List of Governors of Delaware

The Governor of Delaware (President of Delaware from 1776 to 1792) is the head of the executive branch of Delaware's state government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces. The governor has a duty to enforce state laws, and the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Delaware Legislature, to convene the legislature,[2] and to grant pardons, except in cases of impeachment, and only with the recommendation of the Board of Pardons.[3]

There have been 70 people who have served as governor, over 73 distinct terms. Additionally, Henry Molleston was elected, but died before he could take office. Only four governors have been elected to two consecutive terms, with the longest-serving being Ruth Ann Minner, who was elected twice after succeeding to the office, serving a total of just over eight years. The shortest term is that of Dale E. Wolf, who served 18 days following his predecessor's resignation; David P. Buckson served 19 days under similar circumstances. The current governor is Jack Markell, who took office on January 20, 2009; his second term expires on January 17, 2017, when the governor-elect, John Carney, will take office.

Governors

For the period before independence, see the List of colonial governors of Pennsylvania.

Between 1681 and 1776, Delaware was a colony of the Kingdom of Great Britain, administered by colonial governors in Pennsylvania as the "Lower Counties on Delaware".

In 1776, soon after Delaware and the other Thirteen Colonies declared independence from Britain, the state adopted its first state constitution. It created the office of President of Delaware, a chief executive to be chosen by the legislature to serve a term of three years.[4]

The office of President was renamed Governor by the constitution of 1792,[5] which set the commencement date of the term to the third Tuesday in the January following an election, and limited governors to serving only three out of any six years.[6] The term was lengthened to four years by the 1831 constitution, but governors were limited to a single term.[7] The current constitution of 1897 allows governors to serve two terms.[8]

The 1776 constitution stated that if the presidency were vacant, the speaker of the legislative council would be a vice-president.[9] The 1792 constitution has the speaker of the senate exercising the office when it is vacant, and the 1897 constitution created the office of lieutenant governor,[10] upon whom the office devolves in case of vacancy.[11] The offices of governor and lieutenant governor are elected at the same time but not on the same ticket.

Parties

  American (1)   Democratic (21)[a]   Democratic-Republican (5)[a]   Federalist (13)[b]   National Republican (1)   No party (9)   Republican (17)   Whig (6)[a]

