List_of_Governors_of_Mississippi

List of governors of Mississippi

List of governors of Mississippi

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The governor of Mississippi is the head of government of Mississippi[2] and the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces.[2] The governor has a duty to enforce state laws,[3] and the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Mississippi Legislature,[4] to convene the legislature at any time,[5] and, except in cases of treason or impeachment, to grant pardons and reprieves.[6]

Quick Facts Governor of Mississippi, Style ...

To be elected governor, a person must be at least 30 years old, and must have been a citizen of the United States for twenty years and a resident of Mississippi for at least five years at the time of inauguration.[7] The Constitution of Mississippi, ratified in 1890, calls for a four-year term for the governor, elected via the two-round system since a 2020 referendum. Prior to this, the governor was elected by an electoral college composed of the districts represented in the Mississippi House of Representatives, with a contingent election held in the House in the event no candidate received a majority of district electors. The term length was originally two years,[8] with no limit on how many terms they could serve. The 1832 constitution limited governors to serving no more than four out of every six years.[9] When terms were lengthened to four years in 1868,[10] this limit was removed. The 1890 constitution forbid governors from succeeding themselves, but a 1986 amendment allows them to succeed themselves once.[2][11] The office of lieutenant governor was created in the 1817 constitution, abolished in 1832, and recreated in 1868. When the office of governor becomes vacant for any reason, the lieutenant governor exercises the powers of governor for the remainder of the term.[12]

The current governor is Republican Tate Reeves, who took office January 14, 2020.

List of governors

Mississippi Territory

Mississippi Territory was organized on April 7, 1798, from land ceded to the federal government by Georgia.[13] It had four governors appointed by the president of the United States during its 19-year history, including one, David Holmes, who would later serve as state governor.

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State of Mississippi

Mississippi was admitted to the Union on December 10, 1817.[33] It seceded from the Union on January 9, 1861,[34] and was a founding member of the Confederate States of America on February 4, 1861.[35] Following the end of the American Civil War, Mississippi during Reconstruction was part of the Fourth Military District, which exerted some control over governor appointments and elections. Mississippi was readmitted to the Union on February 23, 1870.[36]

