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Governor of Mississippi
Seal of Mississippi.svg
Gov. Tate Reeves Signs House Bill 1486 (cropped).jpg
Incumbent
Tate Reeves

since January 14, 2020
Style
Residence Mississippi Governor's Mansion
Term length Four years, renewable once
Formation Constitution of Mississippi
Succession Line of succession
Deputy Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi
Salary $122,160

The governor of Mississippi is like the chief executive officer for the state of Mississippi. They are the main leader of the state government and also the commander-in-chief of Mississippi's military forces, known as the Mississippi National Guard.

The governor's job is to make sure state laws are followed. They can also approve or reject new laws passed by the Mississippi Legislature. The governor can call the legislature together for special meetings. They also have the power to grant pardons (forgive someone for a crime) or delay punishments, except in cases of treason or impeachment.

To become governor, a person must be at least 30 years old. They must have been a United States citizen for 20 years. They also need to have lived in Mississippi for at least five years before they start their term.

The governor serves a four-year term. Since a vote in 2020, they are elected using a two-round system. This means if no candidate gets more than half the votes in the first election, the top two candidates have a second election. Before 2020, a different system was used. The governor can serve two terms in a row. If the governor's office becomes empty for any reason, the lieutenant governor takes over.

The current governor of Mississippi is Tate Reeves. He is a member of the Mississippi Republican Party and started his term on January 14, 2020.

History of Mississippi's Governors

The role of governor has changed over time in Mississippi.

Governors of Mississippi Territory

Before Mississippi became a state, it was a territory. The Mississippi Territory was created on April 7, 1798. It had four governors who were chosen by the president of the United States. One of these territorial governors, David Holmes, later became the first state governor.

Governors of Mississippi Territory
No. Governor Term in office Appointed by
1 Winthrop Sargent.jpg Winthrop Sargent
(1753–1820)
May 7, 1798

May 25, 1801
Adams, JohnJohn Adams
2 William C C Claiborne rectangleLAState.jpg William C. C. Claiborne
(d. 1817)
May 25, 1801

March 2, 1805
Jefferson, ThomasThomas Jefferson
3 Robert Williams (Mississippi Governor).jpg Robert Williams
(1770–1836)
March 2, 1805

March 7, 1809
Jefferson, ThomasThomas Jefferson
4 DavidHolmesMS.jpg David Holmes
(1769–1832)
March 7, 1809

October 7, 1817
Madison, JamesJames Madison

Governors of the State of Mississippi

Mississippi officially became a state on December 10, 1817. It later left the United States on January 9, 1861, and joined the Confederate States of America. After the American Civil War, Mississippi rejoined the Union on February 23, 1870.

The state's constitution, written in 1890, set the governor's term at four years. Before 1986, governors could not serve two terms in a row. A change in 1986 allowed them to be re-elected once. The office of lieutenant governor was created in 1817, removed for a time, and then brought back in 1868.

Here are some of the governors who have served Mississippi since it became a state:


Governors of the State of Mississippi
No. Governor Term in office Party Election Lt. Governor
1 DavidHolmesMS.jpg   David Holmes
(1769–1832)
October 7, 1817

January 5, 1820
Democratic-
Republican
1817   Stewart, DuncanDuncan Stewart
2 GeorgePoindexter.jpg George Poindexter
(1779–1853)
January 5, 1820

January 7, 1822
Democratic-
Republican
1819 Patton, JamesJames Patton
3 Walter Leake.jpg Walter Leake
(1762–1825)
January 7, 1822

November 17, 1825
(died in office)
Democratic-
Republican
1821 Dickson, David C.David C. Dickson
1823 Brandon, GerardGerard Brandon
4 Gerard Chittocque Brandon.jpg Gerard Brandon
(1788–1850)
November 17, 1825

January 7, 1826
Democratic-
Republican
Lieutenant
governor
acting
Acting as governor
5 DavidHolmesMS.jpg David Holmes
(1769–1832)
January 7, 1826

July 25, 1826
(resigned)
Democratic-
Republican
1825 Brandon, GerardGerard Brandon
6 Gerard Chittocque Brandon.jpg Gerard Brandon
(1788–1850)
July 25, 1826

January 9, 1832
Democratic-
Republican
Lieutenant
governor
acting
Acting as governor
1827 Scott, Abram M.Abram M. Scott
1829
7 Abram M. Scott (Mississippi Governor).jpg Abram M. Scott
(1785–1833)
January 9, 1832

June 12, 1833
(died in office)
National
Republican
1831 Winston, FountainFountain Winston
(office abolished
October 26, 1832)
Office did not exist
8 Charles Lynch.png Charles Lynch
(1783–1853)
June 12, 1833

November 21, 1833
Whig President of
the Senate
acting
9 Hiram G. Runnels (Mississippi Governor).jpg Hiram Runnels
(1796–1857)
November 21, 1833

November 21, 1835
Democratic 1833
10 John A Quitman.jpg John A. Quitman
(1798–1858)
December 3, 1835

January 7, 1836
Democratic President of
the Senate
acting
11 Charles Lynch.png Charles Lynch
(1783–1853)
January 7, 1836

