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List of governors of Alabama facts for kids

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Governor of Alabama
Flag of the Governor of Alabama.svg
Standard of the Governor
Seal of the Governor of Alabama.svg
Seal of the Governor
Governor Kay Ivey 2017 (cropped).jpg
Incumbent
Kay Ivey

since April 10, 2017
Style
Residence Alabama Governor's Mansion
Term length Four years, renewable once
Precursor Governor of Alabama Territory
Inaugural holder William Wyatt Bibb
Formation December 14, 1819
(204 years ago)
 (1819-12-14)
Deputy Lieutenant Governor of Alabama
Salary $127,833 (2022)
Website http://www.governor.state.al.us

The governor of Alabama is the head of government of the U.S. state of Alabama. The governor is the head of the executive branch of Alabama's state government and is charged with enforcing state laws.

There have officially been 54 governors of the state of Alabama; this official numbering skips acting and military governors. The first governor, William Wyatt Bibb, served as the only governor of the Alabama Territory. Five people have served as acting governor, bringing the total number of people serving as governor to 59, spread over 63 distinct terms. Four governors have served multiple non-consecutive terms: Bibb Graves, Jim Folsom, and Fob James each served two, and George Wallace served three non-consecutive periods. Officially, these non-consecutive terms are numbered only with the number of their first term. William D. Jelks also served non-consecutive terms, but his first term was in an acting capacity.

The longest-serving governor was George Wallace, who served 16 years over four terms. The shortest term for a non-acting governor was that of Hugh McVay, who served four and a half months after replacing the resigning Clement Comer Clay. Lurleen Wallace, wife of George Wallace, was the first woman to serve as governor of Alabama, and the third woman to serve as governor of any state. The current governor is Republican Kay Ivey, who took office on April 10, 2017 following Governor Robert J. Bentley's court-mandated resignation following a guilty plea-deal amidst a corruption scandal. She is the second female governor of Alabama.

Governors

Governor of the Territory of Alabama

Alabama Territory was formed on March 3, 1817, from Mississippi Territory. It had only one governor appointed by the President of the United States before it became a state; he became the first state governor.

Governor of the Territory of Alabama
Governor Term in office Appointed by
William Wyatt Bibb.jpg William Wyatt Bibb
    October 2, 1781 – July 10, 1820   
(aged 38)
March 6, 1817

November 9, 1819
James Monroe

Governors of the State of Alabama

Seal of the Governor-Elect of Alabama
Seal for use by the Governor-Elect
Flag of the Governor of Alabama (1868–1939)
Governor's Flag before 1939

Alabama was admitted to the Union on December 14, 1819. It seceded from the Union on January 11, 1861, and was a founding member of the Confederate States of America on February 4, 1861. Following the end of the American Civil War, Alabama during Reconstruction was part of the Third Military District, which exerted some control over governor appointments and elections. Alabama was readmitted to the Union on July 14, 1868.

The first Alabama Constitution, ratified in 1819, provided that a governor be elected every two years, limited to serve no more than 4 out of every 6 years. This limit remained in place until the constitution of 1868, which simply allowed governors to serve terms of two years. The current constitution of 1901 increased terms to four years, but prohibited governors from succeeding themselves. Amendment 282 to the constitution, passed in 1968, allowed governors to succeed themselves once; a governor serving two consecutive terms can run again after waiting out the next term. The constitution had no set date for the commencement of a governor's term until 1901, when it was set at the first Monday after the second Tuesday in the January following an election. However, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled in 1911 that a governor's term ends at midnight at the end of Monday, and the next governor's term begins the next day, regardless of if they were sworn in on Monday.

The office of lieutenant governor was created in 1868, abolished in 1875, and recreated in 1901. According to the current constitution, should the governor be out of the state for more than 20 days, the lieutenant governor becomes acting governor, and if the office of governor becomes vacant the lieutenant governor ascends to the governorship. Earlier constitutions said the powers of the governor devolved upon the successor, rather than them necessarily becoming governor, but the official listing includes these as full governors. The governor and lieutenant governor are not elected on the same ticket.

Alabama was a strongly Democratic state before the Civil War, electing only candidates from the Democratic-Republican and Democratic parties. It had two Republican governors following Reconstruction, but after the Democratic Party re-established control, 112 years passed before voters chose another Republican.

