kids encyclopedia robot

List of governors of Mississippi facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Governor of Mississippi
Seal of Mississippi.svg
Tate Reeves 2019 (cropped).jpg
Incumbent
Tate Reeves

since January 14, 2020
Style
Residence Mississippi Governor's Mansion
Term length Four years, renewable once
Inaugural holder David Holmes
Formation Constitution of Mississippi
Succession Every four years, unless reelected
Deputy Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi
Salary $122,160

The governor of Mississippi is the head of state and head of government of Mississippi 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 Mississippi Legislature, to convene the legislature at any time, and, except in cases of treason or impeachment, to grant pardons and reprieves.

To be elected governor, a person must be at least 30 years old, and must have been a citizen of the United States for twenty years and a resident of Mississippi for at least five years at the time of inauguration. The Constitution of Mississippi, ratified in 1890, calls for a four-year term for the governor, elected via the two-round system since a 2020 referendum. Prior to this, the governor was elected by an electoral college composed of the districts represented in the Mississippi House of Representatives, with a contingent election held in the House in the event no candidate received a majority of district electors. The governor may be reelected once (prior to a 1987 amendment to the state Constitution, governors were limited to one term). The original Constitution of 1817 had only a two-year term for governor; this was expanded to four years in the 1868 Constitution. The lieutenant governor is elected at the same time as the governor and serves as president of the Mississippi Senate. When the office of governor becomes vacant for any reason, the lieutenant governor becomes governor for the remainder of the term.

The governor of Mississippi also appoints the members of the Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees.

Qualifications

Anyone who seeks to be elected Governor of Mississippi must meet the following qualifications:

  • Be at least 30 years old
  • Be a citizen of the United States for 20 years
  • Be a resident of the state five years

History

Since Mississippi became a U.S. state, it has had 54 governors serving 64 distinct terms, including 50 Democrats, 7 Republicans and 7 from other parties. Democrats dominated after retaking control of the state legislature; they passed a Constitution in 1890 that disenfranchised most African Americans, excluding them from the political system for nearly 70 years, effectively making it a one-party state. The state's longest-serving governor was John M. Stone, who served two terms over ten years (his second term was extended to six years by a transitional provision in the 1890 Constitution). The shortest-serving governor was James Whitfield, who served 1+12 months from 1851 to 1852. 10 governors (David Holmes, Gerard Brandon, Charles Lynch, John A. Quitman, John J. Pettus, Adelbert Ames, John Marshall Stone, Theodore G. Bilbo, Dennis Murphree, and Hugh L. White) have served non-consecutive terms. The current governor is Republican Tate Reeves, who took office January 14, 2020.

Governors of the Territory of Mississippi (1798–1817)

      Democratic-Republican       Federalist

No. Governor Term in office Party
1 Winthrop Sargent.jpg   Winthrop Sargent
May 1, 1753 – June 3, 1820
(aged 67)
May 7, 1798

May 25, 1801
Federalist
2 William C C Claiborne rectangleLAState.jpg   William C. C. Claiborne
1773 or 1775 – December 18, 1817
(aged 42 or 44)
May 25, 1801

March 1, 1805
Democratic-Republican
3 Robert Williams (Mississippi Governor).jpg   Robert Williams
1770 – January 25, 1836
(aged 65 or 66)
March 1, 1805

March 7, 1809
Democratic-Republican
4 DavidHolmesMS.jpg   David Holmes
March 10, 1769 – August 20, 1832
(aged 63)
March 7, 1809

December 10, 1817
Democratic-Republican

Governors of the U.S. state of Mississippi

      No party/Provisional       Democratic-Republican       Democratic       Republican       Union Democratic       Whig

No. Governor Term in office Party Election Lt. Governor Notes
1 DavidHolmesMS.jpg   David Holmes
March 10, 1769 – August 20, 1832
(aged 63)
December 10, 1817

January 5, 1820
Democratic-Republican 1817   Duncan Stewart
2 GeorgePoindexter.jpg   George Poindexter
April 19, 1779 – September 5, 1853
(aged 74)
January 5, 1820

January 7, 1822
Democratic-Republican 1819   James Patton
3 Walter Leake.jpg   Walter Leake
May 20, 1762 – November 6, 1825
(aged 63)
January 7, 1822

November 17, 1825
Democratic-Republican 1821   David Dickson
1823   Gerard Brandon
4 Gerard Chittocque Brandon.jpg   Gerard Brandon
September 15, 1788 – March 28, 1850
(aged 61)
November 17, 1825

January 7, 1826
Democratic Succeeded from
Lieutenant
Governor
5 DavidHolmesMS.jpg   David Holmes
March 10, 1769 – August 20, 1832
(aged 63)
January 7, 1826

