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List of governors of Idaho facts for kids

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Governor of Idaho
Seal of Idaho.svg
Brad Little official photo (cropped).jpg
Incumbent
Brad Little

since January 7, 2019
Government of Idaho
Residence None
Term length Four years, no term limit
Inaugural holder George L. Shoup
Formation October 1, 1890
Succession Line of succession
Deputy Lieutenant Governor of Idaho
Salary $117,000 (2013)

The governor of Idaho is like the chief executive officer for the state of Idaho. This person is the head of government and also the commander-in-chief of Idaho's military forces. The governor's main job is to make sure state laws are followed. They also have the power to approve or reject bills that the Idaho Legislature passes.

The current governor of Idaho is Brad Little. He is a member of the Republican Party and started his term on January 7, 2019. Since Idaho became a state in 1890, 31 different people have served as governor. Two of them served terms that were not back-to-back. The first governor, George L. Shoup, had the shortest term, lasting only three months. Cecil Andrus served the longest, for 14 years.

Idaho's Early Governors: The Territory Years

Idaho Territory was created on March 4, 1863. It was formed from parts of other territories like Dakota, Nebraska, and Washington.

Before Idaho became a state, it had sixteen territorial governors. These governors were chosen by the president of the United States. Because Washington, D.C., was so far from Boise, it often took a long time for a new governor to arrive. In fact, four governors even resigned before they ever reached Idaho!

Governors of Idaho Territory
No. Governor Term in office Appointed by
1 William H. Wallace.jpg William H. Wallace
(1811–1879)
March 10, 1863

December 1863
(resigned)
Lincoln, AbrahamAbraham Lincoln
2 Caleb Lyon.jpg Caleb Lyon
(1822–1875)
February 26, 1864

June 14, 1866
(successor appointed)
Lincoln, AbrahamAbraham Lincoln
3 Davidwballard.jpg David W. Ballard
(1824–1883)
April 10, 1866

July 16, 1870
(successor appointed)
Johnson, AndrewAndrew Johnson
Samuel Bard 1823-1878 (Idaho Governor), front.jpg Samuel Bard
(1825–1878)
March 30, 1870

June 5, 1870
(resigned before taking office)
Grant, Ulysses S.Ulysses S. Grant
Gilman Marston - Brady-Handy.jpg Gilman Marston
(1811–1890)
June 7, 1870

December 3, 1870
(resigned before taking office)
Grant, Ulysses S.Ulysses S. Grant
Alexander H. Conner (Idaho Governor).jpg Alexander H. Conner
(1831–1891)
January 12, 1871

April 19, 1871
(resigned before taking office)
Grant, Ulysses S.Ulysses S. Grant
4 ThomasMBowen.jpg Thomas M. Bowen
(1835–1906)
April 19, 1871

September 30, 1871
(resigned)
Grant, Ulysses S.Ulysses S. Grant
5 Thomas W. Bennett territorial governor - Brady-Handy.jpg Thomas W. Bennett
(1831–1893)
October 24, 1871

December 4, 1875
(resigned)
Grant, Ulysses S.Ulysses S. Grant
6 Davidpthompson.jpg David P. Thompson
(1834–1901)
December 16, 1875

July 1, 1876
(resigned)
Grant, Ulysses S.Ulysses S. Grant
7 Masonbrayman.jpg Mason Brayman
(1813–1895)
July 24, 1876

July 24, 1880
(successor appointed)
Grant, Ulysses S.Ulysses S. Grant
8 Johnbaldwinneil.jpg John Baldwin Neil
(1842–1902)
July 12, 1880

March 2, 1883
(successor appointed)
Hayes, Rutherford B.Rutherford B. Hayes
9 John Nichol Irwin - oval.jpg John N. Irwin
(1844–1905)
March 2, 1883

December 20, 1883
(resigned)
Arthur, Chester A.Chester A. Arthur
10 William Malcolm Bunn.jpg William M. Bunn
(1842–1923)
March 26, 1884

July 3, 1885
(resigned)
Arthur, Chester A.Chester A. Arthur
11 Edwardastevenson.PNG Edward A. Stevenson
(1831–1895)
September 29, 1885

April 1, 1889
(successor appointed)
Cleveland, GroverGrover Cleveland
12 Georgelshoup.jpg George L. Shoup
(1836–1904)
April 1, 1889

December 8, 1890
(elected state governor)
Harrison, BenjaminBenjamin Harrison

Idaho's State Governors: Leading the Gem State

2018-07-16 Idaho State Capitol 10
The beautiful Idaho State Capitol building, where the governor's office is located.

