List of governors of Florida facts for kids

Ron DeSantis has been governor since January 8, 2019.

The governor of Florida is like the boss of the state of Florida. They are the main leader of Florida's government. The governor also leads the state's executive branch, which is the part of government that carries out laws. They are also the commander-in-chief of the Florida National Guard, which is like the state's own military force.

The person who is governor right now is Ron DeSantis. He is a member of the Republican Party. He started his job on January 8, 2019.

Becoming the Governor of Florida
Florida's Governors Through History
When Someone Acts as Governor
See also
Images for kids

Becoming the Governor of Florida

Florida became part of the United States in 1821. Before it was a state, it was a territory. A military commissioner first governed it. This person had the powers of a governor.

Early Leaders of Florida

The first person to lead Florida when it became a U.S. territory was Andrew Jackson. He was a military commissioner from March 10, 1821, to December 31, 1821. He was chosen by President James Monroe.

After that, Florida became an organized territory on March 30, 1822. This combined East and West Florida. The first official governor of the Florida Territory was William Pope Duval. He served for many years, from April 17, 1822, to April 17, 1834.

Other governors of the Florida Territory included John Eaton, Richard K. Call (who served twice), Robert R. Reid, and John Branch. These governors were appointed by the President of the United States at the time.

Florida Becomes a State

Florida officially became a state on March 3, 1845. This was a big step! The state's first constitution in 1838 said that the governor would be elected every four years. They could not serve two terms in a row.

Florida left the United States on January 10, 1861. It joined the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War. After the war ended, Florida rejoined the United States on June 25, 1868.

Over time, the rules for the governor's job changed. The term length stayed at four years. Sometimes, governors could serve more than one term. The current rules say that a governor cannot be elected for a third term if they have already served more than six years in two terms.

Who Takes Over if the Governor Can't Serve?

Long ago, if the governor's office was empty, the president of the state senate would become acting governor. Later, the job of lieutenant governor was created. This person would take over if the governor could not do their job. The lieutenant governor and governor are now elected together on the same ballot.

Florida's Governors Through History

Florida has had many governors from different political parties. For a long time, the Democratic Party was very strong in Florida. After the Civil War, there were a few Republican governors. But then, the Democratic Party was in charge for about 90 years! Since 1998, Florida has mostly elected Republican governors.

Here are some of the important governors of the State of Florida:

William Dunn Moseley was the first governor of the State of Florida. He served from 1845 to 1849.
Thomas Brown was the only governor from the Whig Party. He served from 1849 to 1853.
John Milton was governor during the Civil War. He died in office in 1865.
Harrison Reed was one of the first Republican governors after the Civil War. He served from 1868 to 1873.
William D. Bloxham served two non-consecutive terms, from 1881-1885 and again from 1897-1901.
Sidney Johnston Catts was a unique governor from the Prohibition Party. He served from 1917 to 1921.
LeRoy Collins was a well-known Democratic governor who served from 1955 to 1961.
Claude R. Kirk Jr. was the first Republican governor elected in Florida in almost 100 years. He served from 1967 to 1971.
Reubin Askew was a popular Democratic governor who served two terms, from 1971 to 1979.
Jeb Bush was a Republican governor who served from 1999 to 2007.
Rick Scott was a Republican governor who served from 2011 to 2019.
Ron DeSantis is the current governor, serving since 2019.

When Someone Acts as Governor

Sometimes, a person might serve as an "acting governor." This happens when the main governor is not able to do their job for a short time. For example, in 1853, Governor Thomas Brown was out of the state. So, A.K. Allison, who was the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, became acting governor for 17 days.

More recently, in 2008, Governor Charlie Crist had knee surgery. He officially transferred his power to Lieutenant Governor Jeff Kottkamp for a short time. This allowed the lieutenant governor to "act as Governor" while Governor Crist recovered.

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Andrew Jackson was the first Federal Military Commissioner of Florida.
William Pope Duval was the first governor of the Territory of Florida.
John Eaton served as governor of the Florida Territory.
Richard K. Call served two terms as governor of the Florida Territory.
Robert R. Reid was governor of the Florida Territory.
John Branch was the last governor of the Florida Territory.
William Dunn Moseley was the first governor of the State of Florida.
Thomas Brown was Florida's only Whig Party governor.
James E. Broome was a Democratic governor of Florida.
Madison S. Perry was governor during the lead-up to the Civil War.
John Milton was governor during the American Civil War.
Abraham K. Allison briefly served as acting governor.
William Marvin was a provisional governor after the Civil War.
David S. Walker was Florida's first elected governor after the Civil War.
Harrison Reed was a Republican governor during Reconstruction.
Ossian B. Hart was a Republican governor who died in office.
Marcellus Stearns became governor after Ossian Hart's death.
George Franklin Drew was a Democratic governor after Reconstruction.
William D. Bloxham served two non-consecutive terms as governor.
Edward A. Perry was a Democratic governor.
Francis P. Fleming was a Democratic governor.
Henry L. Mitchell was a Democratic governor.
William Sherman Jennings was a Democratic governor.
Napoleon B. Broward was a Democratic governor.
Albert W. Gilchrist was a Democratic governor.
Park Trammell was a Democratic governor.
Sidney Johnston Catts was Florida's only Prohibition Party governor.
Cary A. Hardee was a Democratic governor.
John W. Martin was a Democratic governor.
Doyle E. Carlton was a Democratic governor.
David Sholtz was a Democratic governor.
Fred P. Cone was a Democratic governor.
Spessard Holland was a Democratic governor.
Millard Caldwell was a Democratic governor.
Fuller Warren was a Democratic governor.
Daniel T. McCarty was a Democratic governor who died in office.
Charley Eugene Johns served as acting governor.
LeRoy Collins was a prominent Democratic governor.
C. Farris Bryant was a Democratic governor.
W. Haydon Burns was a Democratic governor.
Claude R. Kirk Jr. was the first Republican governor in Florida in nearly a century.
Reubin Askew was a two-term Democratic governor.
Bob Graham was a two-term Democratic governor.
Wayne Mixson briefly served as governor.
Bob Martinez was a Republican governor.
Lawton Chiles was a two-term Democratic governor who died in office.
Buddy MacKay briefly served as governor.
Jeb Bush was a two-term Republican governor.
Charlie Crist was a Republican governor.
Rick Scott was a two-term Republican governor.
Ron DeSantis is the current governor of Florida.

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List of governors of Florida Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.