#[c] Portrait Governor[d] Term in office Party Term[e] Lt. Governor[f][g]
1 Blank.gif   John McKinly February 12, 1777
–
September 12, 1777		 No parties 1
(1777)
[h]		 Office did not exist
— — Interregnum September 12, 1777
–
September 22, 1777
2 ThomasMcKean.gif Thomas McKean September 22, 1777
–
October 20, 1777
3 GeorgeRead.gif George Read October 20, 1777
–
March 31, 1778
4 CaesarRodney.jpeg Caesar Rodney March 31, 1778
–
November 6, 1781		 2
(1778)
5 JohnDickinson4.gif John Dickinson November 13, 1781
–
January 12, 1783		 3
(1781)
[i]
6 Blank.gif John Cook November 4, 1782
–
February 1, 1783
7 Blank.gif Nicholas Van Dyke February 1, 1783
–
October 28, 1786		 4
(1783)
8 ThomasCollins.gif Thomas Collins October 28, 1786
–
March 29, 1789		 5
(1786)
[j]
9 Blank.gif Jehu Davis March 29, 1789
–
June 2, 1789
10 JoshuaClayton.gif Joshua Clayton June 2, 1789
–
January 19, 1796		 Federalist 6
(1789)
7
(1792)
11 Blank.gif Gunning Bedford, Sr. January 19, 1796
–
September 30, 1797		 Federalist 8
(1795)
[k]
12 Blank.gif Daniel Rogers September 30, 1797
–
January 9, 1799		 Federalist
13 Richard bassett.jpg Richard Bassett January 9, 1799
–
March 3, 1801		 Federalist 9
(1798)
[l]
14 Blank.gif James Sykes March 3, 1801
–
January 19, 1802		 Federalist
15 Blank.gif David Hall January 19, 1802
–
January 15, 1805		 Democratic-Republican 10
(1801)
16 Blank.gif Nathaniel Mitchell January 15, 1805
–
January 19, 1808		 Federalist 11
(1804)
17 Blank.gif George Truitt January 19, 1808
–
January 15, 1811		 Federalist 12
(1807)
18 Blank.gif Joseph Haslet January 15, 1811
–
January 18, 1814		 Democratic-Republican 13
(1810)
19 Daniel Rodney.jpg Daniel Rodney January 18, 1814
–
January 21, 1817		 Federalist 14
(1813)
20 Blank.gif John Clark January 21, 1817
–
January 18, 1820		 Federalist 15
(1816)
— Blank.gif Henry Molleston – Federalist 16
(1819)
[m]
21 Blank.gif Jacob Stout January 18, 1820
–
January 16, 1821		 Federalist
22 Blank.gif John Collins January 16, 1821
–
April 16, 1822		 Democratic-Republican
23 Blank.gif Caleb Rodney April 23, 1822
–
January 21, 1823		 Federalist
24 Blank.gif Joseph Haslet January 21, 1823
–
June 20, 1823		 Democratic-Republican 17
(1822)
[n]
25 Blank.gif Charles Thomas June 23, 1823
–
January 20, 1824		 Democratic-Republican
26 SamuelPaynter.gif Samuel Paynter January 20, 1824
–
January 16, 1827		 Federalist 18
(1823)
27 CharlesPolk.png Charles Polk, Jr. January 16, 1827
–
January 19, 1830		 Federalist 19
(1826)
28 DavidHazzard.png David Hazzard January 19, 1830
–
January 15, 1833		 National Republican 20
(1829)
29 CalebBennett.png Caleb P. Bennett January 15, 1833
–
July 11, 1836		 Democratic 21
(1832)
[o][p]
30 CharlesPolk.png Charles Polk, Jr. July 11, 1836
–
January 17, 1837		 Whig
31 CorneliusComegys.png Cornelius P. Comegys January 17, 1837
–
January 19, 1841		 Whig 22
(1836)
32 Blank.gif William B. Cooper January 19, 1841
–
January 21, 1845		 Whig 23
(1840)
33 ThomasStockton.gif Thomas Stockton January 21, 1845
–
March 2, 1846		 Whig 24
(1844)
[q]
34 Blank.gif Joseph Maull March 2, 1846
–
May 3, 1846		 Whig
35 WilliamTemple.gif William Temple May 6, 1846
–
January 19, 1847		 Whig
36 WilliamTharp.gif William Tharp January 19, 1847
–
January 21, 1851		 Democratic 25
(1846)
37 WilliamTharp.gif William H. H. Ross January 21, 1851
–
January 16, 1855		 Democratic 26
(1850)
38 PeterCausey.gif Peter F. Causey January 16, 1855
–
January 18, 1859		 American 27
(1854)
39 William Burton (governor).jpg William Burton January 18, 1859
–
January 20, 1863		 Democratic 28
(1858)
40 WilliamCannon.gif William Cannon January 20, 1863
–
March 1, 1865		 Republican 29
(1862)
[r]
41 GoveSaulsbury.gif Gove Saulsbury March 1, 1865
–
January 17, 1871		 Democratic
30
(1866)
42 JamesPonder.gif James Ponder January 17, 1871
–
January 19, 1875		 Democratic 31