July 25, 1826
Democratic 1825   Gerard Brandon
6 Gerard Chittocque Brandon.jpg   Gerard Brandon
September 15, 1788 – March 28, 1850
(aged 61)
July 25, 1826

January 9, 1832
Democratic Succeeded from
Lieutenant
Governor
1827   Abram M. Scott
1829
7 Abram M. Scott (Mississippi Governor).jpg   Abram M. Scott
March 13, 1785 – June 12, 1833
(aged 48)
January 9, 1832

July 12, 1833
National Republican 1831 Fountain Winston
8 Charles Lynch - Gouverneur von Mississippi.jpg   Charles Lynch
August 8, 1783 – February 9, 1853
(aged 69)
July 12, 1833

November 20, 1833
National Republican
9 Hiram G. Runnels (Mississippi Governor).jpg   Hiram Runnels
December 15, 1796 – December 17, 1857
(aged 61)
November 20, 1833

November 20, 1835
Democratic 1833
10 John A Quitman.jpg   John A. Quitman
September 1, 1798 – July 17, 1858
(aged 59)
December 3, 1835

January 7, 1836
Whig
11 Charles Lynch - Gouverneur von Mississippi.jpg   Charles Lynch
August 8, 1783 – February 9, 1853
(aged 69)
January 7, 1836

January 8, 1838
Whig 1835
12 Alexander G. McNutt.jpg   Alexander G. McNutt
January 3, 1802 – October 22, 1848
(aged 46)
January 8, 1838

January 10, 1842
Democratic 1837
1839
13 Tilghman M. Tucker (Mississippi Governor).jpg   Tilghman Tucker
February 5, 1802 – April 3, 1859
(aged 57)
January 10, 1842

January 10, 1844
Democratic 1841
14 Hon. Brown - NARA - 528693.jpg   Albert G. Brown
May 31, 1813 – June 12, 1880
(aged 67)
January 10, 1844

January 10, 1848
Democratic 1843
1845
15 Govmathews.jpg   Joseph W. Matthews
1812 – August 27, 1862
(aged 49 or 50)
January 10, 1848

January 10, 1850
Democratic 1847
16 John A Quitman.jpg   John A. Quitman
September 1, 1798 – July 17, 1858
(aged 59)
January 10, 1850

February 3, 1851
Democratic 1849
17 John Isaac Guion (Mississippi Governor).jpg   John Isaac Guion
November 18, 1802 – June 6, 1855
(aged 52)
February 3, 1851

November 4, 1851
Democratic
18 James whitfield Gov.jpg   James Whitfield
December 15, 1791 – June 25, 1875
(aged 83)
November 24, 1851

January 10, 1852
Democratic
19 HSFoote.jpg   Henry S. Foote
February 28, 1804 – May 19, 1880
(aged 76)
January 10, 1852

January 5, 1854
Union Democratic 1851
20 John J. Pettus.jpg   John J. Pettus
October 9, 1813 – January 25, 1867
(aged 53)
January 5, 1854

January 10, 1854
Democratic
21 John J. McRae portrait..jpg   John J. McRae
January 10, 1815 – May 31, 1868
(aged 53)
January 10, 1854

November 16, 1857
Democratic 1853
1855
22 William McWillie.jpg   William McWillie
November 17, 1795 – March 3, 1869
(aged 73)
November 16, 1857

November 21, 1859
Democratic 1857
23 John J. Pettus.jpg   John J. Pettus
October 9, 1813 – January 25, 1867
(aged 53)
November 21, 1859

November 16, 1863
Democratic 1859
1861
24 Charles Clark.jpg   Charles Clark
May 24, 1811 – December 18, 1877
(aged 66)
November 16, 1863

May 22, 1865
Democratic 1863
25 William L. Sharkey portrait..jpg   William L. Sharkey
July 12, 1798 – March 30, 1873
(aged 74)
June 13, 1865

October 16, 1865
Provisional
26 BGHumphreys.jpg   Benjamin G. Humphreys
August 26, 1808 – December 20, 1882
(aged 74)
October 16, 1865

June 15, 1868
Democratic 1865
27 Gen. Adelbert Ames - NARA - 527085.jpg   Adelbert Ames
October 31, 1835 – April 13, 1933
(aged 97)
June 15, 1868

March 10, 1870
Military
28 JLAlcorn.jpg   James L. Alcorn
November 4, 1816 – December 19, 1894
(aged 78)
March 10, 1870

November 30, 1871
Republican 1869   Ridgley C. Powers
29 Ridgley Ceylon Powers.jpg   Ridgley C. Powers
December 24, 1836 – November 11, 1912
(aged 75)
November 30, 1871

