List of Governors of Michigan
Encyclopedia
The Governor of Michigan
is the chief executive of the U.S. state
of Michigan
. His/her powers and responsibilities are provided for under Article V of the Constitution of Michigan. Rick Snyder is the incumbent governor, having taken office on January 1, 2011.
(see List of Governors of Ohio), Indiana Territory
(see List of Governors of Indiana) and Illinois Territory
(see List of Governors of Illinois).
The following are governors
of the Territory of Michigan
and the State of Michigan.
The constitution adopted in 1963 changed the governor's term to four years, starting in 1967. Since then, gubernatorial elections have been offset by two years from U.S. Presidential elections (e.g., Presidential elections were in 2000 and 2004, gubernatorial elections were in 1998 and 2002). The winner of the gubernatorial election takes office at noon on January 1 of the year following the election.
In 1992, an amendment to the Constitution of Michigan imposed a lifetime term limit
of two four-year terms for the office of governor. Prior to this, they were not limited as to how many terms they could serve. John Engler
, who was in the midst of his first term as Governor when the governor at the time, was allowed to run for two more terms in 1994 and 1998 before being prevented from running again in 2002.
(1969–1983, born 1922). The most recent governor to die was George W. Romney
(1963–1969), on July 26, 1995.
Governor of Michigan
The Governor of Michigan is the chief executive of the U.S. State of Michigan. The current Governor is Rick Snyder, a member of the Republican Party.-Gubernatorial elections and term of office:...
is the chief executive of the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. His/her powers and responsibilities are provided for under Article V of the Constitution of Michigan. Rick Snyder is the incumbent governor, having taken office on January 1, 2011.
Courtesy title
The governor of Michigan traditionally receives the courtesy title of His/Her Excellency, though it has fallen out of use in recent years. http://books.google.com/books?id=c8IlAQAAIAAJ&pg=RA1-PA167&dq=his+excellency+the+governor+%2B+michigan&hl=en&ei=qAa5TKHoJ9LnnQf82KG1DQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=his%20excellency%20the%20governor%20%2B%20michigan&f=false More commonly, the governor, as with other elected state office-holders, is addressed as The Honorable (abbreviated The Hon. or Hon.).Territorial governors
Prior to becoming its own territory, parts of Michigan were part of Northwest TerritoryNorthwest Territory
The Territory Northwest of the River Ohio, more commonly known as the Northwest Territory, was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from July 13, 1787, until March 1, 1803, when the southeastern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the state of Ohio...
(see List of Governors of Ohio), Indiana Territory
Indiana Territory
The Territory of Indiana was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from July 4, 1800, until November 7, 1816, when the southern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the state of Indiana....
(see List of Governors of Indiana) and Illinois Territory
Illinois Territory
The Territory of Illinois was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 1, 1809, until December 3, 1818, when the southern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Illinois. The area was earlier known as "Illinois Country" while under...
(see List of Governors of Illinois).
The following are governors
Governor (United States)
In the United States, the title governor refers to the chief executive of each state or insular territory, not directly subordinate to the federal authorities, but the political and ceremonial head of the state.-Role and powers:...
of the Territory of Michigan
Michigan Territory
The Territory of Michigan was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from June 30, 1805, until January 26, 1837, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Michigan...
and the State of Michigan.
| Name | Dates served |
|---|---|
| William Hull William Hull William Hull was an American soldier and politician. He fought in the American Revolution, was Governor of Michigan Territory, and was a general in the War of 1812, for which he is best remembered for surrendering Fort Detroit to the British.- Early life and Revolutionary War :He was born in... |
March 1, 1805 to October 29, 1813 |
| Lewis Cass Lewis Cass Lewis Cass was an American military officer and politician. During his long political career, Cass served as a governor of the Michigan Territory, an American ambassador, a U.S. Senator representing Michigan, and co-founder as well as first Masonic Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Michigan... |
October 29, 1813 to August 6, 1831 |
| George Bryan Porter George Bryan Porter George Bryan Porter , was a U.S. statesman in Pennsylvania and Michigan Territory.He was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania, the brother of David Rittenhouse Porter, Pennsylvania Governor, 1839–1845, and James Madison Porter, Secretary of War, 1843–1844, and the uncle of Horace Porter, U.S.... |
August 6, 1831 to July 6, 1834 |
| Stevens T. Mason Stevens T. Mason Stevens Thomson Mason , also known as Stevens T. Mason, Tom Mason, The Boy Governor, and lesser known nicknames Young Hotspur and The Stripling, was the territorial governor of the Michigan Territory, and later the first Governor of the state of Michigan. Mason guided the Michigan Territory into... |
July 6, 1834 to September 15, 1835 |
| John S. Horner John S. Horner John Scott Horner also known as Little Jack Horner was a U.S. politician, Secretary and acting Governor of Michigan Territory, 1835–1836 and Secretary of Wisconsin Territory, 1836-1837.-Early life:... |
September 15, 1835 to July 3, 1836 |
State governors
From statehood until the election of 1966, governors were elected to two-year terms. Elections are held in November and the governor assumes office the following January, except in the case of death or resignation. From statehood until 1851, elections were held in odd-numbered years. A new state constitution was drafted in 1850 and took effect in 1851. As part of the process bringing the constitution into effect, there was a single one-year term of governor in 1851. Thereafter elections were held on even years.The constitution adopted in 1963 changed the governor's term to four years, starting in 1967. Since then, gubernatorial elections have been offset by two years from U.S. Presidential elections (e.g., Presidential elections were in 2000 and 2004, gubernatorial elections were in 1998 and 2002). The winner of the gubernatorial election takes office at noon on January 1 of the year following the election.
