List of Governors of West Virginia
Encyclopedia
The Governor of West Virginia is the head of the executive branch of West Virginia
's 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 West Virginia Legislature
, to convene the legislature at any time, and, except when prosecution has been carried out by the House of Delegates
, to grant pardon
s and reprieves
.
Since West Virginia became a state, it has had 35 governors; 32 different men have held the office (Arch A. Moore, Jr.
and Cecil H. Underwood
each served two nonconsecutive governorships). Six governors in the state's history have served multiple terms. The longest-serving governor was Moore, who served for three terms over twelve years. The state's first governor, Arthur I. Boreman
, served the most consecutive terms, resigning a week before the end of his third term. Daniel D.T. Farnsworth was Senate President at the time; he filled the last seven days of Boreman's term and remains the shortest-serving governor. Underwood has the unusual distinction of being both the youngest person to be elected as governor (age 34 upon his first term in 1957) and the oldest to both be elected and serve (age 74 upon his second term in 1997; age 78 at the end of his second term in 2001).
The current governor is Earl Ray Tomblin
, who assumed office on November 13, 2011 after a special election
on October 4, 2011. Tomblin, as President of the West Virginia Senate
, acted as governor from November 15, 2010 until November 13, 2011 upon the resignation of Joe Manchin
to take a seat in the U.S. Senate
. The two year unexpired term that Earl Ray Tomblin assumed from Joe Manchin is considered an official term in office under the West Virginia Constitution, and thus Tomblin can stand for re-election in November 2012.
, one of the original Thirteen Colonies
. The northwestern counties of Virginia broke away during the American Civil War
and formed the state, which was admitted to the Union on June 20, 1863. Two more Virginia counties, Berkeley
and Jefferson
, joined the state on March 10, 1866.
To be elected governor, a person must be at least 30 years old, and must have been a citizen of West Virginia for at least five years at the time of inauguration. The Constitution of West Virginia
, ratified in 1872, calls for a four-year term for the governor, commencing on the Monday after the second Wednesday in the January following an election. The original constitution of 1863 had only a two-year term for governor.
The constitution makes no mention of a lieutenant governor
; if the governorship becomes vacant, the Senate President acts as governor. If more than one year remains in the governor's term at the time of vacancy, a new election is held; otherwise, the Senate President serves the remainder of the term. A bill passed in 2000 grants the Senate President the honorary title of Lieutenant Governor, but this title is rarely used in practice and the terms of the Senate President do not correspond with governorships. The same bill states that the line of succession after the Senate President will be the Speaker of the House of Delegates
, followed by the state attorney general, the state auditor and former governors, in inverse order of term, that are in residence in the state at the time of the vacancy.
(1965–1969, born 1918). The most recent governor to die was Cecil H. Underwood
(1957–1961, 1997–2001), who died on November 24, 2008.
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
's government and the commander-in-chief of the 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...
's military forces
West Virginia National Guard
The West Virginia National Guard consists of the:*West Virginia Army National GuardTwo units of the West Virginia Army National Guard, the 150th Cavalry and the 201st Field Artillery, are among the nineteen Army National Guard units with campaign credit for the War of 1812.-External links:* *...
. The governor has a duty to enforce state laws, and the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the West Virginia Legislature
West Virginia Legislature
The West Virginia Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of West Virginia. A bicameral legislative body, the Legislature is split between the upper Senate and the lower House of Delegates. It was established under Article VI of the West Virginia Constitution following the state's...
, to convene the legislature at any time, and, except when prosecution has been carried out by the House of Delegates
West Virginia House of Delegates
The West Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the West Virginia Legislature. Only three states—Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia—refer to their lower house as the House of Delegates.-Historical:-Current:-District organization:...
, to grant pardon
Pardon
Clemency means the forgiveness of a crime or the cancellation of the penalty associated with it. It is a general concept that encompasses several related procedures: pardoning, commutation, remission and reprieves...
s and reprieves
Pardon
Clemency means the forgiveness of a crime or the cancellation of the penalty associated with it. It is a general concept that encompasses several related procedures: pardoning, commutation, remission and reprieves...
.
Since West Virginia became a state, it has had 35 governors; 32 different men have held the office (Arch A. Moore, Jr.
Arch A. Moore, Jr.