January 4, 1874
Republican Succeeded from
Lieutenant
Governor
  Alexander K. Davis
30 Gen. Adelbert Ames - NARA - 527085.jpg   Adelbert Ames
October 31, 1835 – April 13, 1933
(aged 97)
January 4, 1874

March 29, 1876
Republican 1873
31 John M. Stone (Mississippi Governor).jpg   John Marshall Stone
April 30, 1830 – March 26, 1900
(aged 69)
March 29, 1876

January 29, 1882
Democratic
1877   William H. Sims
32 Governor Robert Lowry, Jan. 29, 1882 to Jan. 13, 1890 (14099807806).jpg   Robert Lowry
March 10, 1829 – January 19, 1910
(aged 80)
January 2, 1882

January 13, 1890
Democratic 1881   G. D. Shands
1885
33 John M. Stone (Mississippi Governor).jpg   John Marshall Stone
April 30, 1830 – March 26, 1900
(aged 69)
January 13, 1890

January 20, 1896
Democratic 1889   M. M. Evans
34 AnselmJMcLaurin.jpg   Anselm J. McLaurin
March 26, 1848 – December 22, 1909
(aged 61)
January 20, 1896

January 16, 1900
Democratic 1895   J. H. Jones
35 Andrew Longino.jpg   Andrew H. Longino
May 16, 1854 – February 24, 1942
(aged 87)
January 16, 1900

January 19, 1904
Democratic 1899   James T. Harrison
36 James Kimble Vardaman.jpg   James K. Vardaman
July 26, 1861 – June 25, 1930
(aged 68)
January 19, 1904

January 21, 1908
Democratic 1903   John Prentiss Carter
37 Edmond Noel.jpg   Edmond Noel
March 4, 1856 – July 30, 1927
(aged 71)
January 21, 1908

January 16, 1912
Democratic 1907   Luther Manship
38 Earl Leroy Brewer.jpg   Earl L. Brewer
August 11, 1869 – March 10, 1942
(aged 72)
January 16, 1912

January 18, 1916
Democratic 1911   Theodore G. Bilbo
39 Theodore Bilbo.jpg   Theodore G. Bilbo
October 13, 1877 – August 21, 1947
(aged 69)
January 18, 1916

January 18, 1920
Democratic 1915   Lee M. Russell
40 Lee M. Russell.jpg   Lee M. Russell
November 16, 1875 – May 16, 1943
(aged 67)
January 18, 1920

January 18, 1924
Democratic 1919   Homer H. Casteel
41 HL whitfield Gov.jpg   Henry L. Whitfield
June 20, 1868 – March 18, 1927
(aged 58)
January 22, 1924

March 18, 1927
Democratic 1923   Dennis Murphree
42 Dennis Herron Murphree in 1927.jpg   Dennis Murphree
January 6, 1886 – February 9, 1949
(aged 63)
March 18, 1927

January 16, 1928
Democratic Succeeded from
Lieutenant
Governor
43 Theodore Bilbo.jpg   Theodore G. Bilbo
October 13, 1877 – August 21, 1947
(aged 69)
January 16, 1928

January 19, 1932
Democratic 1927   Cayton B. Adam
44 Governor Martin S. Conner, Jan. 19, 1932 to Jan. 21, 1936 (14123298914).jpg   Martin Sennet Conner
August 31, 1891 – September 16, 1950
(aged 59)
January 19, 1932

January 21, 1936
Democratic 1931   Dennis Murphree
45 Hugh L. White.jpg   Hugh L. White
August 19, 1881 – September 20, 1965
(aged 84)
January 21, 1936

January 16, 1940
Democratic 1935   Jacob Buehler Snider
46 PBJohnson.jpg   Paul B. Johnson Sr.
March 23, 1880 – December 26, 1943
(aged 63)
January 16, 1940

December 26, 1943
Democratic 1939   Dennis Murphree
47 Dennis Herron Murphree in 1927.jpg   Dennis Murphree
January 6, 1886 – February 9, 1949
(aged 63)
December 26, 1943

January 18, 1944
Democratic Succeeded from
Lieutenant
Governor
48 Governor Thomas L. Bailey, Jan. 18, 1944 to Nov. 2, 1946 (13936315729).jpg   Thomas L. Bailey
January 6, 1888 – November 2, 1946
(aged 58)
January 18, 1944

November 2, 1946
Democratic 1943   Fielding L. Wright
49/50 Fielding L. Wright portrait.jpg   Fielding L. Wright
May 16, 1895 – May 4, 1956
(aged 60)
November 2, 1946