In 1992, an amendment to the Constitution of Michigan imposed a lifetime term limit
Term limit
A term limit is a legal restriction that limits the number of terms a person may serve in a particular elected office. When term limits are found in presidential and semi-presidential systems they act as a method to curb the potential for monopoly, where a leader effectively becomes "president for...
of two four-year terms for the office of governor. Prior to this, they were not limited as to how many terms they could serve. John Engler
John Engler
John Mathias Engler is an American politician and a member of the Republican Party. He served as the 46th Governor of Michigan from 1991 to 2003....
, who was in the midst of his first term as Governor when the governor at the time, was allowed to run for two more terms in 1994 and 1998 before being prevented from running again in 2002.
| # | Name | Took office | Left office | Party | Lt. Governor Lieutenant Governor of Michigan The Lieutenant Governor of Michigan is the second-ranking official in U.S. state of Michigan, behind the governor, and one of four great offices of state... | Notes |
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| 1 | Stevens T. Mason Stevens T. Mason Stevens Thomson Mason , also known as Stevens T. Mason, Tom Mason, The Boy Governor, and lesser known nicknames Young Hotspur and The Stripling, was the territorial governor of the Michigan Territory, and later the first Governor of the state of Michigan. Mason guided the Michigan Territory into... |
October 6, 1835 | January 7, 1840 | Democratic Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous... |
Edward Mundy Edward Mundy (politician) Edward Mundy was a politician and judge from the U.S. state of Michigan, serving as its first Lieutenant Governor.-Biography:... |
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| 2 | William Woodbridge William Woodbridge William Woodbridge was a U.S. statesman in the states of Ohio and Michigan and in the Michigan Territory prior to statehood... |
January 7, 1840 | February 23, 1841 | Whig Whig Party (United States) The Whig Party was a political party of the United States during the era of Jacksonian democracy. Considered integral to the Second Party System and operating from the early 1830s to the mid-1850s, the party was formed in opposition to the policies of President Andrew Jackson and his Democratic... |
J. Wright Gordon James Wright Gordon James Wright Gordon , usually referred to as J. Wright Gordon, was a Whig politician from the U.S. state of Michigan.Gordon was born in Plainfield, Connecticut and studied law.-Life and politics in Michigan:... |
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| 3 | J. Wright Gordon James Wright Gordon James Wright Gordon , usually referred to as J. Wright Gordon, was a Whig politician from the U.S. state of Michigan.Gordon was born in Plainfield, Connecticut and studied law.-Life and politics in Michigan:... |
February 23, 1841 | January 3, 1842 | Whig | Thomas J. Drake Thomas J. Drake For other Thomas Drakes, please see Thomas Drake Thomas Jefferson Drake was a politician from the U.S... |
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| 4 | John S. Barry John S. Barry For the American businessman John S. Barry, see John Barry .John Stewart Barry was the fourth and eighth Governor of the U.S. state of Michigan. He was Michigan's only three-term governor in the 19th century... |
January 3, 1842 | January 5, 1846 | Democratic | Origen D. Richardson Origen D. Richardson Origen Drew Richardson was a politician from the U.S. state of Michigan, and in the Nebraska Territory.-Biography:Richardson was born in Woodstock, Vermont, where he studied and practiced law... |
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| 5 | Alpheus Felch Alpheus Felch Alpheus Felch was the fifth Governor of Michigan and U.S. Senator from Michigan.-Early life:Felch was born in Limerick, Maine. He was left an orphan at the age of three and lived with his grandfather Abijah Felch, a veteran of the American Revolutionary War... |
January 5, 1846 | March 3, 1847 | Democratic | William L. Greenly William L. Greenly William L. Greenly was a politician from the U.S. state of Michigan serving as the sixth Governor of Michigan.-Early life in New York:Greenly was born in Hamilton, New York... |
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| 6 | William L. Greenly William L. Greenly William L. Greenly was a politician from the U.S. state of Michigan serving as the sixth Governor of Michigan.-Early life in New York:Greenly was born in Hamilton, New York... |
March 4, 1847 | January 3, 1848 | Democratic | Charles P. Bush Charles P. Bush Charles P. Bush was a politician from the U.S. state of Michigan.-Biography:Bush was born in Ithaca, New York and moved to Michigan in 1836, becoming one of the first residents of Handy.... |
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| 7 | Epaphroditus Ransom Epaphroditus Ransom Epaphroditus Ransom was the seventh Governor of Michigan and Michigan Supreme Court justice from the U.S. state of Michigan.-Early life in Massachusetts and Vermont:... |
January 3, 1848 | January 7, 1850 | Democratic | William M. Fenton William M. Fenton William Matthew Fenton was a politician from the U. S. state of Michigan.-Early life:Fenton was born in Norwich, New York in 1808 and graduated at the top of his class in 1826 at Hamilton College. In 1827, he sailed four years on the ocean, becoming mate of a merchant vessel... |
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| 8 | John S. Barry John S. Barry For the American businessman John S. Barry, see John Barry .John Stewart Barry was the fourth and eighth Governor of the U.S. state of Michigan. He was Michigan's only three-term governor in the 19th century... |
January 7, 1850 | January 1, 1852 | Democratic | William M. Fenton William M. Fenton William Matthew Fenton was a politician from the U. S. state of Michigan.-Early life:Fenton was born in Norwich, New York in 1808 and graduated at the top of his class in 1826 at Hamilton College. In 1827, he sailed four years on the ocean, becoming mate of a merchant vessel... |
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| 9 | Robert McClelland | January 1, 1852 | March 7, 1853 | Democratic | Calvin Britain Calvin Britain Calvin Britain was a politician from the U. S. state of Michigan.-Biography:Britain was born in Jefferson County, New York. He came to Michigan in 1827 and was the first settler in the town of St. Joseph. He laid out the village of St. Joseph, first known as Newburyport... |
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| Andrew Parsons Andrew Parsons Andrew Parsons was a politician from the U.S. state of Michigan.-Early life in New York:Parsons was born in Hoosick, New York... |
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| 10 | Andrew Parsons Andrew Parsons Andrew Parsons was a politician from the U.S. state of Michigan.-Early life in New York:Parsons was born in Hoosick, New York... |
March 8, 1853 | January 3, 1855 | Democratic | George Griswold George Griswold George R. Griswold was a politician from the U. S. state of Michigan.-Biography:Griswold was born in the U.S. state of New York and later moved to Detroit, Michigan and practiced law.... |
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| 11 | Kinsley S. Bingham Kinsley S. Bingham Kinsley Scott Bingham was a U.S. Representative, a U.S. Senator, and the 11th Governor of the state of Michigan.-Early life in New York:... |
January 3, 1855 | January 5, 1859 | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
George Coe George Coe (Michigan politician) George Alonzo Coe was a politician from the U. S. state of Michigan.-Biography:Coe was born in Rush, New York and moved to Illinois at a young age. He was raised on his father’s farm until the age of fourteen and then attended school until of age... |
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| 12 | Moses Wisner Moses Wisner Moses Wisner was a politician and soldier from the U.S. state of Michigan.-Early life in New York:Wisner was born in Springport, New York and received an education in the common schools while working on his parent's farm. In 1837, he moved to Michigan and settled on a farm in Lapeer County... |
January 5, 1859 | January 2, 1861 | Republican | Edmund B. Fairfield | |
| 13 | Austin Blair Austin Blair Austin Blair , also known as the Civil War Governor, was a politician from the U.S. state of Michigan... |
January 2, 1861 | January 3, 1865 | Republican | James M. Birney James M. Birney James M. Birney was a politician from the U.S. state of Michigan.-Biography:Birney was born in Danville, Kentucky, the eldest son of Agatha and James Gillespie Birney, who was a presidential candidate for the Liberty Party in the 1840 and 1844 elections. James M. Birney spent his early years in... |
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| Joseph R. Williams Joseph R. Williams Joseph Rickelson Williams was an American politician and the first president for the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan, the first Land-Grant Institution to be established in the United States and now one of the largest universities in the United States, Michigan State University.-Early... |
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| Henry T. Backus Henry T. Backus Henry Titus Backus was a politician from the U. S. state of Michigan and judge from the Arizona Territory.-Early life:... |
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| Charles S. May Charles S. May Charles Sedgwick May was a politician from the U. S. state of Michigan.-Early life:May was born in Sandisfield, Massachusetts and at the age of four moved to Richland, Michigan. He worked there on a farm until the age of fifteen and became a student of the State University at Kalamazoo... |
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| 14 | Henry H. Crapo Henry H. Crapo Henry Howland Crapo was the 14th Governor of Michigan during the end of the American Civil War and the beginning of Reconstruction.-Early life in Massachusetts:... |
January 3, 1865 | January 6, 1869 | Republican | Ebenezer Grosvenor | |
| Dwight May Dwight May Dwight May was a politician from the U. S. state of Michigan.-Early life:May was born in Sandisfield, Massachusetts to Rockwell and Celestia May and moved to Richland, Michigan at the approximate age of twelve... |
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| 15 | Henry P. Baldwin Henry P. Baldwin Henry Porter Baldwin , a descendant of pilgrim father Nathaniel Baldwin, was the 15th Governor of Michigan and U.S. Senator from the state of Michigan.-Early life in Rhode Island:... |
January 6, 1869 | January 1, 1873 | Republican | Morgan Bates Morgan Bates Morgan Bates was a politician from the U. S. state of Michigan.-Early life and publishing career:Bates was born near Glens Falls, New York. He apprenticed as a printer at Sandy Hill and worked as a journeyman printer in Albany and other places... |
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| 16 | John J. Bagley John J. Bagley John Judson Bagley was a politician from the US state of Michigan, as well as its 16th Governor.-Early life in New York and Michigan:... |