Arch Alfred Moore, Jr. was the 28th and 30th Governor of West Virginia from 1969 until 1977 and from 1985 until 1989. He was a Congressman from 1957 until entering the governor's office. He is a member of the United States Republican Party. He ran for reelection in 1988, but was defeated by...
and Cecil H. Underwood
Cecil H. Underwood
Cecil Harland Underwood was an American Republican Party politician from West Virginia, known for the length of his career. He was the 25th and 32nd Governor of West Virginia from 1957 until 1961 and from 1997 until 2001. He ran for reelection in 2000 but was defeated by Bob Wise...
each served two nonconsecutive governorships). Six governors in the state's history have served multiple terms. The longest-serving governor was Moore, who served for three terms over twelve years. The state's first governor, Arthur I. Boreman
Arthur I. Boreman
Arthur Inghram Boreman was the first Governor of the U.S. state of West Virginia and a United States Senator.-Biography:...
, served the most consecutive terms, resigning a week before the end of his third term. Daniel D.T. Farnsworth was Senate President at the time; he filled the last seven days of Boreman's term and remains the shortest-serving governor. Underwood has the unusual distinction of being both the youngest person to be elected as governor (age 34 upon his first term in 1957) and the oldest to both be elected and serve (age 74 upon his second term in 1997; age 78 at the end of his second term in 2001).
The current governor is Earl Ray Tomblin
Earl Ray Tomblin
Earl Ray Tomblin is an American politician who serves as the 35th and current Governor of West Virginia. Tomblin is a member of the Democratic Party. Tomblin has served as President of the West Virginia State Senate for over 16 years. He became Acting Governor in 2010 following Joe Manchin's...
, who assumed office on November 13, 2011 after a special election
West Virginia gubernatorial special election, 2011
The 2011 West Virginia gubernatorial election was a special election held on October 4, 2011 to fill the office of the West Virginia Governor. The office became vacant upon the resignation of Governor Joe Manchin, who was elected to fill the seat of Robert Byrd in the United States Senate in 2010...
on October 4, 2011. Tomblin, as President of the West Virginia Senate
West Virginia Senate
The West Virginia Senate is the upper house of the West Virginia Legislature.There are 17 senatorial districts. Each district has two senators who serve staggered four-year terms....
, acted as governor from November 15, 2010 until November 13, 2011 upon the resignation of Joe Manchin
Joe Manchin
Joseph "Joe" Manchin III is the junior United States Senator representing West Virginia. Manchin, a Democrat, was Governor of West Virginia from 2005 to 2010...
to take a seat in the U.S. 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...
. The two year unexpired term that Earl Ray Tomblin assumed from Joe Manchin is considered an official term in office under the West Virginia Constitution, and thus Tomblin can stand for re-election in November 2012.
Governors
West Virginia was originally part of the state of VirginiaVirginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, one of the original Thirteen Colonies
Thirteen Colonies
The Thirteen Colonies were English and later British colonies established on the Atlantic coast of North America between 1607 and 1733. They declared their independence in the American Revolution and formed the United States of America...
. The northwestern counties of Virginia broke away during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
and formed the state, which was admitted to the Union on June 20, 1863. Two more Virginia counties, Berkeley
Berkeley County, West Virginia
Berkeley County is a county located in the Eastern Panhandle region of the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of 2010, the population is 104,169, making it the second-most populous county in West Virginia, behind Kanawha...
and Jefferson
Jefferson County, West Virginia
Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of 2010, the population was 53,498. Its county seat is Charles Town...
, joined the state on March 10, 1866.
To be elected governor, a person must be at least 30 years old, and must have been a citizen of West Virginia for at least five years at the time of inauguration. The Constitution of West Virginia
West Virginia Constitution
The Constitution of the State of West Virginia is the supreme law of the U.S. State of West Virginia. It expresses the rights of the State's citizens and provides the framework for the organization of law and government. The state's founding document was ratified in 1862, a year before the state...
, ratified in 1872, calls for a four-year term for the governor, commencing on the Monday after the second Wednesday in the January following an election. The original constitution of 1863 had only a two-year term for governor.
The constitution makes no mention of a lieutenant governor
Lieutenant governor (United States)
In the United States, 43 of the 50 states have a separate, full-time office of lieutenant governor. In most cases, the lieutenant governor is the highest officer of state after the governor, standing in for that officer when he or she is absent from the state or temporarily incapacitated...