(1870)
43 CochranJohn.png John P. Cochran January 19, 1875
–
January 21, 1879		 Democratic 32
(1874)
44 HallJohnWood.gif John W. Hall January 21, 1879
–
January 16, 1883		 Democratic 33
(1878)
45 StockleyCharles.gif Charles C. Stockley January 16, 1883
–
January 18, 1887		 Democratic 34
(1882)
46 BenjaminBiggs.png Benjamin T. Biggs January 18, 1887
–
January 20, 1891		 Democratic 35
(1886)
47 RobertReynolds.gif Robert J. Reynolds January 20, 1891
–
January 15, 1895		 Democratic 36
(1890)
48 MarvilJoshua.gif Joshua H. Marvil January 15, 1895
–
April 8, 1895		 Republican 37
(1894)
[s]
49 WilliamTharpWatson.gif William T. Watson April 8, 1895
–
January 19, 1897		 Democratic
50 Ebetunnell.png Ebe W. Tunnell January 19, 1897
–
January 15, 1901		 Democratic 38
(1896)
51 Hunn.gif John Hunn January 15, 1901
–
January 17, 1905		 Republican 39
(1900)		   Philip L. Cannon
52 Preston Lea.gif Preston Lea January 17, 1905
–
January 19, 1909		 Republican 40
(1904)		 Isaac T. Parker
53 Pennewill.gif Simeon S. Pennewill January 19, 1909
–
January 21, 1913		 Republican 41
(1908)		 John M. Mendinhall
54 Miller 2989417695 76253e1e15 o.jpg Charles R. Miller January 21, 1913
–
January 16, 1917		 Republican 42
(1912)		 Colen Ferguson[t]
55 John G. Townsend, Jr.jpg John G. Townsend, Jr. January 16, 1917
–
January 18, 1921		 Republican 43
(1916)		 Lewis T. Eliason[t]
56 Blank.gif William D. Denney January 18, 1921
–
January 20, 1925		 Republican 44
(1920)		 J. Danforth Bush
57 Blank.gif Robert P. Robinson January 20, 1925
–
January 15, 1929		 Republican 45
(1924)		 James H. Anderson
58 C. Douglass Buck.jpg C. Douglass Buck January 15, 1929
–
January 19, 1937		 Republican 46
(1928)		 James H. Hazel
47
(1932)		 Roy F. Corley
59 Blank.gif Richard C. McMullen January 19, 1937
–
January 21, 1941		 Democratic 48
(1936)		 Edward W. Cooch
60 Blank.gif Walter W. Bacon January 21, 1941
–
January 18, 1949		 Republican 49
(1940)		 Isaac J. MacCollum[t]
50
(1944)		 Elbert N. Carvel[t]
61 Elbert N. Carvel 1962.jpg Elbert N. Carvel January 18, 1949
–
January 20, 1953		 Democratic 51
(1948)		 Alexis I. du Pont Bayard
62 BoggsCaleb.jpg J. Caleb Boggs January 20, 1953
–
December 30, 1960		 Republican 52
(1952)		 John W. Rollins
53
(1956)
[u]		 David P. Buckson
63 David Buckson.png David P. Buckson December 30, 1960
–
January 17, 1961		 Republican Vacant
64 Elbert N. Carvel 1962.jpg Elbert N. Carvel January 17, 1961
–
January 19, 1965		 Democratic 54
(1960)		 Eugene Lammot
65 Blank.gif Charles L. Terry, Jr. January 19, 1965
–
January 21, 1969		 Democratic 55
(1964)		 Sherman W. Tribbitt
66 Blank.gif Russell W. Peterson January 21, 1969
–
January 16, 1973		 Republican 56
(1968)		 Eugene Bookhammer[v]
67 Blank.gif Sherman W. Tribbitt January 16, 1973
–
January 18, 1977		 Democratic 57
(1972)
68 Petedupont.jpg Pierre S. du Pont, IV January 18, 1977
–
January 15, 1985		 Republican 58
(1976)		 James D. McGinnis[t]
59
(1980)		 Michael Castle
69 Mike Castle official portrait.jpg Michael Castle January 15, 1985
–
December 31, 1992		 Republican 60
(1984)		 Shien Biau Woo[t]
61
(1988)
[w]		 Dale E. Wolf
70 Blank.gif Dale E. Wolf December 31, 1992
–
January 19, 1993		 Republican Vacant
71 Tom Carper, official portrait, 112th Congress.jpg Thomas R. Carper January 19, 1993
–
January 3, 2001		 Democratic 62
(1992)		 Ruth Ann Minner
63
(1996)
[x]
72 Ruth Ann Minner.jpg Ruth Ann Minner January 3, 2001
–
January 20, 2009		 Democratic Vacant
64
(2000)		 John Carney
65
(2004)
73 Jack Markell.jpg Jack Markell January 20, 2009
–
Incumbent		 Democratic 66
(2008)		 Matthew P. Denn
(resigned January 6, 2015)
67
(2012)
[y]
Vacant
74 John C. Carney Jr. official portrait 112th Congress.jpg John Carney governor-elect
takes office
January 17, 2017		 Democratic 68
(2016)		 Bethany Hall-Long

