List of governors of Kansas facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids Governor of Kansas
Standard of the governor
State seal
Incumbent Laura Kelly since January 14, 2019
Government of Kansas
Residence	Cedar Crest
Term length	Four years, renewable once consecutively
Inaugural holder	Charles L. Robinson
Formation	February 9, 1861
Salary	$99,636 (2017)

The governor of Kansas is the head of state of Kansas 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 Kansas Legislature, to convene the legislature at any time, and to grant pardons.

Since becoming a state, Kansas has had 48 governors. The state's longest-serving governors were Robert Docking, John W. Carlin, and Bill Graves, each of whom served 8 years (Docking served four two-year terms; Carlin and Graves each served 2 4-year terms). The shortest-serving governor was John McCuish, who served only 11 days after the resignation of Fred Hall.

The current governor is Democrat Laura Kelly, who took office on January 14, 2019.

List of governors

Kansas Territory

Kansas Territory was organized on May 30, 1854, from land that had previously been part of Missouri Territory. Despite existing only for six years, it had six governors appointed by the president of the United States.

Governors of Kansas Territory
No.		Term in office	Appointed by
1	Andrew Horatio Reeder (1807–1864)	June 29, 1854 – July 31, 1855 (removed)	Pierce, FranklinFranklin Pierce
2	Wilson Shannon (1802–1877)	August 10, 1855 – August 18, 1856 (resigned)	Pierce, FranklinFranklin Pierce
3	John W. Geary (1819–1873)	July 31, 1856 – March 4, 1857 (resigned)	Pierce, FranklinFranklin Pierce
4	Robert J. Walker (1801–1869)	March 30, 1857 – December 17, 1857 (resigned)	Buchanan, JamesJames Buchanan
5	James W. Denver (1817–1892)	February 24, 1858 – November 8, 1858 (resigned)	Buchanan, JamesJames Buchanan
6	Samuel Medary (1801–1864)	November 23, 1858 – December 20, 1860 (resigned)	Buchanan, JamesJames Buchanan

State of Kansas

Flag of the governor prior to 1961. It is unclear when the governor's flag was first created

The eastern bulk of Kansas Territory was admitted to the Union as Kansas on January 29, 1861. The Kansas Constitution provided that a governor and lieutenant governor be elected every 2 years, for a term commencing on the second Monday in the January after the election. An amendment in 1972 increased terms to four years, with a limit that a governor could not serve more than two terms in a row, and provided that the governor and lieutenant governor are elected on the same ticket. In the original constitution, should the office of governor be vacant, the powers would devolve upon the lieutenant governor, who nonetheless would remain in that office; the 1972 amendment changed it so that, in such an event, the lieutenant governor becomes governor.

Until 2018, there was no age or residency requirement to run for the office; in 2017, three teenagers were doing so. In 2018, a law was passed establishing the age to run for governor and lieutenant governor at 25.

