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Governor of the State of Ohio
Flag of the Governor of Ohio.svg
Standard of the governor of Ohio
Seal of the Governor of Ohio.svg
Seal of the governor of Ohio
Gov-Mike-DeWine (cropped).jpg
Incumbent
Mike DeWine

since January 14, 2019
Government of Ohio
Style The Honorable
Residence Ohio Governor's Mansion
Term length Four years, renewable once consecutively
Inaugural holder Edward Tiffin
Formation March 3, 1803
Succession Line of succession
Deputy Lieutenant Governor of Ohio
Salary $168,106 (2022)

The governor of Ohio is like the main boss of the state of Ohio. They are the head of government, meaning they lead the state's executive branch. They are also the commander-in-chief of Ohio's military forces, like the Ohio National Guard.

The governor's job is to make sure state laws are followed. They can also approve or reject (this is called a veto) new laws passed by the Ohio General Assembly. They have the power to call the legislature together for special meetings. The governor can also grant pardons, which means forgiving someone for a crime, except in very serious cases like treason or impeachment.

Ohio has had 64 different governors. Some governors have served more than one term. The longest-serving governor was Jim Rhodes, who was elected four times. He served almost sixteen years in total. The shortest terms were held by John William Brown and Nancy Hollister. They each served for only 11 days. This happened when the previous governors resigned to take new jobs.

The current governor is Mike DeWine. He is a Republican and started his term on January 14, 2019. He was re-elected in 2022. A governor can only serve two terms in a row.

Becoming Governor: What It Takes

Vern Riffe 02
The governor's main office is in the Vern Riffe State Office Tower in downtown Columbus.

To become the governor of Ohio, you need to meet certain requirements. You must be a qualified voter in the state. This means you need to be at least 18 years old when the election happens. You also need to have lived in Ohio for at least 30 days before the election. And, of course, you must be a U.S. citizen.

People who have been convicted of serious crimes or are found unable to vote by a court cannot be governor. There's a rule that a governor can only serve two terms in a row.

Governor's Powers and Duties

The governor has many important jobs and powers. They are the leader of the state's military forces. They must make sure all state laws are carried out.

Here are some other things the governor does:

  • They make sure all laws are followed. They can ask for written reports from any state office.
  • They give a yearly speech to the General Assembly. In this speech, they suggest new laws.
  • They can call special meetings of the legislature for specific reasons.
  • If the two parts of the legislature can't agree on when to end their session, the governor can decide.
  • They keep and use "The Great Seal of the State of Ohio." This is an official stamp for state documents.
  • They sign and seal all official papers given out by the state of Ohio.
  • If the Lieutenant Governor's job becomes empty, the governor can suggest a new person. Both parts of the legislature must agree.
  • They can fill empty spots for other important state jobs. These include the Auditor, Treasurer, Secretary of State, and Attorney General.
  • They get reports from each state department at least once a year. They include these reports in their yearly speech to the legislature.
  • They make all other appointments that aren't already decided. The Senate must agree to these appointments. If the Senate doesn't act, the governor's choice still takes the job.

Who Takes Over? (Succession)

If the governor's job becomes empty, the lieutenant governor becomes governor. This can happen if the governor dies, resigns, or is removed from office. If the lieutenant governor's job is also empty, the president of the senate becomes the acting governor.

If both jobs become empty early in the term (within the first 20 months), a special election is held. This election chooses new leaders to finish the term. Before 1851, the speaker of the senate would act as governor. Since 1978, the governor and lieutenant governor are elected together. Before that, they could be from different political parties.

Ohio's Governors Through History

Northwest Territory Governors

Before Ohio became a state, it was part of the Northwest Territory. This territory was set up in 1787. Over time, other states and territories were created from it. Ohio became a state on March 1, 1803.

The Northwest Territory had only one governor appointed by the U.S. government: Arthur St. Clair. He was removed from office in 1802. No one else was named governor before Ohio became a state. The Secretary of the Territory, Charles Willing Byrd, acted as governor until Ohio officially joined the Union.

