 |
|
| Governor of Delaware | |
|---|---|
| Style | The Honorable |
| Residence | Delaware Governor's Mansion Dover, Delaware |
| Term length | Four years, renewable once |
| Inaugural holder | John McKinly |
| Formation | February 12, 1777 |
| Deputy | Bethany Hall-Long |
| Salary | $171,000 (2013) |
| Website | governor.delaware.gov |
The Governor of Delaware (President of Delaware from 1776 to 1792) is the head of the executive branch of Delaware's state government 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 Delaware Legislature, to convene the legislature, and to grant pardons, except in cases of impeachment, and only with the recommendation of the Board of Pardons.
There have been 70 people who have served as governor, over 73 distinct terms. Additionally, Henry Molleston was elected, but died before he could take office. Only four governors have been elected to two consecutive terms, with the longest-serving being Ruth Ann Minner, who was elected twice after succeeding to the office, serving a total of just over eight years. The shortest term is that of Dale E. Wolf, who served 18 days following his predecessor's resignation; David P. Buckson served 19 days under similar circumstances. The current governor is John Carney, who took office on January 17, 2017.
Seventeen of Delaware's governors have held other high offices, with six representing Delaware in the Continental Congress and twelve representing the state in the U.S. Congress. Two have served as President of Pennsylvania. Four (marked with *) resigned to take other offices, three in the U.S. Congress and one to be President of Pennsylvania.
All representatives and senators listed represented Delaware except where noted.
| Governor | Gubernatorial term | Other offices held | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| McKean, ThomasThomas McKean | 1777 | Continental Delegate (including President of the Continental Congress), President of Pennsylvania | |
| Read, GeorgeGeorge Read | 1777–1778 | Continental Delegate, Senator | |
| Rodney, CaesarCaesar Rodney | 1778–1781 | Continental Delegate | |
| Dickinson, JohnJohn Dickinson | 1781–1783 | Continental Delegate, Continental Delegate from Pennsylvania, President of Pennsylvania* | |
| Van Dyke, NicholasNicholas Van Dyke | 1783–1786 | Continental Delegate | |
| Clayton, JoshuaJoshua Clayton | 1789–1796 | Senator | |
| Bassett, RichardRichard Bassett | 1799–1801 | Senator | |
| Mitchell, NathanielNathaniel Mitchell | 1805–1808 | Continental Delegate | |
| Rodney, DanielDaniel Rodney | 1814–1817 | Representative, Senator | |
| Temple, WilliamWilliam Temple | 1846–1847 | Representative | |
| Biggs, Benjamin T.Benjamin T. Biggs | 1887–1891 | Representative | |
| Townsend, Jr., John G.John G. Townsend, Jr. | 1917–1921 | Senator | |
| Buck, C. DouglassC. Douglass Buck | 1929–1937 | Senator | |
| Boggs, J. CalebJ. Caleb Boggs | 1953–1960 | Senator* | |
| du Pont, IV, Pierre S.Pierre S. du Pont, IV | 1977–1985 | Representative | |
| Castle, MichaelMichael Castle | 1985–1992 | Representative* | |
| Carper, TomTom Carper | 1993–2001 | Representative, Senator* |
