January 3, 2001 – January 3, 2005 | 107th–108th | Adam Putnam | FL-12 | Republican | 26 years, 156 days | 30 years, 156 days | |
January 3, 2005 – January 3, 2009 | 109th–110th | Patrick McHenry | NC-10 | Republican | 29 years, 73 days | 33 years, 73 days | |
January 3, 2009 – January 3, 2013 | 111th–112th | Aaron Schock | IL-18 | Republican | 27 years, 220 days | 31 years, 220 days | |
January 3, 2013 – January 3, 2015 | 113th | Patrick Murphy | FL-18 | Democratic | 29 years, 279 days | 31 years, 279 days | |
January 3, 2015 – January 3, 2019 | 114th–115th | Elise Stefanik[lower-alpha 42] | NY-21 | Republican | 30 years, 185 days | 34 years, 185 days | |
January 3, 2019 – January 3, 2021 | 116th | Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez[lower-alpha 43] | NY-14 | Democratic | 29 years, 82 days | 31 years, 82 days | |
January 3, 2021 – present | 117th | Madison Cawthorn | NC-11 | Republican | 25 years, 155 days | 25 years, 188 days |
Notes
- Some resources regard Gallatin only as a Senator-elect because of the challenge to his credentials, hence Rutherfurd could be considered the youngest official senator during this period. Gallatin was ultimately disqualified from service.
- Tattnall's precise birthdate in 1762 is unknown. Since both he and Ross were born the same year, credited both with the designation for youngest for the period from the swearing-in of Tattnall in April 1796 until the swearing-in of Stockton in December 1796, who was younger than both.
- Clay was elected and served in the U.S. Senate while under the Constitutional age requirement of 30 at the age of 29 years.
- Whiteside's precise birth date in 1772 is unknown. Since both he and Crawford were born the same year, credited both with the designation for youngest for the period from the swearing-in of Whiteside in 1809 until the swearing-in of Campbell in 1810, who was younger than both.
- Bulloch's precise birth date in 1777 is unknown. Since both he and Horsey were born the same year, credited both with the designation for youngest for the 3 days from Bulloch's swearing-in until the swearing-in of Goldsborough, who was younger than both.
- Bibb was the first person to be both the youngest member of the U.S. House and the youngest senator.
- Also held title of youngest member of the U.S. House.
- Mason elected and served in the U.S. Senate while under the Constitutional age requirement of 30 at the age of 28 years, 5 months.
- Eaton was elected and served in the U.S. Senate while under the Constitutional age requirement of 30. At 28 years, 4 months, he was the youngest ever to serve in that body.
- Bruce became the first non-white youngest senator.
- Beveridge and Bailey were both born on October 6, 1862.
- Bryan was the youngest U.S. Senator to die in office at the age of 31.
- Holt was the youngest popularly elected Senator at 29 years and 4 months in November 1934. He was not permitted to take the oath of office until after his 30th birthday in June 1935.
- Long served the longest uninterrupted tenure as the youngest U.S. Senator at 8 years and 3 days. He was surpassed by Nickles in overall time, but Nickles's tenure was interrupted.
- Biden was elected at the age of 29 years, 11 months, but turned 30 before the start of his term.
- Nickles served the longest period as the youngest senator at 10 years, 2 months, 8 days, though this combined tenure was interrupted by Karnes (Republican, Nevada), who was six days younger, from 1987 to 1988. Long served the longest period uninterrupted at 8 years and 3 days.
- Pryor set the record as the oldest youngest Senator in the body's history at 46 years until the swearing-in of Bennet in January 2009.
- Gillibrand was youngest woman elected to the Senate.
- Until about the 34th Congress and rarely after, some members did not have birth years or birthdates listed. The approximate age of those members has been attempted to be ascertained using available biographical descriptions, although some of these descriptions were very limited. If more than one member had a birth year but not birthdate listed, both have been credited with being the youngest during the period (until the next confirmed younger member was sworn-in).
- Claiborne was the youngest-ever elected and seated member of Congress at approximately the age of 22, despite being below the Constitutional age requirement.
