List_of_governors_of_Virginia

List of governors of Virginia

List of governors of Virginia

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The governor of Virginia is the state's head of government and commander-in-chief of the state's official national guard. The first Constitution of 1776 created the office of governor, to be elected annually by the Virginia State Legislature. The governor could serve up to three years at a time, and once out of office, could not serve again for four years.[1] The 1830 constitution changed the thrice-renewable one-year term length to a non-renewable three-year term, and set the start date at the first day in January following an election.[2] This constitution also prevented governors from succeeding themselves, a prohibition that exists to the present day.[3] The 1851 Constitution increased terms to four years[4] and made the office elected by the people, rather than the legislature.[5] The commencement of the Governor's term was moved to the first day in February by the 1902 Constitution,[6] and then to the Saturday after the second Wednesday in January by the 1971 and current Constitution.[7]

If the office of governor is vacant due to disqualification, death, or resignation, the lieutenant governor of Virginia becomes governor.[8] The office of lieutenant governor was created in 1851.[9] Prior to that a Council of State existed; it chose from among its members a president who would be "lieutenant-governor" and would act as governor when there was a vacancy in that office.[1][10]

Officially, there have been 74 governors of Virginia; the acting governors are not counted.

Governors

Virginia was one of the original Thirteen Colonies and was admitted as a state on June 25, 1788.[11] Before it declared its independence, Virginia was a colony of the Kingdom of Great Britain. It seceded from the Union on April 17, 1861,[12] and was admitted to the Confederate States of America on May 7, 1861.[13] Following the end of the American Civil War, Virginia during Reconstruction constituted the First Military District, which exerted some control over governor appointments and elections. Virginia was readmitted to the Union on January 26, 1870.[14]

The federal government recognized the Restored Government of Virginia, based in Wheeling, as the legitimate government in Virginia on June 25, 1861. It elected its own slate of governors, and after West Virginia was split from Virginia on June 20, 1863, the restored government relocated to Alexandria.

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See also

Notes

  1. The office of lieutenant governor was created in 1851 and first filled in 1852.
  2. Lieutenant governors represented the same party as their governor unless noted.
  3. Under the 1776 constitution, governors were ineligible to serve longer than three years successively.[17]
  4. Jefferson refused re-election and left office at the end of his term. As the legislature had not yet elected a successor, due in part to chaos stemming from the Raid on Richmond, Fleming acted as governor until the next election.[21][23][24]
  5. Nelson resigned due to ill health.[23]
  6. Randolph resigned to serve in the Virginia House of Delegates and promote the United States Constitution there.[32][33][29]
  7. Brooke resigned, having been elected Attorney General of Virginia.[29]
  8. Many sources say that Hardin Burnley acted as governor, either from February 7, 1799,[42] or December 7,[43] serving until he resigned due to poor health on December 11,[44] at which time John Pendleton Jr. took over as acting governor[45] until Monroe became governor on December 19. However, details of their terms are sparse and it's unknown how official their capacity was, and Sobel's entry on Wood mentions no acting governors and says that he left office on December 19.[40]
  9. Tyler resigned, having been confirmed to the United States District Court for the District of Virginia.[53]
  10. Monroe resigned, having been appointed United States Secretary of State.[47]
  11. Tyler resigned, having been elected to the United States Senate.[69]
  12. Giles is labeled a Democrat by Dubin[73] and Sobel,[71] and a Democratic-Republican by Glashan[18] and Kallenbach.[23]
  13. Under the 1830 constitution, governors were ineligible to serve again until three years after their term.[76]
  14. Tazewell resigned over disagreements with the General Assembly.[77]
  15. Robertson is labeled a State's Rights Democrat by Kallenbach,[23] a Democrat by Glashan,[18] and a Whig by Sobel.[79]
  16. Campbell is labeled a Whig by Glashan[18] and Kallenbach,[23] and a Democrat by Dubin[73] and Sobel.[81]
  17. Gilmer resigned, having been elected to the United States House of Representatives for a term beginning March 4, 1841; he delayed his resignation two weeks, finally resigning due to a disagreement with the General Assembly on extradition.[83]
  18. After Gilmer's resignation, Patton acted as governor until the election, but the General Assembly failed to elect a successor, so the senior members of the Governor's Council each acted as governor for a year.[23]
  19. Under the 1851 constitution, governors were ineligible to succeed themselves.[101]
  20. Virginia proclaimed its secession from the Union on April 17, 1861. In response, delegates from the northwestern counties assembled at Wheeling and formed the Restored Government of Virginia, which the federal government recognized as the legitimate government of Virginia on June 25, 1861. It operated a government, including state and federal elections, over the northwestern part of the state, the counties immediately around Washington, D.C., and the eastern shore. On June 20, 1863, the northwestern counties were split into their own state, West Virginia, and the Restored Government relocated to Alexandria, and after the fall of Richmond, the government relocated to Richmond to be the sole state government.
  21. President Andrew Johnson issued an executive order on May 9, 1865, proclaiming that the state government run by Letcher and Smith had been illegitimate as of April 17, 1861, and that Pierpont was the legitimate governor.[107] Smith continued to attempt to claim the office until May 20.[29]
  22. The Reconstruction Acts placed Virginia under full military control, and General John Schofield appointed Wells provisional governor.[110]
  23. Wells was ordered to resign by General Edward Canby, who appointed Walker (who had already won election) in his place.
  24. Under the 1864 constitution, governors were ineligible to succeed themselves.[116]
  25. Walker ran in 1869 as a "Conservative Republican"[23] to differentiate from his opponent who was running as a Radical Republican.[113]
  26. Represented the Conservative Party
  27. Under the 1870 constitution, governors were ineligible to succeed themselves.[120]
  28. Represented the Republican Party
  29. The constitutional start date of the gubernatorial term was January 1, with no requirement for an oath; Cameron was not sworn in until January 2, presumably because January 1 was a Sunday.[126]
  30. Under the 1902 constitution, governors were ineligible to succeed themselves.[142]
  31. The constitutional start date of the gubernatorial term was February 1, with no requirement for an oath; Stuart was not sworn in until February 2, presumably because February 1 was a Sunday.[151]
  32. Under the 1971 constitution, governors are ineligible to succeed themselves.[194]
  33. Represented the Democratic Party
  34. Youngkin's term will expire on January 17, 2026; he will be term-limited.