Governors of the State of Kansas
No.		Term in office	Party	Election	Lt. Governor
1	Charles L. Robinson (1818–1894)	February 9, 1861 – January 12, 1863 (lost nomination)	Republican	1859		Root, Joseph PomeroyJoseph Pomeroy Root
2	Thomas Carney (1824–1888)	January 12, 1863 – January 9, 1865 (lost nomination)	Republican	1862		Osborn, Thomas A.Thomas A. Osborn
3	Samuel J. Crawford (1835–1913)	January 9, 1865 – November 4, 1868 (resigned)	Republican	1864		McGrew, JamesJames McGrew
3	Samuel J. Crawford (1835–1913)	January 9, 1865 – November 4, 1868 (resigned)	Republican	1866		Green, NehemiahNehemiah Green
4	Nehemiah Green (1837–1890)	November 4, 1868 – January 11, 1869 (successor took office)	Republican	Succeeded from lieutenant governor	Vacant
5	James M. Harvey (1833–1894)	January 11, 1869 – January 13, 1873 (did not run)	Republican	1868		Eskridge, Charles VernonCharles Vernon Eskridge
5	James M. Harvey (1833–1894)	January 11, 1869 – January 13, 1873 (did not run)	Republican	1870		Elder, Peter PercivalPeter Percival Elder
6	Thomas A. Osborn (1836–1898)	January 13, 1873 – January 8, 1877 (did not run)	Republican	1872		Stover, Elias S.Elias S. Stover
6	Thomas A. Osborn (1836–1898)	January 13, 1873 – January 8, 1877 (did not run)	Republican	1874		Salter, Melville J.Melville J. Salter
7	George T. Anthony (1824–1896)	January 8, 1877 – January 13, 1879 (lost nomination)	Republican	1876		Salter, Melville J.Melville J. Salter
7	George T. Anthony (1824–1896)	January 8, 1877 – January 13, 1879 (lost nomination)	Republican	1876		Humphrey, Lyman U.Lyman U. Humphrey
8	John St. John (1833–1916)	January 13, 1879 – January 8, 1883 (lost election)	Republican	1878		Humphrey, Lyman U.Lyman U. Humphrey
8	John St. John (1833–1916)	January 13, 1879 – January 8, 1883 (lost election)	Republican	1880		Finney, David WesleyDavid Wesley Finney
9	George Washington Glick (1827–1911)	January 8, 1883 – January 12, 1885 (lost election)	Democratic	1882		Finney, David WesleyDavid Wesley Finney
10	John Martin (1839–1889)	January 12, 1885 – January 14, 1889 (did not run)	Republican	1884		Riddle, Alexander P.Alexander P. Riddle
10	John Martin (1839–1889)	January 12, 1885 – January 14, 1889 (did not run)	Republican	1886		Riddle, Alexander P.Alexander P. Riddle
11	Lyman U. Humphrey (1844–1915)	January 14, 1889 – January 9, 1893 (did not run)	Republican	1888		Felt, Andrew JacksonAndrew Jackson Felt
11	Lyman U. Humphrey (1844–1915)	January 14, 1889 – January 9, 1893 (did not run)	Republican	1890		Felt, Andrew JacksonAndrew Jackson Felt
12	Lorenzo D. Lewelling (1846–1900)	January 9, 1893 – January 14, 1895 (lost election)	Populist	1892		Daniels, PercyPercy Daniels
13	Edmund Needham Morrill (1834–1909)	January 14, 1895 – January 11, 1897 (lost election)	Republican	1894		Troutman, James ArmstrongJames Armstrong Troutman
14	John W. Leedy (1849–1935)	January 11, 1897 – January 9, 1899 (lost election)	Populist	1896		Harvey, Alexander MillerAlexander Miller Harvey
15	William Eugene Stanley (1844–1910)	January 9, 1899 – January 12, 1903 (did not run)	Republican	1898		Richter, Harry E.Harry E. Richter
15	William Eugene Stanley (1844–1910)	January 9, 1899 – January 12, 1903 (did not run)	Republican	1900		Richter, Harry E.Harry E. Richter
16	Willis J. Bailey (1854–1932)	January 12, 1903 – January 9, 1905 (lost nomination)	Republican	1902		Hanna, David JohnDavid John Hanna
17	Edward W. Hoch (1849–1925)	January 9, 1905 – January 11, 1909 (did not run)	Republican	1904		Hanna, David JohnDavid John Hanna