- Also held title of youngest member of the U.S. Senate.
- Although Wharton was 24 at the time of the official start of the 10th Congress in March 1807, it did not convene until October 1807 after he turned 25.
- Indiana was not yet a state and this member was a non-voting U.S. Delegate.
- Although King was 24 at the time of the official start of the 12th Congress in March 1811, it did not convene until November 1811 after he turned 25.
- During part of the 17th Congress, credited Cook and Govan with sharing the title of youngest member. Both were born in 1794, but birthdate for Cook was unknown, so credited both.
- Arkansas was not yet a state and Sevier was a non-voting U.S. Delegate.
- Lewis and Pettis were both born in 1802, but unknown birthdate for Pettis, so credited both with youngest for the 21st Congress.
- Although Dickinson was 24 at the time of the official start of the 23rd Congress in March 1833, it did not convene until November 1833 after he turned 25.
- Otero was the first Hispanic youngest member of the U.S. House.
- New Mexico was not yet a state and Otero was a non-voting U.S. Delegate.
- Although Brown was elected at the start of the 36th Congress, being just 24 at the time of the election, he was not permitted to take his seat until the second session in December 1860 after his 25th birthday, so Jenkins retained the title of youngest until Brown's swearing-in.
- Noell was elected as a Republican to the 39th Congress and reelected to the 40th Congress as a Democrat.
- Noell was the youngest known member of Congress to die in office at 28 while holding the youngest title.
- Walls was the first Black youngest member of the U.S. House.
- Shively was elected to a vacancy in the 48th Congress as an Anti-Monopolist/Greenbacker-supported candidate. He was elected to the 50th Congress as a Democrat.
- As the Philippines was a territory of the U.S., Quezon was a non-voting member of Congress.
- Baer was the oldest youngest member of the U.S. House at the age of 33 years and 133 days at the time he was succeeded in August 1919. This record would be broken by Stefanik in 2017. Baer retains the record of oldest male to be a youngest member.
- Bentsen served the shortest period as the youngest member of the U.S. House at just 31 days.
- Perkins was elected to Congress to fill a vacancy on November 6, 1984, and was younger than titleholder Cooper, but owing to the 98th Congress having adjourned sine die, he was not sworn-in until the 99th Congress, by which time Rowland, who was younger than Perkins, claimed the title. Credited Cooper until the end of the 99th Congress as an official Congressman, as opposed to a Congressman-elect, but noted Perkins due to the unusual circumstances.
- Rowland served the longest period as the youngest member of the U.S. House at 5 years, 2 months.
- Molinari was the first woman to hold the title of youngest member of the U.S. House.
- Stefanik became the oldest youngest member of the U.S. House on November 13, 2017 at the age of 33 years and 134 days, breaking the 98-year record of Baer. She was 34 years and 185 days old when succeeded in the position of youngest member on January 3, 2019.
- Ocasio-Cortez is the youngest woman ever elected to Congress and the first Hispanic woman to hold the title of youngest member.
References
- Steinhauer, Jennifer (2010-11-11). "Many Political Newcomers Joining Congress". New York Times. Retrieved 2018-06-28.
- O'Connor, Ema (November 7, 2018). "An Unprecedented Number Of Women Just Won Elections Across The Country". BuzzFeed.
- Thanawala, Sudhin (January 6, 2021). "Ossoff seals Democrats' sweep; will be youngest US senator". Associated Press. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
- Republican Josh Hawley unseats Democratic McCaskill in U.S. Senate battle. Fox News.
- Rogers, Alex (November 7, 2018). "Democrats to take Senate as Ossoff wins runoff, CNN projects". CNN.
- Bostock, Bill (January 6, 2021). "Jon Ossoff is the youngest Democrat elected to the Senate since Joe Biden in 1973". Business Insider India. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
- Palmer, Brian (January 2, 2013). "Democracy or Gerontocracy: Is Congress getting older?". Slate.
- "Youngest Senator". United States Senate.
Sources: Congressional Biographical Directory and House Document No. 108-222, Biographical Directory of the United States Congress 1774 – 2005