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See also

Notes

  1. The range given is from the date the governor was confirmed by the Senate, or appointed by the President during a Senate recess, to the date the governor left office.
  2. George Mathews was nominated on April 18, 1798,[15] but was withdrawn and Sargent nominated on May 2.[16] He was confirmed by the Senate on May 7,[17] and arrived in the territory on August 6.[14]
  3. Claiborne was appointed on May 25, 1801,[19] during a Senate recess; nominated on January 6, 1802;[20] and confirmed by the Senate on January 26, 1802.[21] He arrived in the territory on November 23, 1801.[18]
  4. Williams was nominated on March 1, 1805;[23] confirmed by the Senate on March 2;[24] and he arrived in the territory in May.[22] He was reconfirmed by the Senate on March 14, 1808.[25]
  5. Holmes was nominated on March 6, 1809;[29] confirmed by the Senate on March 7;[30] and he arrived in the territory on June 30.[26] He was reconfirmed by the Senate on March 31, 1812,[31] and December 10, 1814.[32]
  6. The office of lieutenant governor was created in 1817, abolished in 1832, and recreated in 1868.
  7. Lieutenant governors represented the same party as their governor unless noted.
  8. Holmes resigned due to ill health.[27]
  9. Represented no party
  10. Lynch is labeled a Whig by Kallenbach[52] and a Democratic-Republican by Glashan.[38]
  11. All sources, modern and older, say Runnels took office on November 20; however, contemporary news shows he was inaugurated on November 21.[55][56]
  12. The 1832 constitution specified that governor "shall hold his office for two years from the time of his installation;" thus, on November 21, 1835, two years after he took office, Runnels, having lost the 1835 election, left office. However, the legislature had set the start of the next term in January. The Senate met on December 3 and elected a new president, Quitman, who would act as governor until the governor-elect, Lynch, took office.[57]
  13. McNutt's term constitutionally could only last two years, so on January 9, he left office and President of the Senate Jesse Speight became acting governor for one day.[64]
  14. Under the 1832 constitution, governors were ineligible to hold the office for more than four years in any term of six years.[65]
  15. Quitman resigned after being arrested for his involvement in the Lopez Expedition; he was later acquitted.[57]
  16. All senate terms ended on November 4; Secretary of State of Mississippi Joseph Bell acted as chief executive until the senate could convene and elect a new president.[75]
  17. All modern sources say Whitfield took office November 24;[37] however, contemporary news reports say the final vote was the next morning.[80]
  18. Foote resigned due to tensions resolving around secession.[81]
  19. Under the 1861 constitution, governors were ineligible to hold the office for more than four years in any term of six years.[94]
  20. Clark was arrested by Union forces.[95]
  21. Humphreys was sworn in on October 16.[101] Sharkey was elected to the Senate on October 19, Humphreys signed his credentials on October 31, and Sharkey presented them to the United States Senate on December 12,[102] though he was refused his seat.[98] However, some reputable sources say Sharkey remained in office until December, when President Andrew Johnson ordered him to turn over power to Humphreys.[103]
  22. Humphreys was removed by federal forces and replaced with a military governor after his failure to comply with the Reconstruction Acts.[101]
  23. The 1865 election was officially non-partisan.[101]
  24. Mississippi was readmitted to Congress on February 23, 1870, and Ames was elected to the United States Senate that same day. He left office upon the inauguration of James Alcorn.[106]
  25. Alcorn resigned, having been elected to the United States Senate; his senate term had begun on March 4, 1871, but he delayed taking it.[109]
  26. Ames resigned under threat of impeachment from the newly-elected Democratic legislature.[106]
  27. Under the 1890 constitution, governors were ineligible to be their immediate successor.[123]
  28. Mississippi numbers Wright as both the 49th governor (completing his predecessor's term) and the 50th governor (his own elected term).
  29. Under a 1986 amendment to the constitution, governors are ineligible to be elected more than twice.[195]
  30. Tuck switched her party membership to the Republican Party in 2002.[198]
  31. Reeves' second term began on January 9, 2024, and will expire January 11, 2028; he will be term-limited.

