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List of governors of Indiana facts for kids

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StateCapitolIndiana
The Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis, which houses the office of the governor

The governor of Indiana is the head of government of the U.S. state of Indiana. The governor is the head of the executive branch of Indiana's state government and is charged with enforcing state laws.

While a territory, Indiana had two governors appointed by the President of the United States. Since statehood in 1816, it has had 49 governors, serving 51 distinct terms; Isaac P. Gray and Henry F. Schricker are the only governors to have served non-consecutive terms. