For how many years is a U.S. Senator elected?

A U.S. Senator is elected for a term of six years. This duration is established by the Constitution, which aims to provide stability and continuity in the Senate. The six-year term allows Senators to engage in longer-term planning and policymaking, rather than being preoccupied with frequent re-election campaigns. Additionally, Senate elections are staggered, meaning that approximately one-third of the 100 Senate seats are up for election every two years. This system ensures that the Senate is not entirely renewed at once, allowing for experienced members to remain in office while new members are elected, thus maintaining a continuous legislative process.

The other options reflect the terms for different elected offices; representatives in the House serve two-year terms, while there are no fixed four or eight-year terms for federal senators.