References

General
  • "Former Virginia Governors". National Governors Association. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  • Sobel, Robert (1978). Biographical directory of the governors of the United States, 1789-1978, Vol. IV. Meckler Books. ISBN 9780930466008. Retrieved June 13, 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 Virginia - History". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  • "Our Campaigns - Governor of Virginia (CSA) - History". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
Specific
  1. 1776 Const.
  2. 1830 Const. Art IV section 1.
  3. VA Const. Art V sec 1
  4. 1851 Const. art V section 1.
  5. 1851 Const. Art V section 2.
  6. 1902 Const. Art V section 69.
  7. VA Const. art V section 1.
  8. VA Const. Art V section 16.
  9. 1851 Const. art V section 8.
  10. 1830 Const. art IV section 5.
  11. "Ratification of the Constitution by the State of Virginia; June 26, 1788". The Avalon Project at Yale Law School. Archived from the original on August 22, 2015. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  12. "Secession Ordinances of 13 Confederate States". University of Houston. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved May 24, 2015.
  13. "1776 Va. Const". Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  14. "Jack Jouett's Ride (1781)". Encyclopedia Virginia. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  15. Kallenbach 1977, pp. 613–616.
  16. "Governor of Virginia". Monticello. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  17. History, The Hornbook of Virginia. "Governors of Virginia". Encyclopedia Virginia. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  18. "Richmond, (Virginia) Nov. 9". Hartford Courant. December 4, 1786. p. 4. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  19. "New York, November 28". Hartford Courant. December 8, 1788. p. 3. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  20. "Edmund Randolph". George Washington's Mount Vernon. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  21. Sobel 1978, p. 1623.
  22. Sobel 1978, pp. 1623–1624.
  23. Sobel 1978, pp. 1624–1625.
  24. Sobel 1978, pp. 1625–1626.
  25. Dicken, Emma (1946). Our Burnley ancestors and allied families / compiled by Emma Dicken. New York : Hobson Book Press, 1946.
  26. “From James Madison to James Monroe, 21 March 1785,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Madison/01-08-02-0137. [Original source: The Papers of James Madison, vol. 8, 10 March 1784 – 28 March 1786, ed. Robert A. Rutland and William M. E. Rachal. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1973, pp. 255–257.] Accessed July 17, 2023
  27. Sobel 1978, pp. 1626–1627.
  28. "none". Weekly Raleigh Register. December 31, 1799. p. 3. Retrieved July 18, 2023. On the 19th inst. his Excellenecy James Monroe, Esq., qualified as Governor of the state of Virginia...
  29. Sobel 1978, pp. 1627–1628.
  30. Sobel 1978, p. 1628.
  31. Sobel 1978, pp. 1628–1629.
  32. Sobel 1978, pp. 1629–1630.
  33. Sobel 1978, p. 1630.
  34. Sobel 1978, pp. 1630–1631.
  35. Sobel 1978, pp. 1631–1632.
  36. Sobel 1978, p. 1632.
  37. Sobel 1978, pp. 1632–1633.
  38. Sobel 1978, pp. 1633–1634.
  39. Sobel 1978, pp. 1634–1635.
  40. Sobel 1978, pp. 1635–1636.
  41. Dubin 2003, p. 283.
  42. Sobel 1978, p. 1636.
  43. "1830 Va. Const. art. IV, § 1". Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  44. Sobel 1978, pp. 1636–1637.
  45. Sobel 1978, pp. 1637–1638.
  46. Sobel 1978, p. 1638.
  47. Sobel 1978, pp. 1638–1639.
  48. Sobel 1978, p. 1639.
  49. Sobel 1978, p. 1640.
  50. Sobel 1978, pp. 1640–1641.
  51. Sobel 1978, p. 1641.
  52. Sobel 1978, pp. 1641–1642.
  53. Sobel 1978, p. 1643.
  54. "Virginia Legislature". Alexandria Gazette. January 2, 1849. p. 2. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  55. Sobel 1978, pp. 1643–1644.
  56. "none". Richmond Enquirer. January 2, 1852. p. 2. Retrieved July 19, 2023. Governor Floyd's term expired on Wednesday, and yesterday, at 12 M., Governor Joseph Johnson appeared at the Council Chamber... when the oaths of office, required to be taken by a Governor of the Commonwealth, were administered to Governor Johnson.
  57. "1851 Va. Const. art. V, § 1". Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  58. Sobel 1978, pp. 1644–1645.