17	Edward W. Hoch (1849–1925)	January 9, 1905 – January 11, 1909 (did not run)	Republican	1906		Fitzgerald, William JamesWilliam James Fitzgerald
18	Walter R. Stubbs (1858–1929)	January 11, 1909 – January 13, 1913 (did not run)	Republican	1908		Fitzgerald, William JamesWilliam James Fitzgerald
18	Walter R. Stubbs (1858–1929)	January 11, 1909 – January 13, 1913 (did not run)	Republican	1910		Hopkins, Richard JosephRichard Joseph Hopkins
19	George H. Hodges (1866–1947)	January 13, 1913 – January 11, 1915 (lost election)	Democratic	1912		Ingalls, SheffieldSheffield Ingalls
20	Arthur Capper (1865–1951)	January 11, 1915 – January 13, 1919 (did not run)	Republican	1914		Morgan, William YoastWilliam Yoast Morgan
20	Arthur Capper (1865–1951)	January 11, 1915 – January 13, 1919 (did not run)	Republican	1916		Morgan, William YoastWilliam Yoast Morgan
21	Henry Justin Allen (1868–1950)	January 13, 1919 – January 8, 1923 (did not run)	Republican	1918		Huffman, Charles SolomonCharles Solomon Huffman
21	Henry Justin Allen (1868–1950)	January 13, 1919 – January 8, 1923 (did not run)	Republican	1920		Huffman, Charles SolomonCharles Solomon Huffman
22	Jonathan M. Davis (1871–1943)	January 8, 1923 – January 12, 1925 (lost election)	Democratic	1922		Paulen, Benjamin S.Benjamin S. Paulen
23	Benjamin S. Paulen (1869–1961)	January 12, 1925 – January 14, 1929 (did not run)	Republican	1924		Chase, De Lanson Alson NewtonDe Lanson Alson Newton Chase
23	Benjamin S. Paulen (1869–1961)	January 12, 1925 – January 14, 1929 (did not run)	Republican	1926		Chase, De Lanson Alson NewtonDe Lanson Alson Newton Chase
24	Clyde M. Reed (1871–1949)	January 14, 1929 – January 12, 1931 (lost nomination)	Republican	1928		Graybill, Jacob W.Jacob W. Graybill
25	Harry Hines Woodring (1887–1967)	January 12, 1931 – January 9, 1933 (lost election)	Democratic	1930		Graybill, Jacob W.Jacob W. Graybill
26	Alf Landon (1887–1987)	January 9, 1933 – January 11, 1937 (did not run)	Republican	1932		Thompson, Charles W.Charles W. Thompson
26	Alf Landon (1887–1987)	January 9, 1933 – January 11, 1937 (did not run)	Republican	1934		Thompson, Charles W.Charles W. Thompson
27	Walter A. Huxman (1887–1972)	January 11, 1937 – January 9, 1939 (lost election)	Democratic	1936		Lindsay, William M.William M. Lindsay
28	Payne Ratner (1896–1974)	January 9, 1939 – January 11, 1943 (did not run)	Republican	1938		Friend, Carl E.Carl E. Friend
28	Payne Ratner (1896–1974)	January 9, 1939 – January 11, 1943 (did not run)	Republican	1940		Friend, Carl E.Carl E. Friend
29	Andrew Frank Schoeppel (1894–1962)	January 11, 1943 – January 13, 1947 (did not run)	Republican	1942		Denious, Jess C.Jess C. Denious
29	Andrew Frank Schoeppel (1894–1962)	January 11, 1943 – January 13, 1947 (did not run)	Republican	1944		Denious, Jess C.Jess C. Denious
30	Frank Carlson (1893–1987)	January 13, 1947 – November 28, 1950 (resigned)	Republican	1946		Hagaman, Frank L.Frank L. Hagaman
30	Frank Carlson (1893–1987)	January 13, 1947 – November 28, 1950 (resigned)	Republican	1948		Hagaman, Frank L.Frank L. Hagaman
31	Frank L. Hagaman (1894–1966)	November 28, 1950 – January 8, 1951 (successor took office)	Republican	Succeeded from lieutenant governor	Vacant
32	Edward F. Arn (1906–1998)	January 8, 1951 – January 10, 1955 (did not run)	Republican	1950		Hall, FredFred Hall
32	Edward F. Arn (1906–1998)	January 8, 1951 – January 10, 1955 (did not run)	Republican	1952		Hall, FredFred Hall
