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List of governors of Delaware facts for kids

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Governor of Delaware
Seal of Delaware.svg
Matt Meyer.png
Incumbent
Matt Meyer

since January 21, 2025
Government of Delaware
Style The Honorable
Residence Delaware Governor's Mansion
Dover, Delaware
Term length Four years, renewable once
Inaugural holder John McKinly
Formation February 12, 1777
Deputy Lieutenant Governor of Delaware
Salary $171,000 (2013)

The governor of Delaware is like the chief executive officer for the state. From 1776 to 1792, this role was called the president of Delaware. The governor is in charge of the state government. They also lead Delaware's military forces, known as the Delaware National Guard.

The governor's main jobs include making sure state laws are followed. They can also approve or reject new laws passed by the Delaware Legislature. The governor can call the legislature together for special meetings. They can also grant pardons, which means forgiving someone for a crime. However, they cannot do this in cases of impeachment, and only if the Board of Pardons recommends it.

So far, 71 different people have served as governor. Some, like Joseph Haslet, Charles Polk Jr., and Elbert N. Carvel, served more than one term but not back-to-back. Sadly, Henry Molleston was elected but passed away before he could start his term. Only four governors have been elected for two terms in a row. The longest-serving governor was Ruth Ann Minner. She served for just over eight years after taking over from someone else and then being elected twice.

The shortest terms were held by Bethany Hall-Long, who served 15 days. Dale E. Wolf served 18 days, and David P. Buckson served 19 days. These short terms happened when the previous governor left office early. The current governor is Democrat Matt Meyer. He started his term on January 21, 2025.

Understanding the Governor's Role

The governor of Delaware is the top leader of the state. They have many important duties. These include making sure laws are carried out. They also have a say in new laws. The governor can approve them or use a veto to stop them. This is a big part of how laws are made in Delaware.

How the Governor's Job Changed

Before 1776, Delaware was a colony of Great Britain. It was managed by governors from Pennsylvania. They called it the "Lower Counties on Delaware."

In 1776, Delaware became independent from Britain. The state then created its first constitution. This document set up the "President of Delaware" role. The legislature chose this leader for a three-year term. They could not be president again right away.

The name of the office changed to "Governor" in 1792. This was when a new constitution was adopted. It said the governor's term would start on the third Tuesday in January after an election. Governors could only serve three years out of any six-year period. The 1831 constitution made the term four years long. But governors could only serve one term. The current constitution from 1897 allows governors to serve two terms.

Who Takes Over if the Governor Leaves Office?

The 1776 constitution said that if the president's job was empty, the speaker of the legislative council would become a "vice-president." The 1792 constitution stated that the speaker of the senate would take over. The 1897 constitution created the lieutenant governor position. This person takes over if the governor's office becomes empty. The governor and lieutenant governor are elected at the same time. However, they are not always on the same election ticket.


Governors of the State of Delaware
No. Governor Term in office Party Election Lt. Governor
1 No image.svg   John McKinly
(1721–1796)
February 21, 1777

September 12, 1777
(left office)
No parties 1777 Office did not exist
2 ThomasMcKean.gif Thomas McKean
(1734–1817)
September 12, 1777

October 20, 1777
(successor took office)
Speaker of the
Assembly
acting as
vice-president
3 GeorgeRead.gif George Read
(1733–1798)
October 20, 1777

March 31, 1778
(did not run)
Speaker of the
Legislative
Council
serving as
vice-president
4 CaesarRodney.jpeg Caesar Rodney
(1728–1784)
March 31, 1778

November 13, 1781
(term-limited)
1778
5 JohnDickinson4.gif John Dickinson
(1732–1808)
November 13, 1781

January 13, 1783
(resigned)
1781
6 No image.svg John Cook
(1730–1789)
January 13, 1783

February 8, 1783
(did not run)
Speaker of the
Legislative
Council
serving as
vice-president
7 No image.svg Nicholas Van Dyke
(1738–1789)
February 8, 1783

October 28, 1786
(term-limited)
1783
(special)
8 ThomasCollins.gif Thomas Collins
(1732–1789)
October 28, 1786

