kids encyclopedia robot

List of governors of West Virginia facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Governor of West Virginia
Seal of the Governor of West Virginia.svg
Seal of the governor
Patrick Morrisey by Gage Skidmore.jpg
Incumbent
Patrick Morrisey

since January 13, 2025
Style
Residence West Virginia Governor's Mansion
Term length Four years, renewable once consecutively
Inaugural holder Arthur I. Boreman
Formation June 20, 1863
Succession Line of succession
Salary $150,000 (2022)

The governor of West Virginia is the main leader of the state's government. They are also the commander-in-chief of West Virginia's military forces, like the West Virginia National Guard. The governor's job is to make sure state laws are followed. They can approve or reject new laws passed by the West Virginia Legislature. The governor can also call the legislature together at any time. They have the power to grant pardons (forgive someone for a crime) or reprieves (delay a punishment).

West Virginia became a state on June 20, 1863, during the American Civil War. Since then, 37 people have served as governor. Two governors, Arch A. Moore Jr. and Cecil H. Underwood, served two terms that were not back-to-back. The governor who served the longest was Arch A. Moore Jr., for a total of twelve years over three terms.

The first governor of West Virginia was Arthur I. Boreman. He served the most terms in a row, but he resigned a week before his third term ended. Before West Virginia became a state, Francis Harrison Pierpont was chosen as governor in 1861. He is known as the "Father of West Virginia."

Daniel D. T. Farnsworth was the shortest-serving governor. He was the senate president and filled the last seven days of Governor Boreman's term. Cecil H. Underwood holds a special record. He was the youngest person elected governor at age 34 in 1957. He was also the oldest person elected and serving as governor at age 74 in 1997. The current governor is Republican Patrick Morrisey, who started his term on January 13, 2025.

To become governor, a person must be at least 30 years old. They must also have lived in West Virginia for at least five years before becoming governor. The state's current constitution, which was approved in 1872, says the governor serves for four years. Their term starts on the Monday after the second Wednesday in January, right after an election. The first constitution in 1863 only allowed for a two-year term. Since 1968, a governor can be reelected many times, but not more than twice in a row. If someone serves part of a term, it counts towards this two-term limit.

West Virginia's constitution does not mention a lieutenant governor. If the governor's position becomes empty, the senate president is next in line to take over. If there is more than one year left in the governor's term, a new election is held to choose a governor for the rest of the term. If there is less than a year left, the senate president acts as governor for the remaining time. A law passed in 2000 gives the senate president the honorary title of lieutenant governor. However, this title is not often used. After the senate president, the next in line are the speaker of the West Virginia House of Delegates, then the state attorney general, the state auditor, and then former governors who live in the state.

Who Can Be Governor?

To be elected Governor of West Virginia, a person must meet these requirements:

  • Be a citizen of the United States.
  • Have lived in West Virginia for at least five years before the election.
  • Be a qualified voter in West Virginia.
  • Be at least 30 years old.

West Virginia Governors List

Governors of the State of West Virginia
No. Governor Term in office Party Election
1 Arthur I. Boreman - Brady-Handy (cropped).jpg   Arthur I. Boreman
(1823–1896)
June 20, 1863

February 26, 1869
(resigned)
Republican 1863
1864
1866
2 Daniel D.T. Farnsworth.png Daniel D. T. Farnsworth
(1819–1892)
February 26, 1869

March 4, 1869
(successor took office)
Republican President of
the Senate
acting
3 William E. Stevenson, unknown date (cropped).jpg William E. Stevenson
(1820–1883)
March 4, 1869

March 4, 1871
(lost election)
Republican 1868
4 Governor J. J. Jacob.jpg John J. Jacob
(1829–1893)
March 4, 1871

March 4, 1877
(term-limited)
Democratic 1870
People's
Independent
1872
5 Henry M. Mathews - Brady-Handy.jpg Henry M. Mathews
(1834–1884)
March 4, 1877

March 4, 1881
(term-limited)
Democratic 1876
6 Jacob Beeson Jackson.gif Jacob B. Jackson
(1829–1893)
March 4, 1881

March 4, 1885
(term-limited)
Democratic 1880
7 GovernorWilson.gif Emanuel Willis Wilson
(1844–1905)
March 4, 1885

February 6, 1890
(term-limited)
Democratic 1884
8 ABFleming.gif Aretas B. Fleming
(1839–1923)
February 6, 1890

March 4, 1893
(term-limited)
Democratic 1888
9 GovernorMaccorkle.gif William A. MacCorkle
(1857–1930)
March 4, 1893

March 4, 1897
(term-limited)
Democratic 1892
10 George W. Atkinson.gif George W. Atkinson
(1845–1925)
March 4, 1897