January 1, 1873 | January 3, 1877 | Republican | Henry H. Holt Henry H. Holt Henry H. Holt was a politician from the U. S. state of Michigan.-Biography:Holt was born in Camden, New York and received an academic education, studied law and graduated from union law college of Ohio... |
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| 17 | Charles Croswell Charles Croswell Charles Miller Croswell was the 17th Governor of the US state of Michigan from 1877 to 1881.-Early life in New York:... |
January 3, 1877 | January 1, 1881 | Republican | Alonzo Sessions Alonzo Sessions Alonzo Sessions was a politician from the U. S. state of Michigan.-Biography:Sessions was born to Amasa and Pheobe Sessions in Marcellus, New York acquired and early education and taught school... |
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| 18 | David Jerome David Jerome David Howell Jerome was an American politician. He served as the 18th Governor of Michigan -Early life:... |
January 1, 1881 | January 1, 1883 | Republican | Moreau S. Crosby | |
| 19 | Josiah Begole Josiah Begole Josiah Williams Begole was a U.S. Representative and the 19th Governor of Michigan.-Early life in New York:Begole was born in Groveland, New York. His ancestors were French Huguenots who emigrated to the United States in the last quarter of the 18th century to escape religious persecution and... |
January 1, 1883 | January 1, 1885 | Democratic | Moreau S. Crosby | |
| 20 | Russell Alger | January 1, 1885 | January 1, 1887 | Republican | Archibald Buttars | |
| 21 | Cyrus G. Luce Cyrus G. Luce Cyrus Gray Luce was the 21st Governor of the US state of Michigan.-Early life in Ohio and Indiana:Luce was born in Windsor, Ashtabula County, Ohio. His father, a veteran of the War of 1812 from Tolland, Connecticut, settled in the Connecticut Western Reserve after the war... |
January 1, 1887 | January 1, 1891 | Republican | James H. MacDonald | |
| William Ball | ||||||
| 22 | Edwin B. Winans | January 1, 1891 | January 1, 1893 | Democratic | John Strong John Strong (Michigan politician) John Strong, Jr. was a politician from the U.S. state of Michigan.- Early life and family :Strong, the son of John Strong Sr. , from Wroxton, Oxfordshire, England, was a first generation American born in a log cabin in Greenfield Township, Michigan, which is now part of Detroit. He received a... |
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| 23 | John T. Rich | January 1, 1893 | January 1, 1897 | Republican | J. Wight Giddings | |
| Alfred Milnes Alfred Milnes Alfred Milnes was a politician from the U.S. state of Michigan.-Early life:Milnes was born in Bradford, Yorkshire, England. His parents, Henry and Mary Ann Milnes joined the LDS Church and left England with their family in 1854. After a sixty day voyage from Liverpool, they arrived in New... |
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| Joseph R. McLaughlin Joseph R. McLaughlin (Michigan politician) Joseph R. McLaughlin was an entrepreneur and politician from the U.S. state of Michigan, serving as Lieutenant Governor from 1895 to 1897.... |
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| 24 | Hazen S. Pingree Hazen S. Pingree Hazen Stuart Pingree was a four-term Republican mayor of Detroit and the 24th Governor of the US state of Michigan .-Early life in Maine and Massachusetts:... |
January 1, 1897 | January 1, 1901 | Republican | Thomas B. Dunstan | |
| Orrin W. Robinson Orrin W. Robinson Orrin Williams Robinson was a politician and businessman from the U.S. state of Michigan. He ran a successful logging operation in the Upper Peninsula and was elected to serve in both houses of the Michigan Legislature and two terms as the 31st Lieutenant Governor of Michigan, from 1899 to... |
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| 25 | Aaron T. Bliss Aaron T. Bliss Aaron Thomas Bliss was a U.S. Representative from and the 25th Governor of the US state of Michigan, and was from Saginaw-Early life in New York:... |
January 1, 1901 | January 1, 1905 | Republican | Orrin W. Robinson Orrin W. Robinson Orrin Williams Robinson was a politician and businessman from the U.S. state of Michigan. He ran a successful logging operation in the Upper Peninsula and was elected to serve in both houses of the Michigan Legislature and two terms as the 31st Lieutenant Governor of Michigan, from 1899 to... |
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| Alexander Maitland | ||||||
| 26 | Fred M. Warner Fred M. Warner Fred Maltby Warner was an American politician. He served as the 26th Governor of Michigan from 1905 to 1911.-Birth in England and early life in Michigan:... |
January 1, 1905 | January 2, 1911 | Republican | Alexander Maitland | |
| Patrick H. Kelley Patrick H. Kelley Patrick Henry Kelley was a politician from the U.S. state of Michigan. He served as U.S. Representative from Michigan's 6th congressional district from 1915-1923.-Biography:... |
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| 27 | Chase Osborn Chase Osborn Chase Salmon Osborn was an American politician, newspaper reporter and publisher, and explorer. He served as the 27th Governor of Michigan from 1911 to 1913.-Early life in Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin:... |
January 2, 1911 | January 1, 1913 | Republican | John Q. Ross | |
| 28 | Woodbridge Nathan Ferris Woodbridge Nathan Ferris Woodbridge Nathan Ferris was an educator from New York, Illinois and Michigan, as well as Democratic statesman and the 28th Governor of Michigan .-Early life in New York, Michigan and Illinois:... |
