The Unbelievable Decades-Long Careers of Massachusetts’ Longest-Serving Leaders

Some Massachusetts politicians make a lifetime out of serving in public office – literally.

Federal Office Records: From Ed Markey to Ted Kennedy

U.S. Senator Ed Markey marked his 50th year in Congress in 2026, having served 37 years in the U.S. House of Representatives (November 1976 to July 2013) before winning a special election for the U.S. Senate in 2013, where he remains today.

Thomas "Tip" O'Neill, known as the "Man of the House," represented Massachusetts in Congress for 34 years, including 10 years as Speaker.

Edward M. "Ted" Kennedy was Massachusetts' longest-serving U.S. Senator, serving nearly 47 years from 1962 until his death from brain cancer in 2009.

Some Massachusetts Politicians Literally Spend A Lifetime In Office

Local Governance Legends: Record-Breaking Mayors and City Councilors

On the home front, the title of longest-serving elected official serving in Massachusetts goes to William "Ronnie" Collamore, who served 49 years on the Holyoke School Committee after being elected in 1976.

Collamore retired from the school committee in December of 2025 and sadly passed away on September 19, 2026. He was 92.

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New Bedford Mayor Charles Sumner Ashley, Sr. is the longest-serving mayor in New Bedford history, serving 32 years across 25 terms. The record for the longest-serving mayor in Massachusetts history, though, goes to Dean Mazzarella, elected in 1993 and still serving as Leominster's mayor after 33 years.

Some Massachusetts Politicians Literally Spend A Lifetime In Office

New Bedford's Brian Gomes is making a run for the title of longest-serving city councilor in Massachusetts history. Gomes has completed 34 years on the council but trails Boston's Charles Yancy, who served for 38 years from 1983 to 2021. Fall River's Leo Pelletier served 35 years before retiring in 2023.

Rep. Kevin Honan is the longest currently serving member of the Massachusetts Legislature. Honan, who lives in Boston's Brighton neighborhood, has served in the House for 39 years. New Bedford Rep. Antonio "Tony" Cabral is closing in on 35 years in office.

Statewide Executive Records: Bill Galvin's Decades of Service

Secretary of State William "Bill" Galvin is the longest-serving statewide constitutional officer in Massachusetts history, serving in the Massachusetts House from 1975 to 1991 and as Secretary of the Commonwealth since 1995.