List of governors of Ohio facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Governor of the State of Ohio
Standard of the governor of Ohio
Seal of the governor of Ohio
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

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
	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 (1766–1829)	March 3, 1803 – March 4, 1807 (resigned)	Democratic- Republican	1803	Office did not exist
						1805
2			Thomas Kirker (1760–1837)	March 4, 1807 – December 12, 1808 (lost election)	Democratic- Republican	Speaker of the Senate acting
						1807
3			Samuel Huntington (1765–1817)	December 12, 1808 – December 8, 1810 (did not run)	Democratic- Republican	1808
4			Return J. Meigs Jr. (1764–1825)	December 8, 1810 – March 25, 1814 (resigned)	Democratic- Republican	1810
						1812
5			Othniel Looker (1757–1845)	March 25, 1814 – December 8, 1814 (lost election)	Democratic- Republican	Speaker of the Senate acting
6			Thomas Worthington (1773–1827)	December 8, 1814 – December 14, 1818 (did not run)	Democratic- Republican	1814
						1816
7			Ethan Allen Brown (1776–1852)	December 14, 1818 – January 4, 1822 (resigned)	Democratic- Republican	1818
						1820
8			Allen Trimble (1783–1870)	January 4, 1822 – December 28, 1822 (lost election)	Democratic- Republican	Speaker of the Senate acting
9			Jeremiah Morrow (1771–1852)	December 28, 1822 – December 19, 1826 (did not run)	Democratic- Republican	1822
						1824
10			Allen Trimble (1783–1870)	December 19, 1826 – December 18, 1830 (did not run)	National Republican	1826
						1828
11			Duncan McArthur (1772–1839)	December 18, 1830 – December 7, 1832 (did not run)	National Republican	1830
12			Robert Lucas (1781–1853)	December 7, 1832 – December 13, 1836 (did not run)	Democratic	1832
						1834
13			Joseph Vance (1786–1852)	December 13, 1836 – December 13, 1838 (lost election)	Whig	1836
14			Wilson Shannon (1802–1877)	December 13, 1838 – December 16, 1840 (lost election)	Democratic	1838
15			Thomas Corwin (1794–1865)	December 16, 1840 – December 14, 1842 (lost election)	Whig	1840
16			Wilson Shannon (1802–1877)	December 14, 1842 – April 15, 1844 (resigned)	Democratic	1842
17			Thomas W. Bartley (1812–1885)	April 15, 1844 – December 3, 1844 (lost nomination)	Democratic	Speaker of the Senate acting
18			Mordecai Bartley (1783–1870)	December 3, 1844 – December 12, 1846 (did not run)	Whig	1844
19			William Bebb (1802–1873)	December 12, 1846 – January 22, 1849 (did not run)	Whig	1846
20			Seabury Ford (1801–1855)	January 22, 1849 – December 12, 1850 (did not run)	Whig	1848
21			Reuben Wood (d. 1864)	December 12, 1850 – July 13, 1853 (resigned)	Democratic	1850
						1851		Medill, WilliamWilliam Medill
22			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 (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. (1815–1882)	January 9, 1860 – January 13, 1862 (did not run)	Republican	1859		Kirk, Robert C.Robert C. Kirk
25			David Tod (1805–1868)	January 13, 1862 – January 11, 1864 (lost nomination)	Union	1861		Stanton, BenjaminBenjamin Stanton
26			John Brough (1811–1865)	January 11, 1864 – August 29, 1865 (died in office)	Union	1863		Anderson, CharlesCharles Anderson
27			Charles Anderson (1814–1895)	August 29, 1865 – January 8, 1866 (did not run)	Union	Succeeded from lieutenant governor	Vacant
28			Jacob Dolson Cox (1828–1900)	January 8, 1866 – January 13, 1868 (did not run)	Republican	1865		McBurney, AndrewAndrew McBurney
29			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 (1832–1890)	January 8, 1872 – January 12, 1874 (lost election)	Republican	1871		Mueller, JacobJacob Mueller
31			William Allen (1803–1879)	January 12, 1874 – January 10, 1876 (lost election)	Democratic	1873		Hart, AlphonsoAlphonso Hart
32			Rutherford B. Hayes (1822–1893)	January 10, 1876 – March 2, 1877 (resigned)	Republican	1875		Young, Thomas L.Thomas L. Young
33			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 (1812–1893)	January 14, 1878 – January 12, 1880 (lost nomination)	Democratic	1877		Fitch, Jabez W.Jabez W. Fitch
35			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 (1826–1902)	January 14, 1884 – January 11, 1886 (lost election)	Democratic	1883		Warwick, John G.John G. Warwick
37			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 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 (1843–1901)	January 11, 1892 – January 13, 1896 (did not run)	Republican	1891		Harris, Andrew L.Andrew L. Harris
						1893
40			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 (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 (1854–1929)	January 11, 1904 – January 8, 1906 (lost election)	Republican	1903		Harding, Warren G.Warren G. Harding
43			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 (1835–1915)	June 18, 1906 – January 11, 1909 (lost election)	Republican	Succeeded from lieutenant governor	Vacant
45			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 (1870–1957)	January 13, 1913 – January 11, 1915 (lost election)	Democratic	1912		Greenlund, W. A.W. A. Greenlund
47			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 (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			Harry L. Davis (1878–1950)	January 10, 1921 – January 8, 1923 (did not run)	Republican	1920
50			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 (1873–1958)	January 14, 1929 – January 12, 1931 (lost election)	Republican	1928		Brown, John T.John T. Brown
52			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			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 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 (1895–1990)	January 8, 1945 – January 13, 1947 (lost election)	Democratic	1944		Nye, George D.George D. Nye
56			Thomas J. Herbert (1894–1974)	January 13, 1947 – January 10, 1949 (lost election)	Republican	1946		Herbert, Paul M.Paul M. Herbert
57			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 William Brown (1913–1993)	January 3, 1957 – January 14, 1957 (successor took office)	Republican	Succeeded from lieutenant governor	Vacant
59			C. William O'Neill (1916–1978)	January 14, 1957 – January 12, 1959 (lost election)	Republican	1956		Herbert, Paul M.Paul M. Herbert
60			Michael DiSalle (1908–1981)	January 12, 1959 – January 14, 1963 (lost election)	Democratic	1958		Donahey, John W.John W. Donahey
61			Jim Rhodes (1909–2001)	January 14, 1963 – January 11, 1971 (term-limited)	Republican	1962		Brown, John WilliamJohn William Brown
						1966
62			John J. Gilligan (1921–2013)	January 11, 1971 – January 13, 1975 (lost election)	Democratic	1970
63			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			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 (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 (b. 1949)	December 31, 1998 – January 11, 1999 (successor took office)	Republican	Succeeded from lieutenant governor	Vacant
67			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			Ted Strickland (b. 1941)	January 8, 2007 – January 10, 2011 (lost election)	Democratic	2006		Fisher, LeeLee Fisher
69			John Kasich (b. 1952)	January 10, 2011 – January 14, 2019 (term-limited)	Republican	2010		Taylor, MaryMary Taylor
						2014
70			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

Timeline of Ohio governors

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