January 1, 1913 | January 1, 1917 | Democratic | John Q. Ross | |
| Luren Dickinson Luren Dickinson Luren Dudley Dickinson was an American politician. He served as the 37th Governor of Michigan from 1939 to 1940... |
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| 29 | Albert Sleeper Albert Sleeper Albert Edson Sleeper was an American politician and served as the 29th Governor of Michigan from 1917 to 1921.-Early life in Vermont and Michigan:... |
January 1, 1917 | January 1, 1921 | Republican | Luren Dickinson Luren Dickinson Luren Dudley Dickinson was an American politician. He served as the 37th Governor of Michigan from 1939 to 1940... |
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| 30 | Alex Groesbeck Alex Groesbeck Alexander Joseph Groesbeck was an American politician who served as Attorney General and the 30th Governor of the State of Michigan.-Early life:... |
January 1, 1921 | January 1, 1927 | Republican | Thomas Read | |
| George W. Welsh | ||||||
| 31 | Fred Green Fred Green -Military service and legal work:Green served in the U.S. Army during the Spanish-American War. He was a first lieutenant in the 31st Michigan Volunteer Infantry and later was promoted to battalion adjutant. After the war, he returned to Ypsilanti as the city attorney, as well as attorney for the... |
January 1, 1927 | January 1, 1931 | Republican | Luren Dickinson Luren Dickinson Luren Dudley Dickinson was an American politician. He served as the 37th Governor of Michigan from 1939 to 1940... |
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| 32 | Wilber Marion Brucker Wilber Marion Brucker Wilber Marion Brucker was an American Republican politician. Born in Saginaw, Michigan, he served as the 32nd Governor of Michigan from 1931 to 1933 and as the United States Secretary of the Army between July 21, 1955 and January 19, 1961.-Early life:Brucker was born in Saginaw, Michigan, the son... |
January 1, 1931 | January 1, 1933 | Republican | Luren Dickinson Luren Dickinson Luren Dudley Dickinson was an American politician. He served as the 37th Governor of Michigan from 1939 to 1940... |
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| 33 | William Comstock William Comstock William Alfred Comstock was an American politician as the 33rd Governor of the U.S. state of Michigan.-Early life:... |
January 1, 1933 | January 1, 1935 | Democratic | Allen E. Stebbins | |
| 34 | Frank Fitzgerald Frank Fitzgerald Frank Dwight Fitzgerald was an American politician. He was elected as the 34th and 36th Governor of Michigan and was the only Michigan governor to die in office.-Early life:... |
January 1, 1935 | January 1, 1937 | Republican | Thomas Read | |
| 35 | Frank Murphy Frank Murphy William Francis Murphy was a politician and jurist from Michigan. He served as First Assistant U.S. District Attorney, Eastern Michigan District , Recorder's Court Judge, Detroit . Mayor of Detroit , the last Governor-General of the Philippines , U.S... |
January 1, 1937 | January 1, 1939 | Democratic | Leo J. Nowicki | |
| 36 | Frank Fitzgerald Frank Fitzgerald Frank Dwight Fitzgerald was an American politician. He was elected as the 34th and 36th Governor of Michigan and was the only Michigan governor to die in office.-Early life:... |
January 1, 1939 | March 16, 1939 | Republican | Luren Dickinson Luren Dickinson Luren Dudley Dickinson was an American politician. He served as the 37th Governor of Michigan from 1939 to 1940... |
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| 37 | Luren Dickinson Luren Dickinson Luren Dudley Dickinson was an American politician. He served as the 37th Governor of Michigan from 1939 to 1940... |
March 16, 1939 | January 1, 1941 | Republican | Matilda Dodge Wilson Matilda Dodge Wilson Matilda Dodge Wilson , was born Matilda Rausch in Walkerton, Ontario, Canada. She was the widow of John Francis Dodge who co-founded the Dodge motor car company in Detroit with his brother Horace Elgin Dodge. Wilson co-founded the Oakland campus of Michigan State University, now Oakland... |
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| 38 | Murray Van Wagoner Murray Van Wagoner Murray Delos Van Wagoner was an American politician. He served as the 38th Governor of Michigan from 1941 to 1942.-Early life:... |
January 1, 1941 | January 1, 1943 | Democratic | Frank Murphy | |
| 39 | Harry Kelly Harry Kelly (politician) Harry Francis Kelly was an American politician. He served as the 39th Governor of Michigan from 1943 to 1947.- Early life :... |
January 1, 1943 | January 1, 1947 | Republican | Eugene C. Keyes | |
| Vernon J. Brown | ||||||
| 40 | Kim Sigler Kim Sigler Kimber Cornellus Sigler, commonly known as Kim Sigler, was an American politician. He served as the 40th Governor of Michigan from 1947 to 1949.-Early life:... |
January 1, 1947 | January 1, 1949 | Republican | Eugene C. Keyes | |
| 41 | G. Mennen Williams G. Mennen Williams Gerhard Mennen "Soapy" Williams, , was a politician from the US state of Michigan. An heir to a personal grooming products fortune, he was known as "Soapy," and wore a trademark green bow tie with white polka dots.... |
January 1, 1949 | January 1, 1961 | Democratic | John W. Connolly | |
| William C. Vandenberg | ||||||
| Clarence A. Reid | ||||||
| Philip A. Hart | ||||||
| John B. Swainson | ||||||
| 42 | John Swainson John Swainson John Burley Swainson was a politician from the US state of Michigan, as well as the 42nd Governor of Michigan.... |
January 1, 1961 | January 1, 1963 | Democratic | T. John Lesinski T. John Lesinski Thaddeus John "T. John" Lesinski, , was politician and judge from the U.S. state of Michigan.-Biography:Lesinski was born in Detroit, Michigan and lived in Detroit and Grosse Pointe Shores... |