Other high offices held

Seventeen of Delaware's governors have held other high offices, with six representing Delaware in the Continental Congress and twelve representing the state in the U.S. Congress. Two have served as President of Pennsylvania. Four (marked with *) resigned to take other offices, three in the U.S. Congress and one to be President of Pennsylvania.

All representatives and senators listed represented Delaware except where noted.

Governor Gubernatorial term Other offices held Source
McKean, ThomasThomas McKean 1777 Continental Delegate (including President of the Continental Congress), President of Pennsylvania [21]
Read, GeorgeGeorge Read 1777–1778 Continental Delegate, Senator [22]
Rodney, CaesarCaesar Rodney 1778–1781 Continental Delegate [23]
Dickinson, JohnJohn Dickinson 1781–1783 Continental Delegate, Continental Delegate from Pennsylvania, President of Pennsylvania* [24]
Van Dyke, NicholasNicholas Van Dyke 1783–1786 Continental Delegate [25]
Clayton, JoshuaJoshua Clayton 1789–1796 Senator [26]
Bassett, RichardRichard Bassett 1799–1801 Senator [27]
Mitchell, NathanielNathaniel Mitchell 1805–1808 Continental Delegate [28]
Rodney, DanielDaniel Rodney 1814–1817 Representative, Senator [29]
Temple, WilliamWilliam Temple 1846–1847 Representative [30]
Biggs, Benjamin T.Benjamin T. Biggs 1887–1891 Representative [31]
Townsend, Jr., John G.John G. Townsend, Jr. 1917–1921 Senator [32]
Buck, C. DouglassC. Douglass Buck 1929–1937 Senator [33]
Boggs, J. CalebJ. Caleb Boggs 1953–1960 Senator* [34]
du Pont, IV, Pierre S.Pierre S. du Pont, IV 1977–1985 Representative [35]
Castle, MichaelMichael Castle 1985–1992 Representative* [36]
Carper, Thomas R.Thomas R. Carper 1993–2001 Representative, Senator* [37]

Living former U.S. governors of Delaware

As of May 2015, there are six former U.S. governors who are currently living at this time, the oldest being David P. Buckson (served 1960–1961, born 1920). The most recent death of a former U.S. governor of Delaware was that of Russell W. Peterson (served 1969–1973, born 1916), who died on February 20, 2011. The most recently serving U.S. governor of Delaware to die was Sherman W. Tribbitt (served 1973–1977, born 1922), who died on August 14, 2010.

Governor Gubernatorial term Date of birth (and age)
David P. Buckson 1960–1961 (1920-07-25) July 25, 1920 (age 96)
Pierre S. du Pont, IV 1977–1985 (1935-01-22) January 22, 1935 (age 81)
Michael Castle 1985–1992 (1939-07-02) July 2, 1939 (age 77)
Dale E. Wolf 1992–1993 (1924-09-06) September 6, 1924 (age 92)
Thomas R. Carper 1993–2001 (1947-01-23) January 23, 1947 (age 69)
Ruth Ann Minner 2001–2009 (1935-01-17) January 17, 1935 (age 81)