Idaho officially became a state in the Union on July 3, 1890. The governor and lieutenant governor of Idaho serve four-year terms. These terms start on the first Monday in January after the election. Before 1946, governors only served two-year terms.

If the governor's office becomes empty, or if the governor is out of state or cannot do their job, the lieutenant governor steps in. They act as governor until the situation changes. If both the governor and lieutenant governor cannot serve, the President pro tempore of the Idaho Senate is next in line. After that, it's the Speaker of the Idaho House of Representatives.

A rule used to say that a governor could not be re-elected right after their term. But in 1956, voters approved a change to the state constitution. This change allowed governors to run for re-election. Now, there is no limit to how many terms a governor can serve. The governor and lieutenant governor are elected at the same time, but they are not on the same ballot.


Governors of the State of Idaho
No. Governor Term in office Party Election Lt. Governor
1 Georgelshoup.jpg   George L. Shoup
(1836–1904)
December 8, 1890

December 19, 1890
(resigned)
Republican 1890   Willey, N. B.N. B. Willey
2 Norman Bushnell Willey (Idaho Governor).jpg N. B. Willey
(1838–1921)
December 19, 1890

January 2, 1893
(lost nomination)
Republican Succeeded from
lieutenant
governor
Gray, John S.John S. Gray
3 Williammcconnell.jpg William J. McConnell
(1839–1925)
January 2, 1893

January 4, 1897
(did not run)
Republican 1892 Willis, F. B.F. B. Willis
1894 Mills, F. J.F. J. Mills
4 Franksteunenberg.jpg Frank Steunenberg
(1861–1905)
January 4, 1897

January 7, 1901
(did not run)
Democratic 1896 Moore, George F.George F. Moore
1898 Hutchinson, J. H.J. H. Hutchinson
5 Frankwhunt.PNG Frank W. Hunt
(1861–1906)
January 7, 1901

January 5, 1903
(lost election)
Democratic 1900 Terrell, Thomas F.Thomas F. Terrell
6 John T. Morrison.jpg John T. Morrison
(1860–1915)
January 5, 1903

January 2, 1905
(lost nomination)
Republican 1902 Stevens, James M.James M. Stevens
7 Frankgooding.jpg Frank R. Gooding
(1859–1928)
January 2, 1905

January 4, 1909
(did not run)
Republican 1904 Steeves, Burpee L.Burpee L. Steeves
1906 Burrell, Ezra A.Ezra A. Burrell
8 Jamesbrady.jpg James H. Brady
(1862–1918)
January 4, 1909

January 2, 1911
(lost election)
Republican 1908 Sweetser, Lewis H.Lewis H. Sweetser
9 JamesHHawley.jpg James H. Hawley
(1847–1929)
January 2, 1911

January 6, 1913
(lost election)
Democratic 1910
10 Johnmhaines.jpg John M. Haines
(1863–1917)
January 6, 1913

January 4, 1915
(lost election)
Republican 1912 Taylor, Herman H.Herman H. Taylor
11 Mosesalexander.jpg Moses Alexander
(1853–1932)
January 4, 1915

January 6, 1919
(did not run)
Democratic 1914
1916 Parker, Ernest L.Ernest L. Parker
12 DWDavis.jpg D. W. Davis
(1873–1959)
January 6, 1919

January 1, 1923
(did not run)
Republican 1918 Moore, Charles C.Charles C. Moore
1920
13 Charles C. Moore 1904.jpg Charles C. Moore
(1866–1958)
January 1, 1923

January 3, 1927
(did not run)
Republican 1922 Baldridge, H. C.H. C. Baldridge
1924
14 HCBaldridge (cropped).jpg H. C. Baldridge
(1868–1947)
January 3, 1927

January 5, 1931
(did not run)
Republican 1926 Hailey, O. E.O. E. Hailey
1928 Kinne, W. B.W. B. Kinne
(died October 1, 1929)
Vacant
Hailey, O. E.O. E. Hailey
(appointed October 25, 1929)
15 C. Ben Ross (Idaho Governor).jpg C. Ben Ross
(1876–1946)
January 5, 1931

January 4, 1937
(did not run)
Democratic 1930 Mix, G. P.G. P. Mix
1932 Hill, GeorgeGeorge Hill
1934 Mix, G. P.G. P. Mix
16 Barzilla W. Clark (Idaho Governor).jpg Barzilla W. Clark
(1880–1943)
January 4, 1937