March 29, 1789
(died in office)
1786
9 No image.svg Jehu Davis
(1738–1802)
March 29, 1789

June 2, 1789
(did not run)
Speaker of the
Legislative
Council
serving as
vice-president
10 JoshuaClayton.gif Joshua Clayton
(1744–1798)
June 2, 1789

January 13, 1796
(term-limited)
Federalist 1789
1792
11 Gunning Bedford (Senior).jpg Gunning Bedford Sr.
(1742–1797)
January 13, 1796

September 28, 1797
(died in office)
Federalist 1795
12 No image.svg Daniel Rogers
(1754–1806)
September 28, 1797

January 9, 1799
(successor took office)
Federalist Speaker of
the Senate
acting
13 Richard bassett.jpg Richard Bassett
(1745–1815)
January 9, 1799

March 3, 1801
(resigned)
Federalist 1798
14 No image.svg James Sykes
(1761–1822)
March 3, 1801

January 19, 1802
(successor took office)
Federalist Speaker of
the Senate
acting
15 David Hall (Delaware Governor).jpg David Hall
(1752–1817)
January 19, 1802

January 15, 1805
(term-limited)
Democratic-
Republican
1801
16 No image.svg Nathaniel Mitchell
(1753–1814)
January 15, 1805

January 19, 1808
(term-limited)
Federalist 1804
17 No image.svg George Truitt
(1756–1818)
January 19, 1808

January 15, 1811
(term-limited)
Federalist 1807
18 No image.svg Joseph Haslet
(1769–1823)
January 15, 1811

January 18, 1814
(term-limited)
Democratic-
Republican
1810
19 Daniel Rodney.jpg Daniel Rodney
(1764–1846)
January 18, 1814

January 21, 1817
(term-limited)
Federalist 1813
20 Delaware governor John Clark.png John Clark
(1761–1821)
January 21, 1817

January 15, 1820
(resigned)
Federalist 1816
No image.svg Henry Molleston
(1762–1819)
Died before
taking office
Federalist 1819
21 No image.svg Jacob Stout
(1764–1855)
January 15, 1820

January 16, 1821
(successor took office)
Federalist Speaker of
the Senate
acting
22 No image.svg John Collins
(1776–1822)
January 16, 1821

April 16, 1822
(died in office)
Democratic-
Republican
1820
(special)
23 No image.svg Caleb Rodney
(1767–1840)
April 23, 1822

January 21, 1823
(did not run)
Federalist Speaker of
the Senate
acting
24 No image.svg Joseph Haslet
(1769–1823)
January 21, 1823

June 20, 1823
(died in office)
Democratic-
Republican
1822
25 No image.svg Charles Thomas
(1790–1848)
June 20, 1823

January 20, 1824
(successor took office)
Democratic-
Republican
Speaker of
the Senate
acting
26 SamuelPaynter.gif Samuel Paynter
(1768–1845)
January 20, 1824

January 16, 1827
(term-limited)
Federalist 1823
(special)
27 CharlesPolk.png Charles Polk Jr.
(1788–1857)
January 16, 1827

January 19, 1830
(term-limited)
Federalist 1826
28 DavidHazzard.png David Hazzard
(1781–1864)
January 19, 1830

January 15, 1833
(term-limited)
National
Republican
1829
29 CalebBennett.png Caleb P. Bennett
(1758–1836)
January 15, 1833

May 9, 1836
(died in office)
Democratic 1832
30 CharlesPolk.png Charles Polk Jr.
(1788–1857)
May 9, 1836

January 17, 1837
(successor took office)
Whig Speaker of
the Senate
acting
31 CorneliusComegys.png Cornelius P. Comegys
(1780–1851)
January 17, 1837

January 19, 1841
(term-limited)
Whig 1836
32 No image.svg William B. Cooper
(1771–1849)
January 19, 1841

January 21, 1845
(term-limited)
Whig 1840
33 ThomasStockton.gif Thomas Stockton
(1781–1846)
January 21, 1845

March 2, 1846
(died in office)
Whig 1844
34 JosephMaull.gif Joseph Maull
(1781–1846)
March 2, 1846

May 3, 1846
(died in office)
Whig Speaker of
the Senate
acting
35 WilliamTemple.gif William Temple
(1814–1863)
May 6, 1846

