List of governors of Kentucky

The Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky is the head of government of Kentucky,[1] and serves as commander-in-chief of the state's military forces.[2] The governor has a duty to enforce state laws;[3] the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Kentucky General Assembly;[4] the power to convene the legislature;[5] and the power to grant pardons, except in cases of treason and impeachment.[6] The governor is also empowered to reorganize the state government or reduce it in size. Historically, the office has been regarded as one of the most powerful executive positions in the United States.[7]

Fifty-nine individuals have held the office of Governor. Prior to a 1992 amendment to the state's constitution, the Governor was prohibited from succeeding himself or herself in office, though four men (Isaac Shelby, John L. Helm, James B. McCreary and Happy Chandler) served multiple non-consecutive terms. Paul E. Patton, the first Kentucky Governor eligible for a second consecutive term under the amendment, won his reelection bid in 1999. James Garrard succeeded himself in 1800, before the constitutional provision existed. Garrard is also the longest serving Governor, serving for a total period of 8 years and 90 days.

William Goebel, who was elected to the office in the disputed election of 1899, remains the only Governor of any U.S. state to die from assassination while in office.[8] Goebel is also the shortest serving Governor, serving for a period of only 3 days. Martha Layne Collins, who held the office from 1983 to 1987, was the first woman to serve as governor and was only the third woman to serve as governor of any U.S. state who was not the wife or widow of a previous governor.[7] The 63rd and current Kentucky Governor is Democrat Andy Beshear, who took office on December 10, 2019.

Governors

Kentucky was initially Kentucky County in Virginia. It achieved statehood and was admitted to the Union on June 1, 1792; see the list of governors of Virginia for the period before statehood. There have been 59 governors, serving 63 distinct terms.

An unelected group proclaimed Kentucky's secession from the Union on November 20, 1861, and it was annexed by the Confederate States of America on December 10, 1861. The Confederate government elected two governors (listed separately), but it never held much control over the state, and the main line of governors was preserved.

The original 1792 Kentucky Constitution had the governor chosen by an electoral college for a term of four years.[9] The second constitution in 1799 changed this to a popular vote, and prevented governors from succeeding themselves within seven years of their terms.[10] The third constitution in 1850 reduced the succession limitation to four years.[11] A 1992 amendment to the constitution allowed governors to have a second term before being prevented from succeeding themselves for four years.[12]

Governors of the Commonwealth of Kentucky
No.[lower-alpha 1] Governor Term in office Party Election Lt. Governor[lower-alpha 2][lower-alpha 3]
1   Isaac Shelby
    December 11, 1750 – July 18, 1826   
(aged 75)		 June 4, 1792
–
June 7, 1796
(not candidate for election)		 Democratic-
Republican		 1792 Office did not exist
2 James Garrard
    January 14, 1749 – January 19, 1822   
(aged 73)		 June 7, 1796
–
September 5, 1804
(term limited)		 Democratic-
Republican		 1796
1800   Alexander Scott Bullitt
3 Christopher Greenup
    1750 – April 27, 1818   
(aged 67 or 68)		 September 5, 1804
–
September 1, 1808
(term limited)		 Democratic-
Republican		 1804 John Caldwell
(died November 19, 1804)
Vacant
  Thomas Posey
(acting, elected Speaker in 1805)
4 Charles Scott
    April 1739 – October 22, 1813   
(aged 74)		 September 1, 1808
–
August 24, 1812
(term limited)		 Democratic-
Republican		 1808 Gabriel Slaughter
5 Isaac Shelby
    December 11, 1750 – July 18, 1826   
(aged 75)		 August 24, 1812
–
September 5, 1816
(term limited)		 Democratic-
Republican		 1812 Richard Hickman
6 George Madison
    June 1763 – October 14, 1816   
(aged 53)		 September 5, 1816
–
October 14, 1816
(died in office)		 Democratic-
Republican		 1816 Gabriel Slaughter
7 Gabriel Slaughter
    December 12, 1767 – September 19, 1830   
(aged 62)		 October 14, 1816
–
August 29, 1820
(not candidate for election)		 Democratic-
Republican		 Succeeded from
Lieutenant
Governor		 Vacant
8 John Adair
    January 9, 1757 – May 19, 1830   
(aged 83)		 August 29, 1820
–
August 24, 1824
(term limited)		 Democratic-
Republican		 1820 William T. Barry
9 Joseph Desha
    December 9, 1768 – October 11, 1842   
(aged 73)		 August 24, 1824
–
August 26, 1828
(term limited)		 Democratic-
Republican		 1824 Robert B. McAfee
10 Thomas Metcalfe
    March 20, 1780 – August 18, 1855   
(aged 75)		 August 26, 1828
–
September 4, 1832
(term limited)		 National
Republican		 1828 John Breathitt[lower-alpha 4]
11 John Breathitt
    September 9, 1786 – February 21, 1834   
(aged 47)		 September 4, 1832
–
February 21, 1834
(died in office)		 Democratic 1832 James Turner Morehead[lower-alpha 5]
12 James Turner Morehead
    May 24, 1797 – December 28, 1854   
(aged 57)		 February 21, 1834
–
August 30, 1836
(not candidate for election)		 National
Republican[lower-alpha 6]		 Succeeded from
Lieutenant
Governor		 Vacant
13 James Clark
    January 16, 1779 – August 27, 1839   
(aged 60)		 August 30, 1836
–
August 27, 1839
(died in office)		 Whig 1836 Charles A. Wickliffe
14 Charles A. Wickliffe
    June 8, 1788 – October 31, 1869   
(aged 81)		 August 27, 1839
–
September 2, 1840
(not candidate for election)		 Whig Succeeded from
Lieutenant
Governor		 Vacant
15 Robert P. Letcher
    February 10, 1788 – January 24, 1861   
(aged 72)		 September 2, 1840
–
September 4, 1844
(term limited)		 Whig 1840 Manlius Valerius Thomson
16 William Owsley
    March 24, 1782 – December 9, 1862   
(aged 80)		 September 4, 1844
–
September 6, 1848
(term limited)		 Whig 1844 Archibald Dixon
17 John J. Crittenden
    September 10, 1787 – July 26, 1863   
(aged 75)		 September 6, 1848
–
July 31, 1850
(resigned)[lower-alpha 7]		 Whig 1848[lower-alpha 8] John L. Helm
18 John L. Helm
    July 4, 1802 – September 8, 1867   
(aged 65)		 July 31, 1850
–
September 2, 1851
(not candidate for election)		 Whig Succeeded from
Lieutenant
Governor		 Vacant
19 Lazarus W. Powell
    October 6, 1812 – July 3, 1867   
(aged 54)		 September 2, 1851
–
September 4, 1855
(term limited)		 Democratic 1851 John Burton Thompson[lower-alpha 9]
20 Charles S. Morehead
    July 7, 1802 – December 21, 1868   