Governor of the Territory Northwest of the River Ohio
Governor Term in office Appointed by
ArthurStClairOfficialPortrait-restored.jpg Arthur St. Clair
(1737–1818)
October 5, 1787

November 22, 1802
(removed)
Congress, ContinentalContinental Congress
Washington, GeorgeGeorge Washington
Adams, JohnJohn Adams

Governors of the State of Ohio

Ohio became a state on March 1, 1803. Since then, it has had 64 governors. Some, like Allen Trimble and Jim Rhodes, served terms that were not in a row.

The first Ohio constitution (from 1803) said governors could serve two-year terms. They could serve up to six years out of any eight-year period. The current constitution (from 1851) removed this limit. It also changed the start of the term to January. In 1908, Ohio changed its election years from odd to even numbers. A change in 1957 made terms four years long. It also said governors could only serve two terms in a row. After two terms, they have to wait four years before running again.


Governors of the State of Ohio
No. Governor Term in office Party Election Lt. Governor
1 Edward Tiffin at statehouse.jpg   Edward Tiffin
(1766–1829)
March 3, 1803

March 4, 1807
(resigned)
Democratic-
Republican
1803 Office did not exist
1805
2 Thomas Kirker at statehouse.jpg Thomas Kirker
(1760–1837)
March 4, 1807

December 12, 1808
(lost election)
Democratic-
Republican
Speaker of
the Senate
acting
1807
3 Caroline L. Ransom - Samuel Huntington.jpg Samuel Huntington
(1765–1817)
December 12, 1808

December 8, 1810
(did not run)
Democratic-
Republican
1808
4 Return J. Meigs, Jr. at statehouse.jpg Return J. Meigs Jr.
(1764–1825)
December 8, 1810

March 25, 1814
(resigned)
Democratic-
Republican
1810
1812
5 Othniel Looker at statehouse.jpg Othniel Looker
(1757–1845)
March 25, 1814

December 8, 1814
(lost election)
Democratic-
Republican
Speaker of
the Senate
acting
6 Thomas Worthington at statehouse.jpg Thomas Worthington
(1773–1827)
December 8, 1814

December 14, 1818
(did not run)
Democratic-
Republican
1814
1816
7 Ethan Allen Brown at statehouse.jpg Ethan Allen Brown
(1776–1852)
December 14, 1818

January 4, 1822
(resigned)
Democratic-
Republican
1818
1820
8 Allen Trimble at statehouse.jpg Allen Trimble
(1783–1870)
January 4, 1822

December 28, 1822
(lost election)
Democratic-
Republican
Speaker of
the Senate
acting
9 Jeremiah Morrow at statehouse.jpg Jeremiah Morrow
(1771–1852)
December 28, 1822

December 19, 1826
(did not run)
Democratic-
Republican
1822
1824
10 Allen Trimble at statehouse.jpg Allen Trimble
(1783–1870)
December 19, 1826

December 18, 1830
(did not run)
National
Republican
1826
1828
11 Duncan McArthur at statehouse.jpg Duncan McArthur
(1772–1839)
December 18, 1830

December 7, 1832
(did not run)
National
Republican
1830
12 Robert Lucas at statehouse.jpg Robert Lucas
(1781–1853)
December 7, 1832

December 13, 1836
(did not run)
Democratic 1832
1834
13 Joseph Vance at statehouse.jpg Joseph Vance
(1786–1852)
December 13, 1836

December 13, 1838
(lost election)
Whig 1836
14 Wilson Shannon at statehouse.jpg Wilson Shannon
(1802–1877)
December 13, 1838

December 16, 1840
(lost election)
Democratic 1838
15 Thomas Corwin at statehouse.jpg Thomas Corwin
(1794–1865)
December 16, 1840

December 14, 1842
(lost election)
Whig 1840
16 Wilson Shannon at statehouse.jpg Wilson Shannon
(1802–1877)
December 14, 1842

April 15, 1844
(resigned)
Democratic 1842
17 Thomas W. Bartley at statehouse.jpg Thomas W. Bartley
(1812–1885)
April 15, 1844

December 3, 1844
(lost nomination)
Democratic Speaker of
the Senate
acting
18 Mordecai Bartley at statehouse.jpg Mordecai Bartley
(1783–1870)
December 3, 1844

December 12, 1846
(did not run)
Whig 1844
19 William Bebb at statehouse.jpg William Bebb
(1802–1873)
December 12, 1846