33	Fred Hall (1916–1970)	January 10, 1955 – January 3, 1957 (resigned)	Republican	1954		McCuish, JohnJohn McCuish
34	John McCuish (1906–1962)	January 3, 1957 – January 14, 1957 (successor took office)	Republican	Succeeded from lieutenant governor	Vacant
35	George Docking (1904–1964)	January 14, 1957 – January 9, 1961 (lost election)	Democratic	1956		Henkle Sr., Joseph W.Joseph W. Henkle Sr.
35	George Docking (1904–1964)	January 14, 1957 – January 9, 1961 (lost election)	Democratic	1958		Henkle Sr., Joseph W.Joseph W. Henkle Sr.
36	John Anderson Jr. (1917–2014)	January 9, 1961 – January 11, 1965 (did not run)	Republican	1960		Chase, Harold H.Harold H. Chase
36	John Anderson Jr. (1917–2014)	January 9, 1961 – January 11, 1965 (did not run)	Republican	1962		Chase, Harold H.Harold H. Chase
37	William H. Avery (1911–2009)	January 11, 1965 – January 9, 1967 (lost election)	Republican	1964		Crutcher, JohnJohn Crutcher
38	Robert Docking (1925–1983)	January 9, 1967 – January 13, 1975 (term-limited)	Democratic	1966		Crutcher, JohnJohn Crutcher
				1968		DeCoursey Jr., James H.James H. DeCoursey Jr.
				1970		Shultz, ReynoldsReynolds Shultz
				1972		Owen, DaveDave Owen
39	Robert Frederick Bennett (1927–2000)	January 13, 1975 – January 8, 1979 (lost election)	Republican	1974		Smith, ShelbyShelby Smith
40	John W. Carlin (b. 1940)	January 8, 1979 – January 12, 1987 (term-limited)	Democratic	1978		Dugan, PaulPaul Dugan
40	John W. Carlin (b. 1940)	January 8, 1979 – January 12, 1987 (term-limited)	Democratic	1982		Docking, ThomasThomas Docking
41	Mike Hayden (b. 1944)	January 12, 1987 – January 14, 1991 (lost election)	Republican	1986		Walker, Jack D.Jack D. Walker
42	Joan Finney (1925–2001)	January 14, 1991 – January 9, 1995 (did not run)	Democratic	1990		Francisco, JimJim Francisco
43	Bill Graves (b. 1953)	January 9, 1995 – January 13, 2003 (term-limited)	Republican	1994		Frahm, SheilaSheila Frahm (resigned June 11, 1996)
					Vacant
						Sherrer, GaryGary Sherrer (appointed July 18, 1996)
				1998		Sherrer, GaryGary Sherrer (appointed July 18, 1996)
44	Kathleen Sebelius (b. 1948)	January 13, 2003 – April 28, 2009 (resigned)	Democratic	2002		Moore, John E.John E. Moore
44	Kathleen Sebelius (b. 1948)	January 13, 2003 – April 28, 2009 (resigned)	Democratic	2006		Parkinson, MarkMark Parkinson
45	Mark Parkinson (b. 1957)	April 28, 2009 – January 10, 2011 (did not run)	Democratic	Succeeded from lieutenant governor	Vacant
45	Mark Parkinson (b. 1957)	April 28, 2009 – January 10, 2011 (did not run)	Democratic	Succeeded from lieutenant governor		Findley, TroyTroy Findley (appointed May 15, 2009)
46	Sam Brownback (b. 1956)	January 10, 2011 – January 31, 2018 (resigned)	Republican	2010		Colyer, JeffJeff Colyer
46	Sam Brownback (b. 1956)	January 10, 2011 – January 31, 2018 (resigned)	Republican	2014		Colyer, JeffJeff Colyer
47	Jeff Colyer (b. 1960)	January 31, 2018 – January 14, 2019 (lost nomination)	Republican	Succeeded from lieutenant governor	Vacant
47	Jeff Colyer (b. 1960)	January 31, 2018 – January 14, 2019 (lost nomination)	Republican	Succeeded from lieutenant governor		Mann, TraceyTracey Mann (appointed February 14, 2018)
48	Laura Kelly (b. 1950)	January 14, 2019 – Incumbent	Democratic	2018		Rogers, LynnLynn Rogers (resigned January 2, 2021)
				2018		Toland, DavidDavid Toland (appointed January 2, 2021)
				2022		Toland, DavidDavid Toland (appointed January 2, 2021)

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List of governors of Kansas Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.