Governors of the State of Alabama
No. Governor Term in office Party Election Lt. Governor
1 William Wyatt Bibb.jpg   William Wyatt Bibb
    October 2, 1781 – July 10, 1820   
(aged 38)
November 9, 1819

July 10, 1820
(died in office)
Democratic-
Republican
1819 Office did not exist
2 Governor Thomas Bibb.jpg Thomas Bibb
    May 8, 1783 – September 20, 1839   
(aged 56)
July 10, 1820

November 9, 1821
(not candidate for election)
Democratic-
Republican
Succeeded from
President of
the Senate
3 Pickensisrael.jpg Israel Pickens
    January 30, 1780 – April 24, 1827   
(aged 47)
November 9, 1821

November 25, 1825
(term-limited)
Democratic-
Republican
1821
1823
4 John murphy.jpg John Murphy
    1786 – September 21, 1841   
(aged 54 or 55)
November 25, 1825

November 25, 1829
(term-limited)
Jackson
Democrat
1825
1827
5 Gabrielmoore.jpg Gabriel Moore
    1785 – June 9, 1845   
(aged 59 or 60)
November 25, 1829

March 3, 1831
(resigned)
Jackson
Democrat
1829
6 Samuel B. Moore
    June 6, 1789 – November 7, 1846   
(aged 57)
March 3, 1831

November 26, 1831
(lost election)
Democratic Succeeded from
President of
the Senate
7 JohnGayle.jpg John Gayle
    September 11, 1792 – July 21, 1859   
(aged 66)
November 26, 1831

November 21, 1835
(term-limited)
Democratic 1831
1833
8 Clement Comer Clay.jpg Clement Comer Clay
    December 17, 1789 – September 6, 1866   
(aged 76)
November 21, 1835

July 17, 1837
(resigned)
Democratic 1835
9 Hugh McVay.jpg Hugh McVay
    April 29, 1766 – May 9, 1851   
(aged 85)
July 17, 1837

November 21, 1837
(not candidate for election)
Democratic Succeeded from
President of
the Senate
10 Arthur bagby.jpg Arthur P. Bagby
    1794 – September 21, 1858   
(aged 63 or 64)
November 21, 1837

November 22, 1841
(term-limited)
Democratic 1837
1839
11 Hon. Benjamin Fitzpatrick, Ala - NARA - 528657.jpg Benjamin Fitzpatrick
    June 30, 1802 – November 21, 1869   
(aged 67)
November 22, 1841

December 10, 1845
(term-limited)
Democratic 1841
1843
12 Gov. Joshua L. Martin.jpg Joshua L. Martin
    December 5, 1799 – November 2, 1856   
(aged 56)
December 10, 1845

December 16, 1847
(withdrew from election)
Independent 1845
13 Governor Reuben Chapman.jpg Reuben Chapman
    July 15, 1799 – May 17, 1882   
(aged 82)
December 16, 1847

December 17, 1849
(lost renomination)
Democratic 1847
14 Governor Henry Watkins Collier.jpg Henry W. Collier
    January 17, 1801 – August 28, 1855   
(aged 54)
December 17, 1849

December 20, 1853
(term-limited)
Democratic 1849
1851
15 John A. Winston.jpg John A. Winston
    Septembere 4, 1812 – December 21, 1871   
(aged 59)
December 20, 1853

December 1, 1857
(term-limited)
Democratic 1853
1855
16 Andrew B. Moore.jpg Andrew B. Moore
    March 7, 1807 – April 5, 1873   
(aged 66)
December 1, 1857

December 2, 1861
(term-limited)
Democratic 1857
1859
17 John Gill Shorter.jpg John Gill Shorter
    April 23, 1818 – May 29, 1872   
(aged 54)
December 2, 1861

December 1, 1863
(lost election)
Democratic 1861
18 Thomas Hill Watts 1860s.jpg Thomas H. Watts
    January 3, 1819 – September 16, 1892   
(aged 73)
December 1, 1863

May 3, 1865
(arrested and removed)
Whig 1863
Vacant May 3, 1865

June 21, 1865
Office vacated
after civil war
19 Lewis E. Parsons - Brady-Handy.jpg Lewis E. Parsons
    April 28, 1817 – June 8, 1895   
(aged 78)
June 21, 1865

December 13, 1865
(provisional term ended)
Provisional
governor
appointed by
President
20 Robert patton.jpg Robert M. Patton
    July 10, 1809 – February 28, 1885   
(aged 75)
December 13, 1865

July 14, 1868
(not candidate for election)
Pre-War Whig 1865
WSwayne.jpg Wager Swayne
    November 10, 1834 – December 20, 1903   
(aged 68)
March 2, 1867

January 11, 1868

(removed)
Military
occupation
21 William Hugh Smith.jpg William Hugh Smith
    April 26, 1826 – January 1, 1899   
(aged 72)
July 14, 1868

November 26, 1870
(lost election)
Republican 1868
  Andrew J. Applegate
(took office August 13, 1868)
(died August 21, 1870)
Vacant
22 Robert B. Lindsay.jpg Robert B. Lindsay
    July 4, 1824 – February 13, 1902   
(aged 77)
November 26, 1870

