Hoyer breaks congressional longevity mark for Maryland

This week, Hoyer (D-Dist. 5) of Mechanicsville eclipsed Rep. George Hyde Fallon as Maryland’s longest serving representative, a mark that has stood for more than 35 years.

Hoyer was first elected in 1981 to fill the vacancy left by former Rep. Gladys Noon Spellman, who resigned after a stroke rendered her comatose. Hoyer is serving his 14th term in the House and has represented Southern Maryland and parts of Prince George’s County since 1993 when the district lines were redrawn.

‘‘It is hard to believe that twenty-six years have passed since I was elected to the U.S. House, but in reaching this milestone I consider myself incredibly thankful for the opportunity given to me by the great people of Maryland’s 5th District to serve as their representative in Congress,” Hoyer said in a statement. ‘‘It has been both a remarkable honor and a personal privilege, and I hope I have helped to make a positive difference in the lives of the people I have so proudly served all these years.”

Hundreds of politicians and supporters will pay tribute to Hoyer’s length of service record on Friday at his 27th annual bull roast fundraiser in Mitchellville.

Fallon, a Democrat, represented Maryland’s 4th Congressional District from 1945 to 1971. He was defeated in the 1970 Democratic primary by Paul S. Sarbanes, who served three terms in the House and 30 years in the U.S. Senate, making him Maryland’s longest-serving federal officeholder.

The national record for longest-serving House member belongs to the late Rep. Jamie L. Whitten of Mississippi, who served for more than 53 years. Rep. John D. Dingell Jr. of Michigan, who has served since December 1955, has the longest tenure among current representatives.