References

General
  • "Former Mississippi Governors". National Governors Association. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
  • McMullin, Thomas A. (1984). Biographical directory of American territorial governors. Westport, CT : Meckler. ISBN 978-0-930466-11-4. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  • Sobel, Robert (1978). Biographical directory of the governors of the United States, 1789-1978, Vol. II. Meckler Books. ISBN 9780930466008. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  • Dubin, Michael J. (2003). United States Gubernatorial Elections, 1776-1860: The Official Results by State and County. McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-1439-0.
  • Dubin, Michael J. (2014). United States Gubernatorial Elections, 1861-1911: The Official Results by State and County. McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-5646-8.
  • Kallenbach, Joseph Ernest (1977). American State Governors, 1776-1976. Oceana Publications. ISBN 978-0-379-00665-0. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  • Glashan, Roy R. (1979). American Governors and Gubernatorial Elections, 1775-1978. Meckler Books. ISBN 978-0-930466-17-6.
  • "Our Campaigns - Governor of Mississippi - History". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  • "Our Campaigns - Governor of Mississippi (CSA) - History". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
Specific
  1. Pender, Geoff (April 7, 2022). "Amid vetoes, Gov. Reeves lets pay raises for elected officials pass". Mississippi Today. Nonprofit Mississippi News. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  2. MS Const. art. V, § 116.
  3. MS Const. art. V, § 123.
  4. MS Const. art. IV, § 72.
  5. MS Const. art. V, § 121.
  6. MS Const. art. V, § 140-141.
  7. MS Const. art. V, § 117.
  8. 1817 art iv sec 1
  9. 1832 art v sec 3
  10. MS Const. (1817) art. IV, § 1; MS Const. (1832) art. V, § 1; MS Const. (1868) art. V, § 1.
  11. MS Const. art. V, § 131.
  12. McMullin 1984, pp. 203–204.
  13. U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 5th Cong., 2nd sess., 269, accessed March 15, 2023.
  14. U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 5th Cong., 2nd sess., 272, accessed March 15, 2023.
  15. U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 5th Cong., 2nd sess., 274, accessed March 15, 2023.
  16. McMullin 1984, pp. 205–207.
  17. "From Thomas Jefferson to William C. C. Claiborne, 13 July 1801," Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-34-02-0427. [Original source: The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, vol. 34, 1 May–31 July 1801, ed. Barbara B. Oberg. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2007, pp. 560–562.] Accessed March 15, 2023.
  18. U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 7th Cong., 1st sess., 401, accessed March 15, 2023.
  19. U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 7th Cong., 1st sess., 405, accessed March 15, 2023.
  20. McMullin 1984, pp. 207–208.
  21. U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 8th Cong., 2nd sess., 484, accessed March 15, 2023.
  22. U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 8th Cong., 2nd sess., 485, accessed March 15, 2023.
  23. U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 10th Cong., 1st sess., 72, accessed March 15, 2023.
  24. McMullin 1984, pp. 208–210.
  25. Sobel 1978, p. 801.
  26. U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 11th Cong., special sess., 119, accessed March 15, 2023.
  27. U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 11th Cong., special sess., 120, accessed March 15, 2023.
  28. U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 12th Cong., 1st sess., 242, accessed March 15, 2023.
  29. U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 13th Cong., 3rd sess., 591, accessed March 15, 2023.
  30. "Secession Ordinances of 13 Confederate States". University of Houston. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved May 24, 2015.
  31. Secretary of State of Mississippi, "Mississippi Blue Book. Biennial report of the Secretary of State to the Legislature of Mississippi. [1929-1931]" (1931). page 40, accessed March 20, 2023.
  32. Sobel 1978, pp. 801–802.
  33. "State Legislature". Natchez Gazette. January 8, 1820. p. 4. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  34. Sobel 1978, pp. 802–803.
  35. Sobel 1978, p. 803.
  36. "none". Natchez Gazette. January 14, 1826. p. 2. Retrieved March 20, 2023. This day at 12 o'clock, His Excellency the Governor elect, after taking the Oath prescribed by the Constitution, delivered to both Houses of the General Assembly, the following inaugural address.
  37. "Official". State Journal. July 29, 1826. p. 3. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  38. Sobel 1978, p. 804.
  39. Sobel 1978, pp. 804–805.
  40. Kallenbach 1977, pp. 325–327.
  41. Sobel 1978, p. 805.