January 8, 1838
Whig 1835
12 Alexander G. McNutt.jpg Alexander G. McNutt
(1802–1848)
January 8, 1838

January 9, 1842
Democratic 1837
1839
13 Tilghman M. Tucker (Mississippi Governor).jpg Tilghman Tucker
(1802–1859)
January 10, 1842

January 10, 1844
Democratic 1841
14 Hon. Brown - NARA - 528693 (cropped).jpg Albert G. Brown
(1813–1880)
January 10, 1844

January 10, 1848
Democratic 1843
1845
15 Govmathews.jpg Joseph W. Matthews
(1812–1862)
January 10, 1848

January 10, 1850
Democratic 1847
16 John A Quitman.jpg John A. Quitman
(1798–1858)
January 10, 1850

February 3, 1851
(resigned)
Democratic 1849
17 John Isaac Guion (Mississippi Governor).jpg John Isaac Guion
(1802–1855)
February 3, 1851

November 4, 1851
Democratic President of
the Senate
acting
18 James whitfield Gov.jpg James Whitfield
(1791–1875)
November 25, 1851

January 10, 1852
Democratic President of
the Senate
acting
19 HSFoote.jpg Henry S. Foote
(1804–1880)
January 10, 1852

January 5, 1854
(resigned)
Union
Democratic
1851
20 John J. Pettus.jpg John J. Pettus
(1813–1867)
January 5, 1854

January 10, 1854
Democratic President of
the Senate
acting
21 John J. McRae portrait. (cropped) (cropped).jpg John J. McRae
(1815–1868)
January 10, 1854

November 16, 1857
Democratic 1853
1855
22 William McWillie.jpg William McWillie
(1795–1869)
November 16, 1857

November 21, 1859
Democratic 1857
23 John J. Pettus.jpg John J. Pettus
(1813–1867)
November 21, 1859

November 16, 1863
Democratic 1859
1861
24 Charles Clark.jpg Charles Clark
(1811–1877)
November 16, 1863

May 22, 1865
(arrested and removed)
Democratic 1863
25 William L. Sharkey portrait..jpg William L. Sharkey
(1798–1873)
June 13, 1865

October 16, 1865
Provisional governor
appointed by President
26 BGHumphreys.jpg Benjamin G. Humphreys
(1808–1882)
October 16, 1865

June 15, 1868
(removed)
Non-partisan 1865
27 A. Ames LOC cwpb.04867 (cropped).jpg Adelbert Ames
(1835–1933)
June 15, 1868

March 10, 1870
Provisional governor
appointed by military occupation
28 Gen. James Lusk Alcorn, C.S.A - NARA - 529033 (cropped).jpg James L. Alcorn
(1816–1894)
March 10, 1870

November 30, 1871
(resigned)
Republican 1869 Powers, Ridgley C.Ridgley C. Powers
29 Ridgley Ceylon Powers.jpg Ridgley C. Powers
(1836–1912)
November 30, 1871

January 22, 1874
Republican Lieutenant
governor
acting
Acting as governor
30 Gen. Adelbert Ames - NARA - 527085.jpg Adelbert Ames
(1835–1933)
January 22, 1874

March 29, 1876
(resigned)
Republican 1873 Davis, Alexander KelsoAlexander Kelso Davis
(impeached and removed)
Vacant
31 John M. Stone (Mississippi Governor).jpg John Marshall Stone
(1830–1900)
March 29, 1876

January 9, 1882
Democratic President of
the Senate
acting
1877 Sims, William H.William H. Sims
32 Governor Robert Lowry, Jan. 29, 1882 to Jan. 13, 1890 (14099807806).jpg Robert Lowry
(1829–1910)
January 9, 1882

January 13, 1890
Democratic 1881 Shands, G. D.G. D. Shands
1885
33 John M. Stone (Mississippi Governor).jpg John Marshall Stone
(1830–1900)
January 13, 1890

January 21, 1896
Democratic 1889 Evans, M. M.M. M. Evans
34 AnselmJMcLaurin.jpg Anselm J. McLaurin
(1848–1909)
January 21, 1896

January 16, 1900
Democratic 1895 Jones, J. H.J. H. Jones
35 Andrew Longino.jpg Andrew H. Longino
(1854–1942)
January 16, 1900

January 19, 1904
Democratic 1899 Harrison, James T.James T. Harrison
36 James Kimble Vardaman.jpg James K. Vardaman
(1861–1930)
January 19, 1904

January 21, 1908
Democratic 1903 Carter, John PrentissJohn Prentiss Carter
37 Edmond Noel.jpg Edmond Noel
(1856–1927)
January 21, 1908

January 16, 1912
Democratic 1907 Manship, LutherLuther Manship
38 Earl Leroy Brewer.jpg Earl L. Brewer
(1869–1942)
January 16, 1912

January 18, 1916
Democratic 1911 Bilbo, Theodore G.Theodore G. Bilbo
39 Theodore Bilbo.jpg Theodore G. Bilbo
(1877–1947)
January 18, 1916

January 18, 1920
Democratic 1915 Russell, Lee M.Lee M. Russell
40 Lee M. Russell.jpg Lee M. Russell
(1875–1943)
January 20, 1920