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| 43 | George W. Romney George W. Romney George Wilcken Romney was an American businessman and Republican Party politician. He was chairman and CEO of American Motors Corporation from 1954 to 1962, the 43rd Governor of Michigan from 1963 to 1969, and the United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development from 1969 to 1973... |
January 1, 1963 | January 22, 1969 | Republican | T. John Lesinski T. John Lesinski Thaddeus John "T. John" Lesinski, , was politician and judge from the U.S. state of Michigan.-Biography:Lesinski was born in Detroit, Michigan and lived in Detroit and Grosse Pointe Shores... |
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| William Milliken William Milliken William Grawn Milliken , is an American politician and served as the 44th Governor of Michigan from January 1969 to January 1983.-Biography:... |
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| 44 | William Milliken William Milliken William Grawn Milliken , is an American politician and served as the 44th Governor of Michigan from January 1969 to January 1983.-Biography:... |
January 22, 1969 | January 1, 1983 | Republican | Thomas F. Schweigert | As lieutenant governor, acted as governor for unexpired term, and was later elected in his own right. |
| James H. Brickley James H. Brickley James H. Brickley was the 54th and 56th Lieutenant Governor of Michigan and a justice of the Michigan Supreme Court from 1982-1999.-Biography:Brickley was born in Flint, Michigan... |
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| James Damman James Damman James Damman was an American, Republican politician from Michigan.Born in Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan, Damman served on the Troy, Michigan city commission and served in the Michigan House of Representatives for two terms, and then Lieutenant Governor of Michigan 1975-1979. He also worked for his... |
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| James H. Brickley James H. Brickley James H. Brickley was the 54th and 56th Lieutenant Governor of Michigan and a justice of the Michigan Supreme Court from 1982-1999.-Biography:Brickley was born in Flint, Michigan... |
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| 45 | James Blanchard James Blanchard James Johnston "Jim" Blanchard is a politician from the US state of Michigan. A Democrat, Blanchard has served in the United States House of Representatives, as the 45th Governor of Michigan, and as United States Ambassador to Canada.... |
January 1, 1983 | January 1, 1991 | Democratic | Martha Griffiths Martha Griffiths Martha Wright Griffiths was an American lawyer and judge before being elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1954. Griffiths was the first woman to serve on the powerful House Committee on Ways and Means and the first woman elected to the United States Congress from Michigan as... |
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| 46 | John Engler John Engler John Mathias Engler is an American politician and a member of the Republican Party. He served as the 46th Governor of Michigan from 1991 to 2003.... |
January 1, 1991 | January 1, 2003 | Republican | Connie Binsfeld Connie Binsfeld Connie Berube Binsfeld is a retired Republican politician from the U.S. State of Michigan.-Biography:... |
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| Dick Posthumus Dick Posthumus Richard Posthumus is an American farmer, businessman, and politician. He was the 59th Lieutenant Governor of Michigan and majority leader of the Michigan Senate. In 2002, he was the Republican gubernatorial candidate in Michigan.... |
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| 47 | Jennifer Granholm Jennifer Granholm Jennifer Mulhern Granholm is a Canadian-born American politician, educator, and author who served as Attorney General and 47th Governor of the U.S. state of Michigan. A member of the Democratic Party, Granholm became Michigan's first female governor on January 1, 2003, when she succeeded Governor... |
January 1, 2003 | January 1, 2011 | Democratic | John D. Cherry, Jr. | |
| 48 | Rick Snyder | January 1, 2011 | Incumbent | Republican | Brian Calley Brian Calley Brian Calley , an American politician from the Republican Party is the 61st and current Lieutenant Governor of the State of Michigan... |
Other high offices held
This is a table of congressional and other federal offices held by governors. All representatives and senators mentioned represented Michigan. * denotes those offices which the governor resigned to take.| Name | Gubernatorial term | U.S. Congress United States Congress The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.... |
Other offices held | |
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| House United States House of Representatives The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution... |
Senate United States Senate The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each... |
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| Lewis Cass Lewis Cass Lewis Cass was an American military officer and politician. During his long political career, Cass served as a governor of the Michigan Territory, an American ambassador, a U.S. Senator representing Michigan, and co-founder as well as first Masonic Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Michigan... |