  59. "Inauguration of Governor". Lynchburg Daily Virginian. January 2, 1856. p. 3. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  60. Sobel 1978, pp. 1645–1646.
  61. Andrew Johnson, Executive Order—To Reestablish the Authority of the United States and Execute the Laws Within the Geographical Limits Known as the State of Virginia Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project, accessed July 18, 2023
  62. Sobel 1978, pp. 1646–1647.
  63. "Western Virginia". Portland Press Herald. June 21, 1861. p. 2. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  64. Sobel 1978, p. 1647.
  65. "Gov. Wells Appointed Governor of Virginia". Evening Star. April 4, 1868. p. 1. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  66. Sobel 1978, pp. 1647–1648.
  67. "Local Matters". Richmond Dispatch. September 22, 1869. p. 1. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  68. "1864 Va. Const. art. V, § 1". Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  69. Sobel 1978, pp. 1648–1649.
  70. "none". Alexandria Gazette. January 1, 1874. p. 2. Retrieved July 19, 2023. Gen. James L. Kemper was today inaugurated Governor of Virginia.
  71. "1870 Va. Const. art. IV, § 1". Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  72. Sobel 1978, p. 1649.
  73. "Inauguration of Governor Holliday". Alexandria Gazette. January 1, 1878. p. 3. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  74. Sobel 1978, pp. 1650–1651.
  75. "New State Government". Staunton Spectator. January 3, 1882. p. 2. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  76. Sobel 1978, p. 1651.
  77. "Fitz Lee Governor". Richmond Dispatch. January 2, 1886. p. 4. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  78. Sobel 1978, p. 1652.
  79. "New Men in Office". Richmond Dispatch. January 2, 1890. p. 1. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  80. Sobel 1978, pp. 1652–1653.
  81. "It's Now Gov. O'Ferrall". The Norfolk Virginian. January 2, 1894. p. 1. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  82. Sobel 1978, pp. 1653–1654.
  83. "Gov. Tyler Inaugurated". The Portsmouth Star. January 1, 1898. p. 1. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  84. Sobel 1978, pp. 1654–1655.
  85. "New Governor Is Now at the Helm". Richmond Times-Dispatch. January 2, 1902. p. 1. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  86. "1902 Va. Const. art. V, § 69". Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  87. Sobel 1978, p. 1655.
  88. "Governor C. A. Swanson Takes Office Before a Brilliant Throng". Richmond Times-Dispatch. February 2, 1906. p. 1. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  89. Sobel 1978, p. 1656.
  90. "Governor Mann Warmly Greeted". Richmond Times-Dispatch. February 2, 1910. p. 1. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  91. Sobel 1978, pp. 1656–1657.
  92. "Thousands Cheer As New Executive Assumes Office". Richmond Times-Dispatch. February 3, 1914. p. 1. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  93. Sobel 1978, pp. 1657–1658.
  94. "Governor Davis Is Inaugurated in Hall of House". Richmond Times-Dispatch. February 2, 1918. p. 1. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  95. Sobel 1978, pp. 1658–1659.
  96. "While Guns Boom in Salute, Takes Pledge of Office". Richmond Times-Dispatch. February 2, 1922. p. 1. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  97. Sobel 1978, pp. 1659–1660.
  98. "Harry F. Byrd Takes Reins of Government". Richmond Times-Dispatch. February 2, 1926. p. 1. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  99. Sobel 1978, pp. 1660–1661.
  100. "Pollard Stresses Need of Public Support of Laws in His Inaugural Address; Many Witness Ceremony". Richmond Times-Dispatch. January 16, 1930. p. 1. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  101. Sobel 1978, pp. 1661–1662.
  102. Southall, William B. (January 18, 1934). "Peery Inaugurated 50th Governor As Crowds Cheer; Recommends $3,000,000 More for Schools, Roads". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. 1. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  103. Sobel 1978, pp. 1662–1663.
  104. Latimer, James (January 20, 1938). "Price Dons Robe of State as Governor". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. 1. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  105. Sobel 1978, pp. 1663–1664.