January 22, 1924
Democratic 1919 Casteel, HomerHomer Casteel
41 HL whitfield Gov.jpg Henry L. Whitfield
(1868–1927)
January 22, 1924

March 18, 1927
(died in office)
Democratic 1923 Murphree, DennisDennis Murphree
42 Dennis Herron Murphree in 1927.jpg Dennis Murphree
(1886–1949)
March 18, 1927

January 17, 1928
Democratic Lieutenant
governor
acting
Acting as governor
43 Theodore Bilbo.jpg Theodore G. Bilbo
(1877–1947)
January 17, 1928

January 19, 1932
Democratic 1927 Adam, BidwellBidwell Adam
44 Governor Martin S. Conner, Jan. 19, 1932 to Jan. 21, 1936 (14123298914).jpg Martin Sennet Conner
(1891–1950)
January 19, 1932

January 21, 1936
Democratic 1931 Murphree, DennisDennis Murphree
45 Hugh L. White.jpg Hugh L. White
(1881–1965)
January 21, 1936

January 16, 1940
Democratic 1935 Snider, Jacob BuehlerJacob Buehler Snider
46 PBJohnson.jpg Paul B. Johnson Sr.
(1880–1943)
January 16, 1940

December 26, 1943
(died in office)
Democratic 1939 Murphree, DennisDennis Murphree
47 Dennis Herron Murphree in 1927.jpg Dennis Murphree
(1886–1949)
December 26, 1943

January 18, 1944
Democratic Lieutenant
governor
acting
Acting as governor
48 Governor Thomas L. Bailey, Jan. 18, 1944 to Nov. 2, 1946 (13936315729).jpg Thomas L. Bailey
(1888–1946)
January 18, 1944

November 2, 1946
(died in office)
Democratic 1943 Wright, Fielding L.Fielding L. Wright
49 Fielding L. Wright portrait.jpg Fielding L. Wright
(1895–1956)
November 2, 1946

January 22, 1952
Democratic Lieutenant
governor
acting
Acting as governor
50 1947 Lumpkin, SamSam Lumpkin
51 Hugh L. White.jpg Hugh L. White
(1881–1965)
January 22, 1952

January 17, 1956
Democratic 1951 Gartin, CarrollCarroll Gartin
52 Governor James P. Coleman, Jan. 17, 1956 to Jan. 19, 1960 (14143043313).jpg James P. Coleman
(1914–1991)
January 17, 1956

January 19, 1960
Democratic 1955
53 Former Gov. and Mrs. Ross Barnett at Paul Johnson's Inaugural Ball, Jan., '64..png Ross Barnett
(1898–1987)
January 19, 1960

January 21, 1964
Democratic 1959 Johnson Jr., Paul B.Paul B. Johnson Jr.
54 Paul B. Johnson Jr.jpg Paul B. Johnson Jr.
(1916–1985)
January 21, 1964

January 16, 1968
Democratic 1963 Gartin, CarrollCarroll Gartin
(died December 19, 1966)
Vacant
55 John Bell Williams photographic portrait.jpg John Bell Williams
(1918–1983)
January 16, 1968

January 18, 1972
Democratic 1967 Sullivan, Charles L.Charles L. Sullivan
56 Bill Waller official.jpg Bill Waller
(1926–2011)
January 18, 1972

January 20, 1976
Democratic 1971 Winter, William F.William F. Winter
57 Cliff Finch.jpg Cliff Finch
(1927–1986)
January 20, 1976

January 22, 1980
Democratic 1975 Gandy, EvelynEvelyn Gandy
58 Governor William F. Winter.png William F. Winter
(1923–2020)
January 22, 1980

January 10, 1984
Democratic 1979 Dye, BradBrad Dye
59 William Allain (1985) (cropped).png William Allain
(1928–2013)
January 10, 1984

January 12, 1988
Democratic 1983
60 Ray Mabus (MS).png Ray Mabus
(b. 1948)
January 12, 1988

January 14, 1992
Democratic 1987
61 KirkFordice (cropped).jpg Kirk Fordice
(1934–2004)
January 14, 1992

January 11, 2000
Republican 1991 Briggs, EddieEddie Briggs
1995 Musgrove, RonnieRonnie Musgrove
62 David Ronald Musgrove.jpg Ronnie Musgrove
(b. 1956)
January 11, 2000

January 13, 2004
Democratic 1999 Tuck, AmyAmy Tuck
63 Haley Barbour (5449690313) (cropped).jpg Haley Barbour
(b. 1947)
January 13, 2004

January 10, 2012
Republican 2003
2007 Bryant, PhilPhil Bryant
64 Secretary Perry with Govt Phil Bryant KSS2455 (32743097363) (crop).jpg Phil Bryant
(b. 1954)
January 10, 2012

January 14, 2020
Republican 2011 Reeves, TateTate Reeves
2015
65 Gov. Tate Reeves Signs House Bill 1486 (cropped).jpg Tate Reeves
(b. 1974)
January 14, 2020

Incumbent
Republican 2019 Hosemann, DelbertDelbert Hosemann
2023

See also

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