January 2, 1939
(lost nomination)
Democratic 1936 Gossett, Charles C.Charles C. Gossett
17 C. A. Bottolfsen (Idaho Governor).jpg C. A. Bottolfsen
(1890–1964)
January 2, 1939

January 6, 1941
(lost election)
Republican 1938 Whitehead, Donald S.Donald S. Whitehead
18 Chase A. Clark (Idaho governor).jpg Chase A. Clark
(1883–1966)
January 6, 1941

January 4, 1943
(lost election)
Democratic 1940 Gossett, Charles C.Charles C. Gossett
19 C. A. Bottolfsen (Idaho Governor).jpg C. A. Bottolfsen
(1890–1964)
January 4, 1943

January 1, 1945
(did not run)
Republican 1942 Nelson, EdwinEdwin Nelson
20 Charlescgossett.jpg Charles C. Gossett
(1888–1974)
January 1, 1945

November 17, 1945
(resigned)
Democratic 1944 Williams, ArnoldArnold Williams
21 Arnold Williams (Idaho Governor).jpg Arnold Williams
(1898–1970)
November 17, 1945

January 6, 1947
(lost election)
Democratic Succeeded from
lieutenant
governor
Vacant
McCabe, A. R.A. R. McCabe
(appointed March 20, 1946)
22 C. A. Robins (Idaho Governor) (cropped).jpg C. A. Robins
(1884–1970)
January 6, 1947

January 1, 1951
(term-limited)
Republican 1946 Whitehead, Donald S.Donald S. Whitehead
23 Lenjordan.jpg Leonard B. Jordan
(1899–1983)
January 1, 1951

January 3, 1955
(term-limited)
Republican 1950 Deal, Edson H.Edson H. Deal
24 Robert E. Smylie.jpg Robert E. Smylie
(1914–2004)
January 3, 1955

January 2, 1967
(lost nomination)
Republican 1954 Larsen, J. BerkeleyJ. Berkeley Larsen
1958 Drevlow, W. E.W. E. Drevlow
1962
25 Don Samuelson.jpg Don Samuelson
(1913–2000)
January 2, 1967

January 4, 1971
(lost election)
Republican 1966 Murphy, Jack M.Jack M. Murphy
26 Cecil D Andrus.png Cecil Andrus
(1931–2017)
January 4, 1971

January 24, 1977
(resigned)
Democratic 1970
1974 Evans, JohnJohn Evans
27 John V. Evans (Idaho Governor).jpg John Evans
(1925–2014)
January 24, 1977

January 5, 1987
(did not run)
Democratic Succeeded from
lieutenant
governor
Vacant
Murphy, William J.William J. Murphy
(appointed January 28, 1977)
1978 Batt, PhilPhil Batt
1982 Leroy, David H.David H. Leroy
28 Cecil D Andrus.png Cecil Andrus
(1931–2017)
January 5, 1987

January 2, 1995
(did not run)
Democratic 1986 Otter, ButchButch Otter
(resigned January 3, 2001)
1990
29 Phil Batt 2010 (cropped).jpg Phil Batt
(1927–2023)
January 2, 1995

January 4, 1999
(did not run)
Republican 1994
30 Dirkkempthornesenate.jpg Dirk Kempthorne
(b. 1951)
January 4, 1999

May 26, 2006
(resigned)
Republican 1998
Vacant
Riggs, JackJack Riggs
(appointed January 30, 2001)
2002 Risch, JimJim Risch
31 James E. Risch, official Senate photo portrait, 2009.jpg Jim Risch
(b. 1943)
May 26, 2006

January 1, 2007
(did not run)
Republican Succeeded from
lieutenant
governor
Vacant
Ricks, MarkMark Ricks
(appointed June 15, 2006)
32 Butchotter.jpg Butch Otter
(b. 1942)
January 1, 2007

January 7, 2019
(did not run)
Republican 2006 Risch, JimJim Risch
(resigned January 3, 2009)
Vacant
Little, BradBrad Little
(appointed January 6, 2009)
2010
2014
33 Brad Little official photo.jpg Brad Little
(b. 1954)
January 7, 2019

Incumbent
Republican 2018 McGeachin, JaniceJanice McGeachin
2022 Bedke, ScottScott Bedke

Timeline of Idaho Governors

See also

  • List of lieutenant governors of Idaho
  • Gubernatorial lines of succession in the United States#Idaho
  • List of Idaho state legislatures
  • Elections in Idaho
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