(aged 66)		 September 4, 1855
–
August 30, 1859
(term limited)		 Know Nothing 1855 James Greene Hardy
21 Beriah Magoffin
    April 18, 1815 – February 28, 1885   
(aged 69)		 August 30, 1859
–
August 18, 1862
(resigned)[lower-alpha 10]		 Democratic 1859 Linn Boyd
(died December 17, 1859)
Vacant
22 James Fisher Robinson
    October 4, 1800 – October 31, 1882   
(aged 82)		 August 18, 1862
–
September 1, 1863
(not candidate for election)		 Democratic Succeeded from
President of
the Senate
23 Thomas E. Bramlette
    January 3, 1817 – January 12, 1875   
(aged 58)		 September 1, 1863
–
September 3, 1867
(term limited)		 Democratic 1863 Richard Taylor Jacob
24 John L. Helm
    July 4, 1802 – September 8, 1867   
(aged 65)		 September 3, 1867
–
September 8, 1867
(died in office)		 Democratic 1867 John W. Stevenson
25 John W. Stevenson
    May 4, 1812 – August 10, 1886   
(aged 74)		 September 8, 1867
–
February 3, 1871
(resigned)[lower-alpha 11]		 Democratic Succeeded from
Lieutenant
Governor		 Vacant
1868
(special)
26 Preston Leslie
    March 8, 1819 – February 7, 1907   
(aged 87)		 February 3, 1871
–
August 31, 1875
(term limited)		 Democratic Succeeded from
President of
the Senate
1871 John G. Carlisle
27 James B. McCreary
    July 8, 1838 – October 8, 1918   
(aged 80)		 August 31, 1875
–
September 2, 1879
(term limited)		 Democratic 1875 John C. Underwood
28 Luke P. Blackburn
    June 16, 1816 – September 14, 1887   
(aged 71)		 September 2, 1879
–
September 5, 1883
(term limited)		 Democratic 1879 James E. Cantrill
29 J. Proctor Knott
    August 29, 1830 – June 18, 1911   
(aged 80)		 September 5, 1883
–
August 30, 1887
(term limited)		 Democratic 1883 James R. Hindman
30 Simon Bolivar Buckner
    April 1, 1823 – January 8, 1914   
(aged 90)		 August 30, 1887
–
September 2, 1891
(term limited)		 Democratic 1887 James William Bryan
31 John Y. Brown
    June 28, 1835 – January 11, 1904   
(aged 68)		 September 2, 1891
–
December 10, 1895
(term limited)		 Democratic 1891 Mitchell Cary Alford
32 William O'Connell Bradley
    March 18, 1847 – May 23, 1914   
(aged 67)		 December 10, 1895
–
December 12, 1899
(term limited)		 Republican 1895 William Jackson Worthington
33 William S. Taylor
    October 10, 1853 – August 2, 1928   
(aged 74)		 December 12, 1899
–
January 31, 1900
(removed from office)[lower-alpha 12]		 Republican 1899 John Marshall
34 William Goebel
    January 4, 1856 – February 3, 1900   
(aged 44)		 January 31, 1900
–
February 3, 1900
(died in office)[lower-alpha 12]		 Democratic J. C. W. Beckham
35 J. C. W. Beckham
    August 5, 1869 – January 9, 1940   
(aged 70)		 February 3, 1900
–
December 10, 1907
(term limited)		 Democratic Succeeded from
Lieutenant
Governor[lower-alpha 12]		 Vacant
1900
(special)
1903 William P. Thorne
36 Augustus E. Willson
    October 13, 1846 – August 24, 1931   
(aged 84)		 December 10, 1907
–
December 12, 1911
(term limited)		 Republican 1907 William Hopkinson Cox
37 James B. McCreary
    July 8, 1838 – October 8, 1918   
(aged 80)		 December 12, 1911
–
December 7, 1915
(term limited)		 Democratic 1911 Edward J. McDermott
38 Augustus Owsley Stanley
    May 21, 1867 – August 12, 1958   
(aged 91)		 December 7, 1915
–
May 19, 1919
(resigned)[lower-alpha 13]		 Democratic 1915 James D. Black
39 James D. Black
    September 24, 1849 – August 5, 1938   
(aged 88)		 May 19, 1919
–
December 9, 1919
(lost election)		 Democratic Succeeded from
Lieutenant
Governor		 Vacant
40 Edwin P. Morrow
    November 28, 1877 – June 15, 1935   
(aged 57)		 December 9, 1919
–
December 11, 1923
(term limited)		 Republican 1919 S. Thruston Ballard
41 William J. Fields
    December 29, 1874 – October 8, 1954   