November 25, 1872
(not candidate for election)
Democratic 1870 Edward H. Moren
23 David P. Lewis.jpg David P. Lewis
    May 18, 1820 – July 3, 1884   
(aged 64)
November 17, 1872

November 24, 1874
(lost election)
Republican 1872 Alexander McKinstry
24 George S. Houston - Brady-Handy.jpg George S. Houston
    January 17, 1811 – December 31, 1879   
(aged 68)
November 24, 1874

November 27, 1878
(not candidate for election)
Democratic 1874 Robert F. Ligon
1876 Office did not exist
25 Rufus W. Cobb.jpg Rufus W. Cobb
    February 25, 1829 – November 26, 1913   
(aged 84)
November 27, 1878

December 1, 1882
(not candidate for election)
Democratic 1878
1880
26 Edward A. O'Neal.jpg Edward A. O'Neal
    September 20, 1818 – November 7, 1890   
(aged 72)
December 1, 1882

December 1, 1886
(not candidate for election)
Democratic 1882
1884
27 GOVTHOMASSEAY.JPG Thomas Seay
    November 20, 1846 – March 30, 1896   
(aged 49)
December 1, 1886

December 1, 1890
(not candidate for election)
Democratic 1886
1888
28 Thomas Goode Jones.jpg Thomas G. Jones
    November 26, 1844 – April 28, 1914   
(aged 69)
December 1, 1890

December 1, 1894
(not candidate for election)
Democratic 1890
1892
29 Governor William Calvin Oates.jpg William C. Oates
    November 30, 1835 – September 9, 1910   
(aged 74)
December 1, 1894

December 1, 1896
(not candidate for election)
Democratic 1894
30 Joseph F Johnston-photo portrait.jpg Joseph F. Johnston
    March 30, 1843 – August 8, 1913   
(aged 70)
December 1, 1896

December 1, 1900
(not candidate for election)
Democratic 1896
1898
William D. Jelks.jpg William D. Jelks
    November 7, 1855 – December 13, 1931   
(aged 76)
December 1, 1900

December 26, 1900

(acting)
Democratic 1900
31 William J. Samford.jpg William J. Samford
    September 16, 1844 – June 11, 1901   
(aged 56)
December 1, 1900

June 11, 1901
(died in office)
Democratic
32 William D. Jelks.jpg William D. Jelks
    November 7, 1855 – December 13, 1931   
(aged 76)
June 11, 1901

January 14, 1907
(term-limited)
Democratic Succeeded from
President of
the Senate
1902 Russell McWhortor Cunningham
(acted as governor
April 25, 1904–March 5, 1905)
33 Braxton Bragg Comer.jpg B. B. Comer
    November 7, 1848 – August 15, 1927   
(aged 78)
January 14, 1907

January 16, 1911
(term-limited)
Democratic 1906 Henry B. Gray
34 Emmet O'Neal cropped.jpg Emmet O'Neal
    September 23, 1853 – September 7, 1922   
(aged 68)
January 17, 1911

January 18, 1915
(term-limited)
Democratic 1910 Walter D. Seed Sr.
35 Governor Charles Henderson.jpg Charles Henderson
    April 26, 1860 – January 7, 1937   
(aged 76)
January 19, 1915

January 20, 1919
(term-limited)
Democratic 1914 Thomas Kilby
36 Thomas Kilby.jpg Thomas Kilby
    July 9, 1865 – October 33, 1943   
(aged 78)
January 21, 1919

January 15, 1923
(term-limited)
Democratic 1918 Nathan Lee Miller
37 Governor William W. Brandon.jpg William W. Brandon
    June 5, 1868 – December 7, 1934   
(aged 66)
January 16, 1923

January 17, 1927
(term-limited)
Democratic 1922 Charles S. McDowell
(acted as governor
July 10, 1924–July 11, 1924)
38 Bibb Graves.jpg Bibb Graves
    April 1, 1873 – March 14, 1942   
(aged 68)
January 18, 1927

January 19, 1931
(term-limited)
Democratic 1926 William C. Davis
39 Benjamin Meek Miller (Alabama Governor).jpg Benjamin M. Miller
    March 13, 1864 – February 6, 1944   
(aged 79)
January 20, 1931

January 14, 1935
(term-limited)
Democratic 1930 Hugh Davis Merrill
38 Bibb Graves.jpg Bibb Graves
    April 1, 1873 – March 14, 1942   
(aged 68)
January 15, 1935