  42. "Mississippi Legislature". The Natchez Weekly Courier. December 6, 1833. p. 2. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  43. "Interregnum". The Weekly Mississippian. November 27, 1835. p. 2. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  44. Sobel 1978, p. 806.
  45. "Proceedings of the Senate". The Weekly Mississippian. December 18, 1835. p. 2. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  46. "Mississippi Legislature". The Weekly Mississippian. January 18, 1836. p. 3. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  47. Sobel 1978, p. 807.
  48. "Correspondence". Vicksburg Whig. January 10, 1838. p. 2. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  49. "Legislative". Southern Argus. January 18, 1842. p. 2. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  50. "1832 Miss. Const. art. V, § 3". www.stateconstitutions.umd.edu. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  51. Sobel 1978, pp. 807–808.
  52. Sobel 1978, p. 808.
  53. "Legislative Correspondence of the Free Trader". The Mississippi Free Trader. January 13, 1844. p. 2. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  54. Sobel 1978, p. 809.
  55. "House of Representatives". The Weekly Mississippian. January 14, 1848. p. 2. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  56. "The Mississippi Legislature". Natchez Daily Courier. January 15, 1850. p. 2. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  57. Sobel 1978, pp. 809–810.
  58. "Gov. Quitman". Vicksburg Whig. February 5, 1851. p. 3. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  59. Sobel 1978, pp. 810–811.
  60. "Called Session of the Senate". Mississippi Palladium. December 5, 1851. p. 2. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  61. Sobel 1978, p. 811.
  62. "Mississippi Legislature". The Weekly Mississippian. January 16, 1852. p. 2. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  63. Sobel 1978, p. 812.
  64. "Gov. Foote". Natchez Daily Courier. January 13, 1854. p. 3. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  65. Sobel 1978, pp. 812–813.
  66. "Mississippi Legislature". Mississippi Free Trader. January 24, 1854. p. 2. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  67. Sobel 1978, pp. 813–814.
  68. "Gov. McWillie's Inauguration". Vicksburg Whig. November 25, 1857. p. 1. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  69. "Correspondence of the Whig". Vicksburg Whig. November 23, 1859. p. 3. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  70. "1832 Miss. Const. art. V, § 3". www.stateconstitutions.umd.edu. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  71. Sobel 1978, p. 814.
  72. "Mississippi Legislature". The American Citizen. November 24, 1863. p. 1. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  73. Sobel 1978, p. 815.
  74. "Reconstruction!". The Philadelphia Inquirer. June 14, 1865. p. 1. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  75. Sobel 1978, pp. 815–816.
  76. Cong. Globe, 38th Cong., 2nd Sess. 7 (1865). Accessed March 17, 2023
  77. Sansing, David. "William Lewis Sharkey". Mississippi Historical Society. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  78. "Telegraphic Reports". The Daily Mississippian. October 20, 1865. p. 2. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  79. Sobel 1978, pp. 816–817.
  80. "Removal of Gov. Humphreys and Attorney Gen. Hooker". Natchez Democrat. June 18, 1868. p. 2. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  81. Sobel 1978, p. 817.
  82. "The Governor's Message". The Vicksburg Herald. March 11, 1870. p. 3. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  83. Sobel 1978, p. 818.
  84. "Faithful James No Longer With Us". The Weekly Panola Star. December 9, 1871. p. 2. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  85. "Mississippi Legislature". The Clarion-Ledger. January 29, 1874. p. 1. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  86. Sobel 1978, pp. 818–819.
  87. "Governor Ames Resigns!". The American Citizen. April 1, 1876. p. 2. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  88. Sobel 1978, pp. 819–820.
  89. "none". The Vicksburg Herald. January 11, 1882. p. 1. Retrieved March 20, 2023. The scene at the Governor's inaugural, Monday...
  90. "State Legislature". Clarion-Ledger. January 14, 1890. p. 1. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  91. "1890 Miss. Const. art. V, § 116". www.stateconstitutions.umd.edu. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  92. Sobel 1978, pp. 820–821.
  93. "Inauguration". Vicksburg Evening Post. January 21, 1896. p. 1. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  94. Sobel 1978, p. 821.
  95. "Governor Longino". Weekly Clarion-Ledger. January 18, 1900. p. 1. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  96. Sobel 1978, pp. 821–822.
  97. "Begun His Duties". Jackson Daily News. January 20, 1904. p. 1. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  98. Sobel 1978, pp. 822–823.