(aged 79)		 December 11, 1923
–
December 13, 1927
(term limited)		 Democratic 1923 Henry Denhardt
42 Flem D. Sampson
    January 23, 1875 – May 25, 1967   
(aged 92)		 December 13, 1927
–
December 8, 1931
(term limited)		 Republican 1927 James Breathitt Jr.[lower-alpha 4]
43 Ruby Laffoon
    January 15, 1869 – March 1, 1941   
(aged 72)		 December 8, 1931
–
December 10, 1935
(term limited)		 Democratic 1931 Happy Chandler
44 Happy Chandler
    July 14, 1898 – June 15, 1991   
(aged 92)		 December 10, 1935
–
October 9, 1939
(resigned)[lower-alpha 14]		 Democratic 1935 Keen Johnson
45 Keen Johnson
    January 12, 1896 – February 7, 1970   
(aged 74)		 October 9, 1939
–
December 7, 1943
(term limited)		 Democratic Succeeded from
Lieutenant
Governor		 Vacant
1939 Rodes K. Myers
46 Simeon Willis
    December 1, 1879 – April 2, 1965   
(aged 85)		 December 7, 1943
–
December 9, 1947
(term limited)		 Republican 1943 Kenneth H. Tuggle
47 Earle Clements
    October 22, 1896 – March 12, 1985   
(aged 88)		 December 9, 1947
–
November 27, 1950
(resigned)[lower-alpha 15]		 Democratic 1947 Lawrence Wetherby
48 Lawrence Wetherby
    January 2, 1908 – March 27, 1994   
(aged 86)		 November 27, 1950
–
December 13, 1955
(term limited)		 Democratic Succeeded from
Lieutenant
Governor		 Vacant
1951 Emerson Beauchamp
49 Happy Chandler
    July 14, 1898 – June 15, 1991   
(aged 92)		 December 13, 1955
–
December 8, 1959
(term limited)		 Democratic 1955 Harry Lee Waterfield
50 Bert Combs
    August 13, 1911 – December 4, 1991   
(aged 80)		 December 8, 1959
–
December 10, 1963
(term limited)		 Democratic 1959 Wilson W. Wyatt
51 Ned Breathitt
    November 26, 1924 – October 14, 2003   
(aged 78)		 December 10, 1963
–
December 12, 1967
(term limited)		 Democratic 1963 Harry Lee Waterfield
52 Louie Nunn
    March 8, 1924 – January 29, 2004   
(aged 79)		 December 12, 1967
–
December 7, 1971
(term limited)		 Republican 1967 Wendell Ford[lower-alpha 4]
53 Wendell Ford
    September 8, 1924 – January 22, 2015   
(aged 90)		 December 7, 1971
–
December 28, 1974
(resigned)[lower-alpha 16]		 Democratic 1971 Julian Carroll
54 Julian Carroll
    (1931-04-16) April 16, 1931		 December 28, 1974
–
December 11, 1979
(term limited)		 Democratic Succeeded from
Lieutenant
Governor		 Vacant
1975 Thelma Stovall
55 John Y. Brown Jr.
    (1933-12-28) December 28, 1933		 December 11, 1979
–
December 13, 1983
(term limited)		 Democratic 1979 Martha Layne Collins
56 Martha Layne Collins
    (1936-12-07) December 7, 1936		 December 13, 1983
–
December 8, 1987
(term limited)		 Democratic 1983 Steve Beshear
57 Wallace Wilkinson
    December 12, 1941 – July 5, 2002   
(aged 60)		 December 8, 1987
–
December 10, 1991
(term limited)		 Democratic 1987 Brereton Jones
58 Brereton C. Jones
    (1939-06-27) June 27, 1939		 December 10, 1991
–
December 12, 1995
(term limited)		 Democratic 1991 Paul E. Patton
59 Paul E. Patton
    (1937-05-26) May 26, 1937		 December 12, 1995
–
December 9, 2003
(term limited)		 Democratic 1995 Steve Henry
1999
60 Ernie Fletcher
    (1952-11-12) November 12, 1952		 December 9, 2003
–
December 11, 2007
(lost election)		 Republican 2003 Steve Pence
61 Steve Beshear
    (1944-09-21) September 21, 1944		 December 11, 2007
–
December 8, 2015
(term limited)		 Democratic 2007 Daniel Mongiardo
2011 Jerry Abramson
(resigned November 13, 2014)
Crit Luallen
62 Matt Bevin
    (1967-01-09) January 9, 1967		 December 8, 2015
–
December 10, 2019
(lost election)		 Republican 2015 Jenean Hampton
63 Andy Beshear
    (1977-11-29) November 29, 1977		 December 10, 2019
–
Incumbent[lower-alpha 17]		 Democratic 2019 Jacqueline Coleman