  106. Latimer, James (January 22, 1942). "Small Loan Rate Slash Is Advocated". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. 1. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  107. Sobel 1978, p. 1664.
  108. "Governor Would End Federal Aid". Richmond Times-Dispatch. January 17, 1946. p. 1. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  109. Sobel 1978, p. 1665.
  110. Latimer, James (January 19, 1950). "New Governor Urges Fast Vote of Grants and Loans in 'Crisis'". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. 1. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  111. Sobel 1978, pp. 1665–1666.
  112. Latimer, James (January 21, 1954). "Stanley Asks One-Cent Boost in Gas Tax". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. 1. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  113. Sobel 1978, pp. 1666–1667.
  114. Latimer, James (January 12, 1958). "Almond Asks 2 Moves to Combat Integration". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. 1. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  115. Sobel 1978, pp. 1667–1668.
  116. Latimer, James (January 14, 1962). "Harrison Asks Educational Renaissance". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. 1A. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  117. Sobel 1978, pp. 1668–1669.
  118. Latimer, James (January 16, 1966). "New Governor Exhorts Virginia to Seek Progress in Education". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. 1A. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  119. Sobel 1978, pp. 1669–1670.
  120. Latimer, James (January 18, 1970). "Holton to Strive to Make State 'A Model of Race Relations'". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. A1. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  121. "Va. Const. art. V, § 1". Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  122. Latimer, James (January 13, 1974). "Set Example of Integrity for U.S., New Governor Urges Virginians". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. 1. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  123. Sobel 1978, pp. 1670–1671.
  124. Latimer, James (January 15, 1978). "Dalton Pledges 'New Dominion'". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. A1. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  125. Eisman, Dale (January 17, 1982). "Robb Sees National Role for Virginia". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. 1. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  126. Eisman, Dale (January 12, 1986). "Baliles, Wilder, Ms. Terry Sworn In, Say State 'Leading the Nation Again'". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. 1. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  127. Hardy, Michael; Schapiro, Jeff E. (January 14, 1990). "Salute Freedom Today, Expand It, Wilder Tells 30,000 at Inaugural". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. 1. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  128. Whitley, Tyler (January 16, 1994). "It's Allen, for a Change". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. 1. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  129. Intress, Ruth S.; Stallsmith, Pamela (January 18, 1998). "'Common Man' Now Governor". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. 1. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  130. Schapiro, Jeff E. (January 13, 2002). "Warner Inaugurated". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. A1. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  131. Schapiro, Jeff E. (January 15, 2006). "Gov. Kaine Takes Office". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. A1. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  132. Whitley, Tyler (January 17, 2010). "State of Opportunity". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. A1. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  133. Nolan, Jim; Meola, Olympia (January 12, 2014). "The Work Begins". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. A1. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  134. Moomaw, Graham (January 14, 2018). "New Hand at the Helm". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. A1. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  135. Leonor, Mel (January 16, 2022). "Youngkin Sworn In As Governor". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. A1. Retrieved July 19, 2023.

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