; if the governorship becomes vacant, the Senate President acts as governor. If more than one year remains in the governor's term at the time of vacancy, a new election is held; otherwise, the Senate President serves the remainder of the term. A bill passed in 2000 grants the Senate President the honorary title of Lieutenant Governor, but this title is rarely used in practice and the terms of the Senate President do not correspond with governorships. The same bill states that the line of succession after the Senate President will be the Speaker of the House of Delegates
West Virginia House of Delegates
The West Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the West Virginia Legislature. Only three states—Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia—refer to their lower house as the House of Delegates.-Historical:-Current:-District organization:...
, followed by the state attorney general, the state auditor and former governors, in inverse order of term, that are in residence in the state at the time of the vacancy.
| # | Governor | Term start | Term end | Party | Terms The fractional terms of some governors are not to be understood literally; rather, they are meant to show single terms during which multiple governors served, due to resignations, deaths and the like. |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arthur I. Boreman Arthur I. Boreman Arthur Inghram Boreman was the first Governor of the U.S. state of West Virginia and a United States Senator.-Biography:... |
June 20, 1863 | February 26, 1869 | 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... |
||
| 2 | Daniel D. T. Farnsworth Daniel D. T. Farnsworth Daniel Duane Tompkins Farnsworth was an American politician in the U.S. state of West Virginia, who served in the West Virginia Senate and briefly as the second Governor of West Virginia.-Biography:... |
February 26, 1869 | March 4, 1869 | Republican | ||
| 3 | William E. Stevenson William E. Stevenson William Erskine Stevenson was an American cabinet-maker, farmer, and Republican politician from Parkersburg, West Virginia. He was the third Governor of West Virginia from 1869 until 1871.... |
March 4, 1869 | March 4, 1871 | Republican | 2 | |
| 4 | John J. Jacob John J. Jacob John Jeremiah Jacob was a Democratic politician from Green Spring , West Virginia. Jacob served two terms as the fourth Governor of the US state of West Virginia... |
March 4, 1871 | March 4, 1877 | 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... |
2 Jacob's second term was under the 1872 constitution, which increased term lengths from two to four years. Jacob was elected as a Democrat for his first term, and as an independent for his second. |
|
| Independent | ||||||
| 5 | Henry M. Mathews Henry M. Mathews Henry Mason Mathews was the fifth Governor of West Virginia from 1877 to 1881. Matthews was a Democrat from Greenbrier County.-Earlier life:... |
March 4, 1877 | March 4, 1881 | Democratic | 1 | |
| 6 | Jacob B. Jackson Jacob B. Jackson Jacob Beeson Jackson was the sixth Governor of West Virginia from 1881 to 1885. In 1855, he married Maria Willard.... |
March 4, 1881 | March 4, 1885 | Democratic | 1 | |
| 7 | Emanuel Willis Wilson Emanuel Willis Wilson Emanuel Willis Wilson was the seventh Governor of West Virginia in 1884. He was married to Henrietta Cotton.When the Legislature disputed the Election of 1888, both Governor Wilson and State Senate President Robert S. Carr claimed the right to sit as Governor until the dispute was resolved... |
March 4, 1885 | February 6, 1890 | Democratic | 1 |
|
| 8 | Aretas B. Fleming Aretas B. Fleming Aretas Brooks Fleming was the 8th Governor of West Virginia. In 1865, he married Carrie Watson. When he ran as the Democratic nominee in 1888, the election was disputed by the Legislature. In 1890, the Legislature agreed that Fleming had defeated Nathan Goff, Jr... |
February 6, 1890 | March 4, 1893 | Democratic | 1 | |
| 9 | William A. MacCorkle William A. MacCorkle William Alexander MacCorkle , was a United States teacher, lawyer, prosecutor, the ninth Governor of West Virginia and state legislator of West Virginia, and financier.-Biography:... |
March 4, 1893 | March 4, 1897 | Democratic | 1 | |
| 10 | George W. Atkinson George W. Atkinson George Wesley Atkinson of Ohio County was the tenth Governor of West Virginia. He also served in the U.S. House of Representatives and was a judge on the Court of Claims.-Biography:... |