1813–1831 (territorial) | S | President pro tempore President pro tempore of the United States Senate The President pro tempore is the second-highest-ranking official of the United States Senate. The United States Constitution states that the Vice President of the United States is the President of the Senate and the highest-ranking official of the Senate despite not being a member of the body... of the Senate, Ambassador to France United States Ambassador to France This article is about the United States Ambassador to France. There has been a United States Ambassador to France since the American Revolution. The United States sent its first envoys to France in 1776, towards the end of the four-centuries-old Bourbon dynasty... , U.S. Secretary of War United States Secretary of War The Secretary of War was a member of the United States President's Cabinet, beginning with George Washington's administration. A similar position, called either "Secretary at War" or "Secretary of War," was appointed to serve the Congress of the Confederation under the Articles of Confederation... , U.S. Secretary of State United States Secretary of State The United States Secretary of State is the head of the United States Department of State, concerned with foreign affairs. The Secretary is a member of the Cabinet and the highest-ranking cabinet secretary both in line of succession and order of precedence... |
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| William Woodbridge William Woodbridge William Woodbridge was a U.S. statesman in the states of Ohio and Michigan and in the Michigan Territory prior to statehood... |
1840–1841 | S* | Territorial Delegate United States House of Representatives The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution... |
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| Alpheus Felch Alpheus Felch Alpheus Felch was the fifth Governor of Michigan and U.S. Senator from Michigan.-Early life:Felch was born in Limerick, Maine. He was left an orphan at the age of three and lived with his grandfather Abijah Felch, a veteran of the American Revolutionary War... |
1846–1847 | S* | ||
| Robert McClelland Robert McClelland (American politician) Robert McClelland was a U.S. statesman, serving as U.S. Representative from Michigan, the ninth Governor of Michigan, and United States Secretary of the Interior.-Early life in Pennsylvania:... |
1852–1853 | H | U.S. Secretary of the Interior United States Secretary of the Interior The United States Secretary of the Interior is the head of the United States Department of the Interior.The US Department of the Interior should not be confused with the concept of Ministries of the Interior as used in other countries... * |
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| Kinsley S. Bingham Kinsley S. Bingham Kinsley Scott Bingham was a U.S. Representative, a U.S. Senator, and the 11th Governor of the state of Michigan.-Early life in New York:... |
1855–1859 | H | S | |
| Austin Blair Austin Blair Austin Blair , also known as the Civil War Governor, was a politician from the U.S. state of Michigan... |
1861–1865 | H | ||
| Henry P. Baldwin Henry P. Baldwin Henry Porter Baldwin , a descendant of pilgrim father Nathaniel Baldwin, was the 15th Governor of Michigan and U.S. Senator from the state of Michigan.-Early life in Rhode Island:... |
1869–1873 | S | ||
| Josiah Begole Josiah Begole Josiah Williams Begole was a U.S. Representative and the 19th Governor of Michigan.-Early life in New York:Begole was born in Groveland, New York. His ancestors were French Huguenots who emigrated to the United States in the last quarter of the 18th century to escape religious persecution and... |
1883–1885 | H | ||
| Russell A. Alger Russell A. Alger Russell Alexander Alger was the 20th Governor and U.S. Senator from the state of Michigan and also U.S. Secretary of War during the Presidential administration of William McKinley... |
1885–1887 | S | U.S. Secretary of War United States Secretary of War The Secretary of War was a member of the United States President's Cabinet, beginning with George Washington's administration. A similar position, called either "Secretary at War" or "Secretary of War," was appointed to serve the Congress of the Confederation under the Articles of Confederation... |
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| Edwin B. Winans | 1891–1893 | H | ||
| John Tyler Rich John Tyler Rich John Tyler Rich was a U.S. Representative from and the 23rd Governor of the US state of Michigan.-Early Life in Pennsylvania, Vermont and Michigan:... |
1893–1897 | H | ||
| Aaron T. Bliss Aaron T. Bliss Aaron Thomas Bliss was a U.S. Representative from and the 25th Governor of the US state of Michigan, and was from Saginaw-Early life in New York:... |
1901–1905 | H | ||
| Woodbridge Nathan Ferris Woodbridge Nathan Ferris Woodbridge Nathan Ferris was an educator from New York, Illinois and Michigan, as well as Democratic statesman and the 28th Governor of Michigan .-Early life in New York, Michigan and Illinois:... |
1913–1917 | S | ||
| Wilber Marion Brucker Wilber Marion Brucker Wilber Marion Brucker was an American Republican politician. Born in Saginaw, Michigan, he served as the 32nd Governor of Michigan from 1931 to 1933 and as the United States Secretary of the Army between July 21, 1955 and January 19, 1961.-Early life:Brucker was born in Saginaw, Michigan, the son... |
1931–1933 | U.S. Secretary of the Army United States Secretary of the Army The Secretary of the Army is a civilian official within the Department of Defense of the United States of America with statutory responsibility for all matters relating to the United States Army: manpower, personnel, reserve affairs, installations, environmental issues, weapons systems and... |