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b c Includes one term served by a repeat governor.
  2. ^ Includes one term served by a repeat governor. Henry Molleston, having never taken office, is not included in this number.
  3. ^ The official numbering includes repeat and acting governors.
  4. ^ The highest office of Delaware was named president until 1792.
  5. ^ Each term for which a governor is elected is listed here; if multiple governors served in a single term, due to resignations, deaths, and the like, then that term will be shared among those governors. If a governor was elected multiple times, then there will be multiple terms listed for that governor.
  6. ^ The office of lieutenant governor was created in the 1897 constitution, with the first election taking place in 1900.
  7. ^ Lieutenant governors were members of the same party as the governor except where noted.
  8. ^ McKinly was captured and taken prisoner by British forces.[12] He was exchanged for loyalist Governor William Franklin of New Jersey in August 1778.[13] Most sources do not specify the day McKinly was captured; at least one specifies that McKinly and the city of Wilmington were captured the day after the Battle of Brandywine, which was on September 11, 1777.[14] As Speaker of the Assembly, McKean acted as chief executive until the return of Speaker of the Legislative Council Read from the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, who then served as vice-president for the remainder of the term.[15]
  9. ^ Dickinson was elected President of Pennsylvania and took office November 7, 1782, holding both presidencies simultaneously. Criticism of this caused him to turn administration of the state over to Speaker of the Legislative Council Cook, but Dickinson didn't formally resign until January 12, 1783, whereupon Cook served as vice-president until a special election was held.[16]
  10. ^ Collins died in office; as speaker of the legislative council, Davis served as vice-president for the remainder of the term.
  11. ^ Bedford died in office; as speaker of the senate, Rogers acted as governor for the remainder of the term.
  12. ^ Bassett resigned to take a seat on the United States Third Circuit Court. As speaker of the senate, Sykes acted as governor for the remainder of the term.
  13. ^ Governor-elect Molleston died on November 11, 1819, before taking office. The newly elected state senate chose a speaker, Stout, who would act as governor for one year of Molleston's term before a special election was held to pick a governor for the remaining two years.[17] Collins was chosen in that special election, but died in office, and as speaker of the senate, Rodney acted as governor for the remainder of the term.
  14. ^ Haslet died in office; as speaker of the senate, Thomas acted as governor until a special election was held. There is disagreement over when Haslet died and Thomas became acting governor. Most modern sources say Haslet died on June 20, and Thomas became acting governor on June 23; however, some sources say Thomas became acting governor on June 20,[18] and others say Haslet died on June 23,[19] both situations meaning there was no gap in power. Because of the death of Haslet so early in his term, early elections were called. Unlike when elections were called due to Henry Molleston's death, where the election was only for the final two years of his term, in this case the new election was for a new three-year term, causing the election schedule to shift.[17]
  15. ^ Bennett died in office; As speaker of the senate, Polk acted as governor for the remainder of the term.
  16. ^ This term was the first under the terms of the 1831 constitution, which lengthened terms to four years.
  17. ^ Stockton died in office. As speaker of the senate, Maull acted as governor until he too died. The new speaker of the senate, Temple, acted as governor for the remainder of the term, which was shortened due to a new election schedule.
  18. ^ Cannon died in office; as speaker of the senate, Saulsbury acted as governor for the remainder of the term.
  19. ^ Marvil died in office; as speaker of the senate, Watson acted as governor for the remainder of the term. Because Marvil died so early in his term, the General Assembly decided to conduct an election for a full term in 1896, changing the election schedule.[20]
  20. ^ a b c d e f Represented the Democratic Party.
  21. ^ Boggs resigned to take an elected seat in the United States Senate; as lieutenant governor, Buckson became governor.
  22. ^ Represented the Republican Party.
  23. ^ Castle resigned to take an elected seat in the United States House of Representatives; as lieutenant governor, Wolf become governor.
  24. ^ Carper resigned to take an elected seat in the United States Senate; as lieutenant governor, Minner became governor.
  25. ^ Governor Markell's second term expires on January 17, 2017; he will be term limited.