March 4, 1897 | March 4, 1901 | Republican | 1 | |
| 11 | Albert B. White Albert B. White Albert Blakeslee White was the 11th Governor of West Virginia from 1901 to 1905.White was educated in the public schools of Columbus, Ohio. In 1878, he graduated from Marietta College. In 1879, he married Agnes Ward... |
March 4, 1901 | March 4, 1905 | Republican | 1 | |
| 12 | William M. O. Dawson William M. O. Dawson William Mercer Owens Dawson was the 12th Governor of West Virginia.-External links:* *... |
March 4, 1905 | March 4, 1909 | Republican | 1 | |
| 13 | William E. Glasscock William E. Glasscock William Ellsworth Glasscock was an American politician who served as the 13th Governor of West Virginia as a Republican from 1909 to 1913.... |
March 4, 1909 | March 14, 1913 | Republican | 1 | |
| 14 | Henry D. Hatfield Henry D. Hatfield Henry Drury Hatfield was a Republican politician from Logan County, West Virginia. He served a term as the 14th Governor of the state, in addition to one term in the United States Senate... |
March 14, 1913 | March 5, 1917 | Republican | 1 | |
| 15 | John J. Cornwell John J. Cornwell John Jacob Cornwell was a Democratic politician from Romney in Hampshire County, West Virginia. Cornwell served as the 15th Governor of the US state of West Virginia... |
March 5, 1917 | March 4, 1921 | Democratic | 1 | |
| 16 | Ephraim F. Morgan Ephraim F. Morgan Ephraim Franklin Morgan was born on a farm near Forksburg, Marion County, West Virginia, a descendent of the first white settler of western Virginia, Morgan Morgan, and his son David Morgan. He studied at Fairmont State Normal School and graduated from the West Virginia University law school in 1897... |
March 4, 1921 | March 4, 1925 | Republican | 1 | |
| 17 | Howard M. Gore | March 4, 1925 | March 4, 1929 | Republican | 1 | |
| 18 | William G. Conley William G. Conley William Gustavus Conley was an American politician who served as the 18th Governor of West Virginia as a Republican from 1929 to 1933.-Biography:... |
March 4, 1929 | March 4, 1933 | Republican | 1 | |
| 19 | Herman G. Kump Herman G. Kump Herman Guy Kump was the Democratic Governor of West Virginia from 1933 to 1937. In 1907, he married Edna Hall Scott. He served as the 19th Governor of West Virginia during the Great Depression.-Early years:... |
March 4, 1933 | January 18, 1937 | Democratic | 1 | |
| 20 | Homer A. Holt Homer A. Holt Homer Adams Holt was a West Virginia lawyer and politician who served as that state's 20th governor from 1937 to 1941. Born in Lewisburg, West Virginia, he attended the Greenbrier Military School there and then went on to graduate from Washington and Lee University in 1918, where he was a member... |
January 18, 1937 | January 13, 1941 | Democratic | 1 | |
| 21 | Matthew M. Neely Matthew M. Neely Matthew Mansfield Neely was a Democratic politician from West Virginia. He is the only West Virginian to serve in both houses of the United States Congress and as the Governor of West Virginia... |
January 13, 1941 | January 15, 1945 | Democratic | 1 | |
| 22 | Clarence W. Meadows Clarence W. Meadows Clarence W. Meadows was the 22nd Governor of West Virginia from 1945 to 1949.-External links:*... |
January 15, 1945 | January 17, 1949 | Democratic | 1 | |
| 23 | Okey L. Patteson Okey L. Patteson Okey Leonidas Patteson was born in Mingo County, West Virginia. He was the 23rd Governor of West Virginia for the term following the 1948 election... |
January 17, 1949 | January 19, 1953 | Democratic | 1 | |
| 24 | William C. Marland William C. Marland William Casey Marland , a Democrat, was the 24th Governor of West Virginia from 1953 to 1957. He is best known for his early attempts to tax companies that depleted the state's natural resources, especially coal, as well as overseeing the generally non-violent implementation of school... |
January 19, 1953 | January 14, 1957 | Democratic | 1 | |
| 25 | Cecil H. Underwood Cecil H. Underwood Cecil Harland Underwood was an American Republican Party politician from West Virginia, known for the length of his career. He was the 25th and 32nd Governor of West Virginia from 1957 until 1961 and from 1997 until 2001. He ran for reelection in 2000 but was defeated by Bob Wise... |
January 14, 1957 | January 16, 1961 | Republican | 1 | |