January 22, 1952
Democratic Succeeded from
Lieutenant
Governor
 
1947 Sam Lumpkin
51 Hugh L. White.jpg   Hugh L. White
August 19, 1881 – September 20, 1965
(aged 84)
January 22, 1952

January 17, 1956
Democratic 1951   Carroll Gartin
52 Governor James P. Coleman, Jan. 17, 1956 to Jan. 19, 1960 (14143043313).jpg   James P. Coleman
January 9, 1914 – September 28, 1991
(aged 77)
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
January 22, 1898 – November 6, 1987
(aged 89)
January 19, 1960

January 21, 1964
Democratic 1959   Paul B. Johnson, Jr.
54 Paul B. Johnson Jr.jpg   Paul B. Johnson Jr.
January 23, 1916 – October 14, 1985
(aged 69)
January 21, 1964

January 16, 1968
Democratic 1963   Carroll Gartin
55 Governor John Bell Williams, Jan. 16, 1968 to Jan. 18, 1972 (14122979895).jpg   John Bell Williams
December 4, 1918 – March 25, 1983
(aged 64)
January 16, 1968

January 18, 1972
Democratic 1967   Charles L. Sullivan
56 Bill Waller official.jpg   Bill Waller
October 21, 1926 – November 30, 2011
(aged 85)
January 18, 1972

January 20, 1976
Democratic 1971   William F. Winter
57 Cliff Finch.jpg   Cliff Finch
April 4, 1927 – April 22, 1986
(aged 59)
January 20, 1976

January 22, 1980
Democratic 1975   Evelyn Gandy
58 Governor William F. Winter.png   William Winter
February 21, 1923 – December 18, 2020
(aged 97)
January 22, 1980

January 10, 1984
Democratic 1979   Brad Dye
59 William Allain (1985) (cropped).png   William Allain
February 14, 1928 – December 2, 2013
(aged 85)
January 10, 1984

January 12, 1988
Democratic 1983
60 Ray Mabus (MS).png   Ray Mabus
    (1948-10-11) October 11, 1948 (age 75)
January 12, 1988

January 14, 1992
Democratic 1987
61 Kirk Fordice at podium cropped.jpg   Kirk Fordice
February 10, 1934 – September 7, 2004
(aged 70)
January 14, 1992

January 11, 2000
Republican 1991   Eddie Briggs
1995   Ronnie Musgrove
62 David Ronald Musgrove.jpg   Ronnie Musgrove
    (1956-07-29) July 29, 1956 (age 67)
January 11, 2000

January 13, 2004
Democratic 1999   Amy Tuck
63 Haley Barbour (5449690313) (cropped).jpg   Haley Barbour
    (1947-10-22) October 22, 1947 (age 76)
January 13, 2004

January 10, 2012
Republican 2003  
2007   Phil Bryant
64 Secretary Perry with Govt Phil Bryant KSS2455 (32743097363) (cropped).jpg   Phil Bryant
    (1954-12-09) December 9, 1954 (age 69)
January 10, 2012

January 14, 2020
Republican 2011   Tate Reeves
2015
65 Tate Reeves 2019.jpg   Tate Reeves
    (1974-06-05) June 5, 1974 (age 49)
January 14, 2020

Incumbent
Republican 2019   Delbert Hosemann

Succession

Other high offices held

This is a table of congressional, confederate, other governorships, and other federal offices held by governors. All representatives and senators mentioned represented Mississippi except where noted. * denotes those offices which the governor resigned to take.

Governor Gubernatorial term U.S. Congress Other offices held
House Senate
William C. C. Claiborne 1801–1805 (territorial) U.S. Representative from Tennessee, U.S. Senator from Louisiana, Governor of Orleans Territory, Governor of Louisiana
Robert Williams 1805–1809 (territorial) U.S. Representative from North Carolina
David Holmes (politician) 1809–1820
1826
S U.S. Representative from Virginia
George Poindexter 1820–1822 H S Territorial Delegate, President pro tempore of the Senate
Walter Leake 1822–1825 S
John A. Quitman 1835–1836
1850–1851
H
Tilghman Tucker 1842–1844 H
Albert G. Brown 1844–1848 H S Confederate Senator
Henry S. Foote 1852–1854 S Confederate Representative from Tennessee
John J. McRae 1854–1857 H S Confederate Representative
William McWillie 1857–1859 H
Adelbert Ames 1868–1870
1874–1876
S
James L. Alcorn 1870–1871 S*
Anselm J. McLaurin 1896–1900 S
James K. Vardaman 1904–1908 S
Theodore G. Bilbo 1916–1920
1928–1932
S
Paul B. Johnson, Sr. 1940–1943 H
James P. Coleman 1956–1960 Fifth Circuit Court Judge
John Bell Williams 1968–1972 H
Ray Mabus 1988–1992 Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, United States Secretary of the Navy

See also

  • Mississippi
  • List of lieutenant governors of Mississippi
kids search engine
List of governors of Mississippi Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.