January 16, 1939
(term-limited)
Democratic 1934 Thomas E. Knight
(died May 17, 1937)
Vacant
40 Frank M. Dixon 1942 Auburn-3 (cropped).jpg Frank M. Dixon
    July 25, 1892 – October 11, 1965   
(aged 73)
January 17, 1939

January 18, 1943
(term-limited)
Democratic 1938 Albert A. Carmichael
41 Chauncey Sparks.jpg Chauncey Sparks
    October 8, 1884 – November 6, 1968   
(aged 84)
January 19, 1943

January 20, 1947
(term-limited)
Democratic 1942 Leven H. Ellis
42 Jim Folsom.jpg Jim Folsom
    October 9, 1908 – November 21, 1987   
(aged 79)
January 21, 1947

January 15, 1951
(term-limited)
Democratic 1946 James C. Inzer
43 Gordon Persons.jpg Gordon Persons
    February 5, 1902 – May 29, 1965   
(aged 63)
January 16, 1951

January 17, 1955
(term-limited)
Democratic 1950 James Allen
42 Jim Folsom.jpg Jim Folsom
    October 9, 1908 – November 21, 1987   
(aged 79)
January 18, 1955

January 19, 1959
(term-limited)
Democratic 1954 William G. Hardwick
44 John Malcolm Patterson.jpg John M. Patterson
    September 27, 1921 – June 4, 2021   
(aged 99)
January 20, 1959

January 14, 1963
(term-limited)
Democratic 1958 Albert Boutwell
45 George C Wallace.jpg George Wallace
    August 25, 1919 – September 13, 1998   
(aged 79)
January 15, 1963

January 16, 1967
(term-limited)
Democratic 1962 James Allen
46 Lurleen Wallace.jpg Lurleen Wallace
    September 19, 1926 – May 7, 1968   
(aged 41)
January 17, 1967

May 7, 1968
(died in office)
Democratic 1966 Albert Brewer
(acted as governor
July 25, 1967)
47 Governor Albert Brewer 1970.jpg Albert Brewer
    October 26, 1928 – January 2, 2017   
(aged 88)
May 7, 1968

January 18, 1971
(lost renomination)
Democratic Succeeded from
Lieutenant
Governor
Vacant
45 George C Wallace.jpg George Wallace
    August 25, 1919 – September 13, 1998   
(aged 79)
January 19, 1971

January 15, 1979
(term-limited)
Democratic 1970 Jere Beasley
(acted as governor
June 5, 1972–July 7, 1972)
1974
48 Reagan Contact Sheet C1331 (cropped2) (cropped).jpg Fob James
    (1934-09-15) September 15, 1934 (age 89)
January 16, 1979

January 17, 1983
(lost renomination)
Democratic 1978 George McMillan
45 Governor George Wallace (205360242).jpg George Wallace
    August 25, 1919 – September 13, 1998   
(aged 79)
January 18, 1983

January 19, 1987
(not candidate for election)
Democratic 1982 Bill Baxley
49 HGuyHunt (cropped).JPG H. Guy Hunt
    June 17, 1933 – January 30, 2009   
(aged 75)
January 20, 1987

April 22, 1993
(resigned)
Republican 1986 Jim Folsom Jr.
1990
50 Jim Folsom Jr..jpg Jim Folsom Jr.
    (1949-05-14) May 14, 1949 (age 74)
April 22, 1993

January 16, 1995
(lost election)
Democratic Succeeded from
Lieutenant
Governor
Vacant
48 Reagan Contact Sheet C1331 (cropped2) (cropped).jpg Fob James
    (1934-09-15) September 15, 1934 (age 89)
January 17, 1995

January 18, 1999
(lost election)
Republican 1994 Don Siegelman
51 Don Siegelman at Netroots Nation 2008 (cropped).jpg Don Siegelman
    (1946-02-24) February 24, 1946 (age 78)
January 19, 1999

January 20, 2003
(lost election)
Democratic 1998 Steve Windom
52 Governor Bob Riley (cropped).jpg Bob Riley
    (1944-10-03) October 3, 1944 (age 79)
January 21, 2003

January 17, 2011
(term-limited)
Republican 2002 Lucy Baxley
2006 Jim Folsom Jr.
53 Robert Bentley.jpg Robert J. Bentley
    (1943-02-03) February 3, 1943 (age 81)
January 18, 2011

April 10, 2017
(resigned)
Republican 2010 Kay Ivey
2014
54 Governor Kay Ivey 2017 (cropped).jpg Kay Ivey
    (1944-10-15) October 15, 1944 (age 79)
April 10, 2017

Incumbent
Republican Succeeded from
Lieutenant
Governor
Vacant
2018 Will Ainsworth
2022

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Anexo:Gobernadores de Alabama para niños

  • List of Alabama state legislatures
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List of governors of Alabama Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.