| 26 | William Wallace Barron William Wallace Barron William Wallace "Wally" Barron was a Democratic machine politician in West Virginia. He was the state's 26th Governor from 1961 to 1965. He later served a prison term due to his corrupt actions.... |
January 16, 1961 | January 18, 1965 | Democratic | 1 | |
| 27 | Hulett C. Smith Hulett C. Smith Hulett Carlson Smith served as the 27th Governor of West Virginia from 1965 to 1969.The son of West Virginia Congressman Joe L. Smith, Hulett C. Smith was born in Beckley, West Virginia. He served in the Navy during World War II. Active in community service and civic affairs, he served as... |
January 18, 1965 | January 13, 1969 | Democratic | 1 | |
| 28 | Arch A. Moore, Jr. Arch A. Moore, Jr. Arch Alfred Moore, Jr. was the 28th and 30th Governor of West Virginia from 1969 until 1977 and from 1985 until 1989. He was a Congressman from 1957 until entering the governor's office. He is a member of the United States Republican Party. He ran for reelection in 1988, but was defeated by... |
January 13, 1969 | January 17, 1977 | Republican | 2 | |
| 29 | Jay Rockefeller Jay Rockefeller John Davison "Jay" Rockefeller IV is the senior United States Senator from West Virginia. He was first elected to the Senate in 1984, while in office as Governor of West Virginia, a position he held from 1977 to 1985... |
January 17, 1977 | January 14, 1985 | Democratic | 2 | |
| 30 | Arch A. Moore, Jr. Arch A. Moore, Jr. Arch Alfred Moore, Jr. was the 28th and 30th Governor of West Virginia from 1969 until 1977 and from 1985 until 1989. He was a Congressman from 1957 until entering the governor's office. He is a member of the United States Republican Party. He ran for reelection in 1988, but was defeated by... |
January 14, 1985 | January 16, 1989 | Republican | 1 | |
| 31 | Gaston Caperton Gaston Caperton William Gaston Caperton III was the 31st Governor of the U.S. state of West Virginia from 1989 until 1997. He is currently the president of the College Board, which administers the nationally recognized SAT and AP tests. Caperton announced his intention to step down as president of the College... |
January 16, 1989 | January 13, 1997 | Democratic | 2 | |
| 32 | Cecil H. Underwood Cecil H. Underwood Cecil Harland Underwood was an American Republican Party politician from West Virginia, known for the length of his career. He was the 25th and 32nd Governor of West Virginia from 1957 until 1961 and from 1997 until 2001. He ran for reelection in 2000 but was defeated by Bob Wise... |
January 13, 1997 | January 15, 2001 | Republican | 1 | |
| 33 | Bob Wise Bob Wise Robert Ellsworth "Bob" Wise, Jr. is an American politician. A Democrat, Wise served as the 33rd Governor of West Virginia from January 2001 to January 2005.-Early life:... |
January 15, 2001 | January 17, 2005 | Democratic | 1 | |
| 34 | Joe Manchin Joe Manchin Joseph "Joe" Manchin III is the junior United States Senator representing West Virginia. Manchin, a Democrat, was Governor of West Virginia from 2005 to 2010... |
January 17, 2005 | November 15, 2010 | Democratic | Resigned to take an elected seat in the U.S. Senate. |
|
| 35 | Earl Ray Tomblin Earl Ray Tomblin Earl Ray Tomblin is an American politician who serves as the 35th and current Governor of West Virginia. Tomblin is a member of the Democratic Party. Tomblin has served as President of the West Virginia State Senate for over 16 years. He became Acting Governor in 2010 following Joe Manchin's... |
November 15, 2010 | Incumbent | Democratic |
Other high offices held
This is a table of congressional offices held by governors. All representatives and senators listed represented West Virginia. No governor of West Virginia has held any other federal office.| Governor | Gubernatorial term | U.S. 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... |
U.S. 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... |
Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arthur I. Boreman Arthur I. Boreman Arthur Inghram Boreman was the first Governor of the U.S. state of West Virginia and a United States Senator.-Biography:... |
1863–1869 | — | S* | |
| George W. Atkinson George W. Atkinson George Wesley Atkinson of Ohio County was the tenth Governor of West Virginia. He also served in the U.S. House of Representatives and was a judge on the Court of Claims.-Biography:... |