January 22, 1849
(did not run)
Whig 1846
20 Seabury Ford at statehouse.jpg Seabury Ford
(1801–1855)
January 22, 1849

December 12, 1850
(did not run)
Whig 1848
21 Reuben Wood at statehouse.jpg Reuben Wood
(d. 1864)
December 12, 1850

July 13, 1853
(resigned)
Democratic 1850
1851   Medill, WilliamWilliam Medill
22 William Medill at statehouse.jpg William Medill
(1802–1865)
July 13, 1853

January 14, 1856
(lost election)
Democratic Succeeded from
lieutenant
governor
Vacant
1853 Myers, JamesJames Myers
23 Salmon P. Chase at statehouse.jpg Salmon P. Chase
(1808–1873)
January 14, 1856

January 9, 1860
(did not run)
Republican 1855 Ford, Thomas H.Thomas H. Ford
1857 Welker, MartinMartin Welker
24 William Dennison, Jr. at statehouse.jpg William Dennison Jr.
(1815–1882)
January 9, 1860

January 13, 1862
(did not run)
Republican 1859 Kirk, Robert C.Robert C. Kirk
25 David Tod at statehouse.jpg David Tod
(1805–1868)
January 13, 1862

January 11, 1864
(lost nomination)
Union 1861 Stanton, BenjaminBenjamin Stanton
26 John Brough at statehouse.jpg John Brough
(1811–1865)
January 11, 1864

August 29, 1865
(died in office)
Union 1863 Anderson, CharlesCharles Anderson
27 Charles Anderson at statehouse.jpg Charles Anderson
(1814–1895)
August 29, 1865

January 8, 1866
(did not run)
Union Succeeded from
lieutenant
governor
Vacant
28 Jacob Dolson Cox at statehouse.jpg Jacob Dolson Cox
(1828–1900)
January 8, 1866

January 13, 1868
(did not run)
Republican 1865 McBurney, AndrewAndrew McBurney
29 Rutherford B. Hayes at statehouse.jpg Rutherford B. Hayes
(1822–1893)
January 13, 1868

January 8, 1872
(did not run)
Republican 1867 Lee, John C.John C. Lee
1869
30 Edward Follansbee Noyes at statehouse.jpg Edward Follansbee Noyes
(1832–1890)
January 8, 1872

January 12, 1874
(lost election)
Republican 1871 Mueller, JacobJacob Mueller
31 William Allen at statehouse.jpg William Allen
(1803–1879)
January 12, 1874

January 10, 1876
(lost election)
Democratic 1873 Hart, AlphonsoAlphonso Hart
32 Rutherford B. Hayes at statehouse.jpg Rutherford B. Hayes
(1822–1893)
January 10, 1876

March 2, 1877
(resigned)
Republican 1875 Young, Thomas L.Thomas L. Young
33 Thomas L. Young at statehouse.jpg Thomas L. Young
(1832–1888)
March 2, 1877

January 14, 1878
(did not run)
Republican Succeeded from
lieutenant
governor
Curtiss, H. W.H. W. Curtiss
(acting)
34 Richard M. Bishop at statehouse.jpg Richard M. Bishop
(1812–1893)
January 14, 1878

January 12, 1880
(lost nomination)
Democratic 1877 Fitch, Jabez W.Jabez W. Fitch
35 Charles Foster at statehouse.jpg Charles Foster
(1828–1904)
January 12, 1880

January 14, 1884
(did not run)
Republican 1879 Hickenlooper, AndrewAndrew Hickenlooper
1881 Richards, Rees G.Rees G. Richards
36 George Hoadly at statehouse.jpg George Hoadly
(1826–1902)
January 14, 1884

January 11, 1886
(lost election)
Democratic 1883 Warwick, John G.John G. Warwick
37 Joseph B. Foraker at statehouse.jpg Joseph B. Foraker
(1846–1917)
January 11, 1886

January 13, 1890
(lost election)
Republican 1885 Kennedy, Robert P.Robert P. Kennedy
(resigned March 3, 1887)
Conrad, Silas A.Silas A. Conrad
1887 Lyon, William C.William C. Lyon
38 James Edwin Campbell at statehouse.jpg James E. Campbell
(1843–1924)
January 13, 1890