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| Frank Murphy Frank Murphy William Francis Murphy was a politician and jurist from Michigan. He served as First Assistant U.S. District Attorney, Eastern Michigan District , Recorder's Court Judge, Detroit . Mayor of Detroit , the last Governor-General of the Philippines , U.S... |
1937–1939 | Recorders' Court Judge, Mayor of the City of Detroit, High Commissioner to the Philippines High Commissioner to the Philippines High Commissioner to the Philippines was the title of the personal representative of the President of the United States to the Commonwealth of the Philippines during the period 1935-1946. The office was created by the Tydings-McDuffie Act of 1934, which provided for a period of transition from... , U.S. Attorney General United States Attorney General The United States Attorney General is the head of the United States Department of Justice concerned with legal affairs and is the chief law enforcement officer of the United States government. The attorney general is considered to be the chief lawyer of the U.S. government... , Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States are the members of the Supreme Court of the United States other than the Chief Justice of the United States... , Governor-General of the Philippines Governor-General of the Philippines The Governor-General of the Philippines was the title of the government executive during the colonial period of the Philippines, governed mainly by Spain and the United States, and briefly by Great Britain, from 1565 to 1935.... |
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| G. Mennen Williams G. Mennen Williams Gerhard Mennen "Soapy" Williams, , was a politician from the US state of Michigan. An heir to a personal grooming products fortune, he was known as "Soapy," and wore a trademark green bow tie with white polka dots.... |
1949–1961 | Ambassador to the Philippines United States Ambassador to the Philippines The office of the United States Ambassador to the Republic of the Philippines was established on July 4, 1946 after the Philippines gained its independence from the United States.... , Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court Michigan Supreme Court The Michigan Supreme Court is the highest court in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is known as Michigan's "court of last resort" and consists of seven justices who are elected to eight-year terms. Candidates are nominated by political parties and are elected on a nonpartisan ballot... |
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| George W. Romney George W. Romney George Wilcken Romney was an American businessman and Republican Party politician. He was chairman and CEO of American Motors Corporation from 1954 to 1962, the 43rd Governor of Michigan from 1963 to 1969, and the United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development from 1969 to 1973... |
1963–1969 | U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development The United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development is the head of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, a member of the President's Cabinet, and thirteenth in the Presidential line of succession. The post was created with the formation of the Department of Housing... * |
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| James Blanchard James Blanchard James Johnston "Jim" Blanchard is a politician from the US state of Michigan. A Democrat, Blanchard has served in the United States House of Representatives, as the 45th Governor of Michigan, and as United States Ambassador to Canada.... |
1983–1991 | H | Ambassador to Canada |
Living former governors
, four former governors were alive, the oldest being William MillikenWilliam Milliken
William Grawn Milliken , is an American politician and served as the 44th Governor of Michigan from January 1969 to January 1983.-Biography:...
(1969–1983, born 1922). The most recent governor to die was George W. Romney
George W. Romney
George Wilcken Romney was an American businessman and Republican Party politician. He was chairman and CEO of American Motors Corporation from 1954 to 1962, the 43rd Governor of Michigan from 1963 to 1969, and the United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development from 1969 to 1973...
(1963–1969), on July 26, 1995.
| Name | Gubernatorial term | Date of birth | Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| William Milliken William Milliken William Grawn Milliken , is an American politician and served as the 44th Governor of Michigan from January 1969 to January 1983.-Biography:... |
1969–1983 | March 26, 1922 | |
| James Blanchard James Blanchard James Johnston "Jim" Blanchard is a politician from the US state of Michigan. A Democrat, Blanchard has served in the United States House of Representatives, as the 45th Governor of Michigan, and as United States Ambassador to Canada.... |
1983–1991 | August 08, 1942 | |
| John Engler John Engler John Mathias Engler is an American politician and a member of the Republican Party. He served as the 46th Governor of Michigan from 1991 to 2003.... |
1991–2003 | October 12, 1948 | |
| Jennifer Granholm Jennifer Granholm Jennifer Mulhern Granholm is a Canadian-born American politician, educator, and author who served as Attorney General and 47th Governor of the U.S. state of Michigan. A member of the Democratic Party, Granholm became Michigan's first female governor on January 1, 2003, when she succeeded Governor... |
2003–2011 | February 05, 1959 |