1897–1901 | H | — | |
| Henry D. Hatfield Henry D. Hatfield Henry Drury Hatfield was a Republican politician from Logan County, West Virginia. He served a term as the 14th Governor of the state, in addition to one term in the United States Senate... |
1913–1917 | — | S | |
| Matthew M. Neely Matthew M. Neely Matthew Mansfield Neely was a Democratic politician from West Virginia. He is the only West Virginian to serve in both houses of the United States Congress and as the Governor of West Virginia... |
1941–1945 | H | S† | |
| Arch A. Moore, Jr. Arch A. Moore, Jr. Arch Alfred Moore, Jr. was the 28th and 30th Governor of West Virginia from 1969 until 1977 and from 1985 until 1989. He was a Congressman from 1957 until entering the governor's office. He is a member of the United States Republican Party. He ran for reelection in 1988, but was defeated by... |
1969–1977 1985–1989 |
H | — | |
| Jay Rockefeller Jay Rockefeller John Davison "Jay" Rockefeller IV is the senior United States Senator from West Virginia. He was first elected to the Senate in 1984, while in office as Governor of West Virginia, a position he held from 1977 to 1985... |
1977–1985 | — | S | |
| Bob Wise Bob Wise Robert Ellsworth "Bob" Wise, Jr. is an American politician. A Democrat, Wise served as the 33rd Governor of West Virginia from January 2001 to January 2005.-Early life:... |
2001–2005 | H | — | |
| Joe Manchin Joe Manchin Joseph "Joe" Manchin III is the junior United States Senator representing West Virginia. Manchin, a Democrat, was Governor of West Virginia from 2005 to 2010... |
2005–2010 | — | S* |
Living former governors
, six former governors are alive, the oldest of whom is Hulett C. SmithHulett C. Smith
Hulett Carlson Smith served as the 27th Governor of West Virginia from 1965 to 1969.The son of West Virginia Congressman Joe L. Smith, Hulett C. Smith was born in Beckley, West Virginia. He served in the Navy during World War II. Active in community service and civic affairs, he served as...
(1965–1969, born 1918). The most recent governor to die was Cecil H. Underwood
Cecil H. Underwood
Cecil Harland Underwood was an American Republican Party politician from West Virginia, known for the length of his career. He was the 25th and 32nd Governor of West Virginia from 1957 until 1961 and from 1997 until 2001. He ran for reelection in 2000 but was defeated by Bob Wise...
(1957–1961, 1997–2001), who died on November 24, 2008.
| Name | Gubernatorial term | Date of birth |
|---|---|---|
| Hulett C. Smith Hulett C. Smith Hulett Carlson Smith served as the 27th Governor of West Virginia from 1965 to 1969.The son of West Virginia Congressman Joe L. Smith, Hulett C. Smith was born in Beckley, West Virginia. He served in the Navy during World War II. Active in community service and civic affairs, he served as... |
1965–1969 | October 21, 1918 (age 93) |
| Arch A. Moore, Jr. Arch A. Moore, Jr. Arch Alfred Moore, Jr. was the 28th and 30th Governor of West Virginia from 1969 until 1977 and from 1985 until 1989. He was a Congressman from 1957 until entering the governor's office. He is a member of the United States Republican Party. He ran for reelection in 1988, but was defeated by... |
1969–1977 1985–1989 |
April 16, 1923 (age 88) |
| Jay Rockefeller Jay Rockefeller John Davison "Jay" Rockefeller IV is the senior United States Senator from West Virginia. He was first elected to the Senate in 1984, while in office as Governor of West Virginia, a position he held from 1977 to 1985... |
1977–1985 | June 18, 1937 (age 74) |
| Gaston Caperton Gaston Caperton William Gaston Caperton III was the 31st Governor of the U.S. state of West Virginia from 1989 until 1997. He is currently the president of the College Board, which administers the nationally recognized SAT and AP tests. Caperton announced his intention to step down as president of the College... |
1989–1997 | February 21, 1940 (age 71) |
| Bob Wise Bob Wise Robert Ellsworth "Bob" Wise, Jr. is an American politician. A Democrat, Wise served as the 33rd Governor of West Virginia from January 2001 to January 2005.-Early life:... |
2001–2005 | January 06, 1948 (age 64) |
| Joe Manchin Joe Manchin Joseph "Joe" Manchin III is the junior United States Senator representing West Virginia. Manchin, a Democrat, was Governor of West Virginia from 2005 to 2010... |
2005–2010 | August 24, 1947 (age 64) |