January 11, 1892
(lost election)
Democratic 1889 Lampson, Elbert L.Elbert L. Lampson
(replaced January 31, 1890)
Marquis, William V.William V. Marquis
39 William McKinley at statehouse.jpg William McKinley
(1843–1901)
January 11, 1892

January 13, 1896
(did not run)
Republican 1891 Harris, Andrew L.Andrew L. Harris
1893
40 Asa S. Bushnell at statehouse.jpg Asa S. Bushnell
(1834–1904)
January 13, 1896

January 8, 1900
(did not run)
Republican 1895 Jones, Asa W.Asa W. Jones
1897
41 George K. Nash at statehouse.jpg George K. Nash
(1842–1904)
January 8, 1900

January 11, 1904
(did not run)
Republican 1899 Caldwell, John A.John A. Caldwell
1901 Nippert, Carl L.Carl L. Nippert
(resigned May 1, 1902)
Gordon, Harry L.Harry L. Gordon
42 Myron T. Herrick at statehouse.jpg Myron T. Herrick
(1854–1929)
January 11, 1904

January 8, 1906
(lost election)
Republican 1903 Harding, Warren G.Warren G. Harding
43 John M. Pattison at statehouse.jpg John M. Pattison
(1847–1906)
January 8, 1906

June 18, 1906
(died in office)
Democratic 1905 Harris, Andrew L.Andrew L. Harris
44 Andrew L. Harris at statehouse.jpg Andrew L. Harris
(1835–1915)
June 18, 1906

January 11, 1909
(lost election)
Republican Succeeded from
lieutenant
governor
Vacant
45 Judson Harmon at statehouse.jpg Judson Harmon
(1846–1927)
January 11, 1909

January 13, 1913
(did not run)
Democratic 1908 Treadway, Francis W.Francis W. Treadway
1910 Pomerene, AtleeAtlee Pomerene
(resigned March 4, 1911)
Nichols, Hugh L.Hugh L. Nichols
46 James M. Cox at statehouse.jpg James M. Cox
(1870–1957)
January 13, 1913

January 11, 1915
(lost election)
Democratic 1912 Greenlund, W. A.W. A. Greenlund
47 Frank B Willis 2.jpg Frank B. Willis
(1871–1928)
January 11, 1915

January 8, 1917
(lost election)
Republican 1914 Arnold, John H.John H. Arnold
48 James M. Cox at statehouse.jpg James M. Cox
(1870–1957)
January 8, 1917

January 10, 1921
(did not run)
Democratic 1916 Bloom, Earl D.Earl D. Bloom
1918 Brown, Clarence J.Clarence J. Brown
49 HarryLDavis (1).jpg Harry L. Davis
(1878–1950)
January 10, 1921

January 8, 1923
(did not run)
Republican 1920
50 Vic. Donahey LCCN2014717613.jpg A. Victor Donahey
(1873–1946)
January 8, 1923

January 14, 1929
(did not run)
Democratic 1922 Bloom, Earl D.Earl D. Bloom
1924 Lewis, Charles H.Charles H. Lewis
1926 Bloom, Earl D.Earl D. Bloom
(resigned April 1928)
Pickrel, William G.William G. Pickrel
(term ended November 1928)
Braden, George C.George C. Braden
51 Myers Y. Cooper.png Myers Y. Cooper
(1873–1958)
January 14, 1929

January 12, 1931
(lost election)
Republican 1928 Brown, John T.John T. Brown
52 George White (Ohio).png George White
(1872–1953)
January 12, 1931

January 14, 1935
(did not run)
Democratic 1930 Pickrel, William G.William G. Pickrel
1932 Sawyer, Charles W.Charles W. Sawyer
53 MartinDavey.jpg Martin L. Davey
(1884–1946)
January 14, 1935

January 9, 1939
(lost nomination)
Democratic 1934 Mosier, Harold G.Harold G. Mosier
1936 Yoder, Paul P.Paul P. Yoder
54 John William Bricker (Gov., Sen. OH).jpg John W. Bricker
(1893–1986)
January 9, 1939