January 19, 1847
(successor took office)
Whig Speaker of
the Senate
acting
36 WilliamTharp.gif William Tharp
(1803–1865)
January 19, 1847

January 21, 1851
(term-limited)
Democratic 1846
(special)
37 WilliamRoss.gif William H. H. Ross
(1814–1887)
January 21, 1851

January 16, 1855
(term-limited)
Democratic 1850
38 PeterCausey.gif Peter F. Causey
(1801–1871)
January 16, 1855

January 18, 1859
(term-limited)
American 1854
39 William Burton (governor).jpg William Burton
(1789–1866)
January 18, 1859

January 20, 1863
(term-limited)
Democratic 1858
40 WilliamCannon.gif William Cannon
(1809–1865)
January 20, 1863

March 1, 1865
(died in office)
Republican 1862
41 GoveSaulsbury.gif Gove Saulsbury
(1815–1881)
March 1, 1865

January 17, 1871
(term-limited)
Democratic Speaker of
the Senate
acting
1866
42 JamesPonder.gif James Ponder
(1819–1897)
January 17, 1871

January 19, 1875
(term-limited)
Democratic 1870
43 CochranJohn.png John P. Cochran
(1809–1898)
January 19, 1875

January 21, 1879
(term-limited)
Democratic 1874
44 HallJohnWood.gif John W. Hall
(1817–1892)
January 21, 1879

January 16, 1883
(term-limited)
Democratic 1878
45 StockleyCharles.gif Charles C. Stockley
(1819–1901)
January 16, 1883

January 18, 1887
(term-limited)
Democratic 1882
46 BenjaminBiggs.png Benjamin T. Biggs
(1821–1893)
January 18, 1887

January 20, 1891
(term-limited)
Democratic 1886
47 RobertReynolds.gif Robert J. Reynolds
(1838–1909)
January 20, 1891

January 15, 1895
(term-limited)
Democratic 1890
48 MarvilJoshua.gif Joshua H. Marvil
(1825–1895)
January 15, 1895

April 8, 1895
(died in office)
Republican 1894
49 WilliamTharpWatson.gif William T. Watson
(1849–1917)
April 8, 1895

January 19, 1897
(successor took office)
Democratic Speaker of
the Senate
acting
50 Ebetunnell.png Ebe W. Tunnell
(1844–1917)
January 19, 1897

January 15, 1901
(did not run)
Democratic 1896
51 Hunn.gif John Hunn
(1849–1926)
January 15, 1901

January 17, 1905
(did not run)
Republican 1900   Cannon, Philip L.Philip L. Cannon
52 Preston Lea.gif Preston Lea
(1841–1916)
January 17, 1905

January 19, 1909
(did not run)
Republican 1904 Parker, Isaac T.Isaac T. Parker
53 PENNEWILL, S.S. GOVERNOR LCCN2016857560 (cropped).jpg Simeon S. Pennewill
(1867–1935)
January 19, 1909

January 21, 1913
(did not run)
Republican 1908 Mendinhall, John M.John M. Mendinhall
54 Miller 2989417695 76253e1e15 o.jpg Charles R. Miller
(1857–1927)
January 21, 1913

January 16, 1917
(did not run)
Republican 1912 Ferguson, ColenColen Ferguson
55 John G. Townsend Jr.
(1871–1964)
January 16, 1917

January 18, 1921
(did not run)
Republican 1916 Eliason, Lewis E.Lewis E. Eliason
56 William duHamel Denney.png William D. Denney
(1873–1953)
January 18, 1921

January 20, 1925
(did not run)
Republican 1920 Bush, J. DanforthJ. Danforth Bush
57 Robert P. Robinson LCCN2014717858.jpg Robert P. Robinson
(1869–1939)
January 20, 1925

January 15, 1929
(did not run)
Republican 1924 Anderson, James H.James H. Anderson
58 C. Douglass Buck.jpg C. Douglass Buck
(1890–1965)
January 15, 1929

January 19, 1937
(term-limited)
Republican 1928 Hazel, James H.James H. Hazel
1932 Corley, Roy F.Roy F. Corley
59 No image.svg Richard McMullen
(1868–1944)
January 19, 1937