  99. "Edmon F. Noel Takes the Oath as Governor". Jackson Daily News. January 21, 1908. p. 1. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  100. Sobel 1978, p. 823.
  101. "Governor Earl Brewer Takes Oath of Office". Jackson Daily News. January 16, 1912. p. 1. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  102. Sobel 1978, pp. 823–824.
  103. "Theo. G. Bilbo Takes the Oath as Governor". Jackson Daily News. January 18, 1916. p. 1. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  104. Sobel 1978, pp. 824–825.
  105. "Lee M. Russell Is Inaugurated State's Chief". Jackson Daily News. January 20, 1920. p. 1. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  106. Sobel 1978, p. 825.
  107. "Henry Whitfield Is Inaugurated". The Greenwood Commonwealth. Associated Press. January 22, 1924. p. 1. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  108. Sobel 1978, p. 826.
  109. "Newspaperman Successor to Gov. Whitfield". The Clarksdale Press Register. Associated Press. March 18, 1927. p. 1. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  110. "Theodore Bilbo Takes Oath of Office as Governor". Clarion-Ledger. January 18, 1928. p. 1. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  111. Sobel 1978, pp. 826–827.
  112. "As Conner Said, "I Do"". Clarion-Ledger. January 20, 1932. p. 1. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  113. Sobel 1978, pp. 827–828.
  114. "White Dedicates Self to Program of State Uplift". Clarion-Ledger. January 22, 1936. p. 1. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  115. Sobel 1978, p. 828.
  116. Gibson, James B. (January 17, 1940). "Inaugural Gives Enormous Throng Day of Ceremony". Clarion-Ledger. p. 1. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  117. "Governor Johnson Passes Away". Clarion-Ledger. December 27, 1943. p. 1. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  118. Sobel 1978, pp. 828–829.
  119. "Gov. Bailey Offers Broad Plans in Inaugural Message". Clarion-Ledger. January 19, 1944. p. 1. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  120. Sobel 1978, pp. 829–830.
  121. "Governor Bailey Is Dead". Clarion-Ledger. November 2, 1946. p. 1. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  122. Hills, Charles M. (January 23, 1952). "New Governor Calls for Curb on Taxes; Positive SR Program". Clarion-Ledger. p. 1. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  123. Sobel 1978, pp. 830–831.
  124. Hills, Charles M. (January 18, 1956). "Governor Coleman Pledges He'll Maintain Segregation". Clarion-Ledger. p. 1. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  125. Sobel 1978, p. 831.
  126. Hills, Charles M. (January 20, 1960). "Governor Barnett Urges Unity, Promises No-Mix". Clarion-Ledger. p. 1. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  127. Sobel 1978, pp. 831–832.
  128. Hills, Charles M. (January 22, 1964). "Paul Johnson Bold in Opening Address". Clarion-Ledger. p. 1. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  129. Sobel 1978, pp. 832–833.
  130. Albritton, A. B. (January 17, 1968). "Williams Becomes Governor; Fills Three Major State Jobs". Clarion-Ledger. p. 1. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  131. Sobel 1978, pp. 833–834.
  132. Morgan, Hugh (January 19, 1972). "'Straight Ahead' Is Waller's Pledge". Clarion-Ledger. Associated Press. p. 1. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  133. Sobel 1978, p. 834.
  134. Klibanoff, Hank (January 21, 1976). "Finch Inaugurated As Governor of Mississippi". The Sun. p. A1. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  135. Kubissa, David W. (January 23, 1980). "Winter Sworn In As 58th Governor". Clarion-Ledger. p. 1A. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  136. Oppel, Tom (January 11, 1984). "Allain Cites Unity as Key To Progress". Clarion-Ledger. p. 1A. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  137. McIntosh, Shawn (January 13, 1988). "Gov. Mabus Sworn In". Clarion-Ledger. p. 1A. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  138. Eubank, Jay (January 15, 1992). "Fordice Assumes Command". Clarion-Ledger. p. 1A. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  139. "Miss. Const. art. V, § 116". www.stateconstitutions.umd.edu. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  140. Wagster, Emily (January 12, 2000). "Musgrove Sets Goals High". Clarion-Ledger. p. 1A. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  141. Goodman, Julie (January 14, 2004). "Barbour: Jobs Top Priority". Clarion-Ledger. p. 1A. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  142. "Phil Bryant Takes Oath As Mississippi's 64th Governor". Associated Press. January 10, 2012. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  143. Ramseth, Luke; Bologna, Giacomo. "New Governor Reeves Promises: 'For. All. Mississippi.' Will Be Motto". Retrieved March 20, 2023.

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