Living former governors of Kentucky

As of 25 October 2022, there are eight living former governors of Kentucky, the oldest being Julian Carroll (served 1974–1979, born 1931). The most recent governor of Kentucky to die was Wendell Ford (served 1971–1974, born 1924) on January 22, 2015.[15] The most recently serving governor of Kentucky to die was Wallace Wilkinson (served 1987–1991, born 1941) on July 5, 2002.

GovernorGubernatorial termDate of birth (and age)
Julian Carroll 1974–1979 (1931-04-16) April 16, 1931
John Y. Brown Jr. 1979–1983 (1933-12-28) December 28, 1933
Martha Layne Collins 1983–1987 (1936-12-07) December 7, 1936
Paul E. Patton 1995–2003 (1937-05-26) May 26, 1937
Brereton C. Jones 1991–1995 (1939-06-27) June 27, 1939
Steve Beshear 2007–2015 (1944-09-21) September 21, 1944
Ernie Fletcher 2003–2007 (1952-11-12) November 12, 1952
Matt Bevin 2015–2019 (1967-01-09) January 9, 1967

Confederate governors
George W. Johnson, 1st Confederate Governor of Kentucky
Richard Hawes, 2nd Confederate Governor of Kentucky

During the Civil War, a group of secessionists met at Russellville to form a Confederate government for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. This government never successfully displaced the government in Frankfort, and Kentucky remained in the Union through the entire war. Two men were elected governor of the Confederate government: George W. Johnson, who served from November 20, 1861, to his death on April 8, 1862, at the Battle of Shiloh, and, on Johnson's death, Richard Hawes, who served until the Confederate surrender on April 9, 1865. The Confederate government disbanded shortly after the end of the war in 1865.[16]

See also
  • Timeline of Kentucky history

Notes
  1. The state labels Matt Bevin as the 62nd governor;[13] based on this, subsequent terms of repeat governors are numbered.
  2. The office of Lieutenant Governor was created in the 1799 constitution.[14]
  3. Lieutenant governors represented the same party as their governor unless noted.
  4. Represented the Democratic Party.
  5. Represented the National Republican Party.
  6. The National Republican Party changed its name to the Whig Party in 1834.
  7. Crittenden resigned to be Attorney General of the United States.
  8. The 1850 Constitution shifted the election schedule forward, shortening this term by a year.
  9. Represented the Whig Party.
  10. Magoffin resigned due to his disagreement with the state legislature over neutrality in the American Civil War.
  11. Stevenson resigned to take an elected seat in the United States Senate.
  12. Taylor won the 1899 election and was sworn into office. However, the legislature challenged the validity of his win, claiming ballot fraud. His challenger, Goebel, was shot on January 30, 1900, but was named governor by the legislature and sworn in the next day; he died three days later. Since Lieutenant Governor Marshall's win had also been invalidated, Beckham, having been named lieutenant governor, succeeded Goebel.
  13. Stanley resigned to take an elected seat in the United States Senate.
  14. Chandler resigned so that his successor would appoint him to the United States Senate.
  15. Clements resigned to take an elected seat in the United States Senate.
  16. Ford resigned to take an elected seat in the United States Senate.
  17. Beshear's first term expires on December 12, 2023.

References
General
  • "Kentucky's Governors". Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives. Archived from the original on July 8, 2010. Retrieved July 13, 2010.
  • "Governors of Kentucky". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on 2011-03-16. Retrieved January 18, 2008.
  • "Texts of the Constitutions of Kentucky". Kentucky Court of Justice. Archived from the original on 2010-03-18. Retrieved January 18, 2008.
Constitution
Specific
  1. KY Const. art. 69.
  2. KY Const. art. 75.
  3. KY Const. art. 81
  4. KY Const. art. 88.
  5. KY Const. art. 80.
  6. KY Const. art. 77.
  7. Kleber, John E., ed. (1992). "Governor, Office of". The Kentucky Encyclopedia. Lexington: The University Press of Kentucky. ISBN 0-8131-1772-0.
  8. Kleber, John E., ed. (1992). "Goebel Assassination". The Kentucky Encyclopedia. Lexington: The University Press of Kentucky. ISBN 0-8131-1772-0.
  9. 1799 Const. art. II, § 2–3
  10. 1799 Const. art. III, § 3–4
  11. 1850 Const. art. III, § 3
  12. KY Const. art. 71
  13. "Governor Matt Bevin". Governor of Kentucky. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
  14. 1799 Const. art. II, § 15
  15. Clymer, Adam (January 22, 2015). "Wendell Ford, 90, Dies; Kentucky Senator Pushed Voting Rights". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 3, 2015.
  16. Kleber, John E., ed. (1992). "Confederate Government". The Kentucky Encyclopedia. Lexington, Kentucky: The University Press of Kentucky. ISBN 0-8131-1772-0.
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