January 21, 1941
(did not run)
Democratic 1936 Cooch, Edward W.Edward W. Cooch
60 No image.svg Walter W. Bacon
(1880–1962)
January 21, 1941

January 18, 1949
(term-limited)
Republican 1940 MacCollum, Isaac J.Isaac J. MacCollum
1944 Carvel, Elbert N.Elbert N. Carvel
61 Elbert N. Carvel (DE 2).png Elbert N. Carvel
(1910–2005)
January 18, 1949

January 20, 1953
(lost election)
Democratic 1948 Bayard, Alexis I. du PontAlexis I. du Pont Bayard
62 J. Caleb Boggs.jpg J. Caleb Boggs
(1909–1993)
January 20, 1953

December 30, 1960
(resigned)
Republican 1952 Rollins, John W.John W. Rollins
1956 Buckson, David P.David P. Buckson
63 David Buckson (DE).png David P. Buckson
(1920–2017)
December 30, 1960

January 17, 1961
(successor took office)
Republican Succeeded from
lieutenant
governor
Vacant
64 Elbert Carvel (1963) (cropped).png Elbert N. Carvel
(1910–2005)
January 17, 1961

January 19, 1965
(term-limited)
Democratic 1960 Lammot, EugeneEugene Lammot
65 Charles Terry (1965).png Charles L. Terry Jr.
(1900–1970)
January 19, 1965

January 21, 1969
(lost election)
Democratic 1964 Tribbitt, Sherman W.Sherman W. Tribbitt
66 Russell W. Peterson, c. 1971–1972.jpg Russell W. Peterson
(1916–2011)
January 21, 1969

January 16, 1973
(lost election)
Republican 1968 Bookhammer, EugeneEugene Bookhammer
67 Sherman W. Tribbett (1922–2010), Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Delaware.jpg Sherman W. Tribbitt
(1922–2010)
January 16, 1973

January 18, 1977
(lost election)
Democratic 1972
68 DupontPETE (cropped).jpg Pete du Pont
(1935–2021)
January 18, 1977

January 15, 1985
(term-limited)
Republican 1976 McGinnis, James D.James D. McGinnis
1980 Castle, MikeMike Castle
69 Mike Castle 1982.jpg Mike Castle
(b. 1939)
January 15, 1985

January 2, 1993
(resigned)
Republican 1984 Woo, Shien BiauShien Biau Woo
1988 Wolf, Dale E.Dale E. Wolf
70 Dale E. Wolf.jpg Dale E. Wolf
(1924–2021)
January 3, 1993

January 19, 1993
(successor took office)
Republican Succeeded from
lieutenant
governor
Vacant
71 Thomas Carper.jpg Tom Carper
(b. 1947)
January 19, 1993

January 3, 2001
(resigned)
Democratic 1992 Minner, Ruth AnnRuth Ann Minner
1996
72 Ruth Ann Minner.jpg Ruth Ann Minner
(1935–2021)
January 3, 2001

January 20, 2009
(term-limited)
Democratic Succeeded from
lieutenant
governor
Vacant
2000 Carney, JohnJohn Carney
2004
73 Jack Markell 48-DPA-944 DSC 9158 (cropped).jpg Jack Markell
(b. 1960)
January 20, 2009

January 17, 2017
(term-limited)
Democratic 2008 Denn, MatthewMatthew Denn
(resigned January 6, 2015)
2012
Vacant
74 John C. Carney Jr. 2017.jpg John Carney
(b. 1956)
January 17, 2017

January 7, 2025
(resigned)
Democratic 2016 Hall-Long, BethanyBethany Hall-Long
2020
75 Bethany Hall-Long.jpg Bethany Hall-Long
(b. 1963)
January 7, 2025

January 21, 2025
(successor took office)
Democratic Succeeded from
lieutenant
governor
Vacant
76 Matt Meyer.png Matt Meyer
(b. 1971)
January 21, 2025

Incumbent
Democratic 2024 Gay, Kyle EvansKyle Evans Gay

See Also

  • Delaware gubernatorial elections
  • Gubernatorial lines of succession in the United States#Delaware
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