January 8, 1945
(did not run)
Republican 1938 Herbert, Paul M.Paul M. Herbert
1940
1942
55 Frank Lausche 87th Congress 1961 (1).jpg Frank Lausche
(1895–1990)
January 8, 1945

January 13, 1947
(lost election)
Democratic 1944 Nye, George D.George D. Nye
56 Thomas J. Herbert (OH).jpg Thomas J. Herbert
(1894–1974)
January 13, 1947

January 10, 1949
(lost election)
Republican 1946 Herbert, Paul M.Paul M. Herbert
57 Frank Lausche 87th Congress 1961 (1).jpg Frank Lausche
(1895–1990)
January 10, 1949

January 3, 1957
(resigned)
Democratic 1948 Nye, George D.George D. Nye
1950
1952 Brown, John WilliamJohn William Brown
1954
58 John W. Brown (Ohio governor).jpg John William Brown
(1913–1993)
January 3, 1957

January 14, 1957
(successor took office)
Republican Succeeded from
lieutenant
governor
Vacant
59 C. William O'Neill (OH).png C. William O'Neill
(1916–1978)
January 14, 1957

January 12, 1959
(lost election)
Republican 1956 Herbert, Paul M.Paul M. Herbert
60 Governor DiSalle.png Michael DiSalle
(1908–1981)
January 12, 1959

January 14, 1963
(lost election)
Democratic 1958 Donahey, John W.John W. Donahey
61
Jim Rhodes in Bettsville, Ohio October 15, 1981.jpg
Jim Rhodes
(1909–2001)
January 14, 1963

January 11, 1971
(term-limited)
Republican 1962 Brown, John WilliamJohn William Brown
1966
62 John Gilligan (1973).png John J. Gilligan
(1921–2013)
January 11, 1971

January 13, 1975
(lost election)
Democratic 1970
63
Jim Rhodes in Bettsville, Ohio October 15, 1981.jpg
Jim Rhodes
(1909–2001)
January 13, 1975

January 10, 1983
(term-limited)
Republican 1974 Celeste, DickDick Celeste
1978 Voinovich, GeorgeGeorge Voinovich
(resigned November 1979)
Vacant
64 Richard Celeste (Ohio governor 1982).png Dick Celeste
(b. 1937)
January 10, 1983

January 14, 1991
(term-limited)
Democratic 1982 Shoemaker, MyrlMyrl Shoemaker
(died July 30, 1985)
Vacant
1986 Leonard, PaulPaul Leonard
65 George Voinovich official portrait.jpg George Voinovich
(1936–2016)
January 14, 1991

December 31, 1998
(resigned)
Republican 1990 DeWine, MikeMike DeWine
(resigned November 12, 1994)
Vacant
1994 Hollister, NancyNancy Hollister
66 Nancy Hollister (Ohio governor).jpg Nancy Hollister
(b. 1949)
December 31, 1998

January 11, 1999
(successor took office)
Republican Succeeded from
lieutenant
governor
Vacant
67 Robert Alphonso "Bob" Taft III portrait - DPLA - c9c8211b3a824d8a98f58a7424de143b (cropped).jpg Bob Taft
(b. 1942)
January 11, 1999

January 8, 2007
(term-limited)
Republican 1998 O'Connor, MaureenMaureen O'Connor
(resigned December 31, 2002)
Vacant
2002 Bradley, JennetteJennette Bradley
(resigned January 5, 2005)
Johnson, BruceBruce Johnson
(resigned December 8, 2006)
Vacant
68 Tedstrickland (cropped).JPG Ted Strickland
(b. 1941)
January 8, 2007

January 10, 2011
(lost election)
Democratic 2006 Fisher, LeeLee Fisher
69 Governor John Kasich.jpg John Kasich
(b. 1952)
January 10, 2011

January 14, 2019
(term-limited)
Republican 2010 Taylor, MaryMary Taylor
2014
70 Gov-Mike-DeWine (cropped).jpg Mike DeWine
(b. 1947)
January 14, 2019

Incumbent
Republican 2018 Husted, JonJon Husted
(resigned January 21, 2025)
2022
Vacant
Tressel, JimJim Tressel
(appointed February 14, 2025)

Timeline of Ohio Governors

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