References

General
Constitutions
Specific
  1. ^ "CSG Releases 2013 Governor Salaries". The Council of State Governments. June 25, 2013. Retrieved November 23, 2014. 
  2. ^ DE Const. art. III
  3. ^ DE Const. art. VII, § 1
  4. ^ 1776 Const. art 7
  5. ^ 1792 Const. art. III, § 1
  6. ^ 1792 Const. art. III, § 3
  7. ^ 1831 Const. art III, § 3
  8. ^ DE Const. art. III, § 5
  9. ^ 1776 Const. art. 7
  10. ^ DE Const. art. III, § 19
  11. ^ DE Const. art. III, § 20
  12. ^ McGuire, Thomas J. (2006). The Philadelphia Campaign. Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania: Stackpole Books. p. 278. ISBN 0-8117-0206-5. 
  13. ^ Rowe, Gail Stuart (1978). Thomas McKean: The Shaping of an American Republicanism. p. 147. ISBN 0-87081-100-2. 
  14. ^ Project, Delaware Federal Writers' (1938). Delaware: A Guide to the First State. p. 48. ISBN 978-1-60354-008-7. Retrieved August 4, 2010. 
  15. ^ Conrad, Henry Clay (1908). History of the State of Delaware, Volume 3. p. 821. Retrieved October 25, 2009. 
  16. ^ Conrad, Henry Clay. History of the State of Delaware, Volume 1. p. 153. Retrieved August 26, 2016. 
  17. ^ a b Niles, H. (1824). Niles' Weekly Register. Volume I, Third Series. p. 121. ISBN 0-8371-3045-X. Retrieved October 25, 2009. 
  18. ^ "Delaware". The Encyclopedia Americana. Volume. VIII. 1918. p. 614. Retrieved October 25, 2009. 
  19. ^ Messersmith, George S. (1908). Government of Delaware. p. 283. Retrieved October 25, 2009. 
  20. ^ "Delaware's Change in Elections". The New York Times. April 14, 1895. Retrieved October 25, 2009. 
  21. ^ "McKean, Thomas". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Clerk of the United States House of Representatives and Historian of the United States Senate. Retrieved June 12, 2009. 
  22. ^ "Read, George". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Clerk of the United States House of Representatives and Historian of the United States Senate. Retrieved June 12, 2009. 
  23. ^ "Rodney, Caesar". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Clerk of the United States House of Representatives and Historian of the United States Senate. Retrieved June 12, 2009. 
  24. ^ "Dickinson, John". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Clerk of the United States House of Representatives and Historian of the United States Senate. Retrieved June 12, 2009. 
  25. ^ "Van Dyke, Nicholas". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Clerk of the United States House of Representatives and Historian of the United States Senate. Retrieved June 12, 2009. 
  26. ^ "Clayton, Joshua". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Clerk of the United States House of Representatives and Historian of the United States Senate. Retrieved June 12, 2009. 
  27. ^ "Bassett, Richard". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Clerk of the United States House of Representatives and Historian of the United States Senate. Retrieved June 12, 2009. 
  28. ^ "Mitchell, Nathaniel". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Clerk of the United States House of Representatives and Historian of the United States Senate. Retrieved June 12, 2009. 
  29. ^ "Rodney, Daniel". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Clerk of the United States House of Representatives and Historian of the United States Senate. Retrieved June 12, 2009. 
  30. ^ "Temple, William". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Clerk of the United States House of Representatives and Historian of the United States Senate. Retrieved June 12, 2009. 
  31. ^ "Biggs, Benjamin Thomas". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Clerk of the United States House of Representatives and Historian of the United States Senate. Retrieved June 12, 2009. 
  32. ^ "Townsend, John Gillis, Jr.". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Clerk of the United States House of Representatives and Historian of the United States Senate. Retrieved June 12, 2009. 
  33. ^ "Buck, Clayton Douglass". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Clerk of the United States House of Representatives and Historian of the United States Senate. Retrieved June 12, 2009. 
  34. ^ "Boggs, James Caleb". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Clerk of the United States House of Representatives and Historian of the United States Senate. Retrieved June 12, 2009. 
  35. ^ "du Pont, Pierre Samuel, IV". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Clerk of the United States House of Representatives and Historian of the United States Senate. Retrieved June 12, 2009. 
  36. ^ "Castle, Michael Newbold". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Clerk of the United States House of Representatives and Historian of the United States Senate. Retrieved June 12, 2009. 
  37. ^ "Carper, Thomas Richard". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Clerk of the United States House of Representatives and Historian of the United States Senate. Retrieved June 12, 2009. 
  38. ^ Thorpe pp. 582–600
  39. ^ Thorpe pp. 568–582

External links