Nevada became the 36th state to join the Union on October 31, 1864. Nevada’s first two senators, William Stewart and James Nye, took office on February 1, 1865. Nevada’s longest-serving senators include John P. Jones (1873-1903), Key Pittman (1913-1940), and Howard Cannon (1959-1983). Among those who rose to leadership positions are Key Pittman, who served as the Senate’s president pro tempore, and Harry Reid, who served as Democratic whip and leader.