March 4, 1901
(term-limited)
Republican 1896
11 Albert Blakeslee White wmm.jpg Albert B. White
(1856–1941)
March 4, 1901

March 4, 1905
(term-limited)
Republican 1900
12 William Dawson.gif William M. O. Dawson
(1853–1916)
March 4, 1905

March 4, 1909
(term-limited)
Republican 1904
13 GovernorGlasscock.gif William E. Glasscock
(1862–1925)
March 4, 1909

March 4, 1913
(term-limited)
Republican 1908
14 Henry Hatfield.jpg Henry D. Hatfield
(1875–1962)
March 4, 1913

March 4, 1917
(term-limited)
Republican 1912
15 John J. Cornwell.jpg John J. Cornwell
(1867–1953)
March 4, 1917

March 4, 1921
(term-limited)
Democratic 1916
16 Ephraim F. Morgan.jpg Ephraim F. Morgan
(1869–1950)
March 4, 1921

March 4, 1925
(term-limited)
Republican 1920
17 Howard Mason Gore.jpg Howard Mason Gore
(1877–1947)
March 4, 1925

March 4, 1929
(term-limited)
Republican 1924
18 WilliamGConley (cropped).jpg William G. Conley
(1866–1940)
March 4, 1929

March 4, 1933
(term-limited)
Republican 1928
19 H. Guy Kump (West Virginia Governor).jpg Herman G. Kump
(1877–1962)
March 4, 1933

January 18, 1937
(term-limited)
Democratic 1932
20 Homer A. Holt.jpg Homer A. Holt
(1898–1975)
January 18, 1937

January 13, 1941
(term-limited)
Democratic 1936
21 Matthewneely.jpg Matthew M. Neely
(1874–1958)
January 13, 1941

January 15, 1945
(term-limited)
Democratic 1940
22 Clarence W. Meadows.jpg Clarence W. Meadows
(1904–1961)
January 15, 1945

January 17, 1949
(term-limited)
Democratic 1944
23 Okey Patteson.jpg Okey Patteson
(1898–1989)
January 17, 1949

January 19, 1953
(term-limited)
Democratic 1948
24 William C. Marland.jpg William C. Marland
(1918–1965)
January 19, 1953

January 14, 1957
(term-limited)
Democratic 1952
25 Cecil Underwood.jpg Cecil H. Underwood
(1922–2008)
January 14, 1957

January 16, 1961
(term-limited)
Republican 1956
26 William Wallace Barron.jpg Wally Barron
(1911–2002)
January 16, 1961

January 18, 1965
(term-limited)
Democratic 1960
27 Hulett C. Smith.jpg Hulett C. Smith
(1918–2012)
January 18, 1965

January 13, 1969
(term-limited)
Democratic 1964
28 Arch Moore 1976.jpg Arch A. Moore Jr.
(1923–2015)
January 13, 1969

January 17, 1977
(term-limited)
Republican 1968
1972
29 Jay Rockefeller 1977 crop.png Jay Rockefeller
(b. 1937)
January 17, 1977

January 14, 1985
(term-limited)
Democratic 1976
1980
30 Arch Moore.jpg Arch A. Moore Jr.
(1923–2015)
January 14, 1985

January 16, 1989
(lost election)
Republican 1984
31 Gaston Caperton crop.jpg Gaston Caperton
(b. 1940)
January 16, 1989

January 13, 1997
(term-limited)
Democratic 1988
1992
32 Cecil Underwood 1998 (cropped).jpg   Cecil H. Underwood
(1922–2008)
January 13, 1997

January 15, 2001
(lost election)
Republican 1996
33 Bob Wise.jpg Bob Wise
(b. 1948)
January 15, 2001

January 17, 2005
(did not run)
Democratic 2000
34 Joe Manchin, Official Senate Portrait.jpg Joe Manchin
(b. 1947)
January 17, 2005

November 15, 2010
(resigned)
Democratic 2004
2008
35 Earl Ray Tomblin 2 (cropped).jpg Earl Ray Tomblin
(b. 1952)
November 15, 2010

January 16, 2017
(term-limited)
Democratic President of
the Senate
acting
2011
(special)
2012
36 Jim Justice West Virginia Chamber Business Summit 2024.jpg Jim Justice
(b. 1951)
January 16, 2017

January 13, 2025
(term-limited)
Democratic 2016
Republican 2020
37 Patrick Morrisey by Gage Skidmore.jpg Patrick Morrisey
(b. 1967)
January 13, 2025

Incumbent
Republican 2024

Timeline of Governors

See Also

  • Gubernatorial lines of succession in the United States § West Virginia
  • List of West Virginia state legislatures
kids search engine
List of governors of West Virginia Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.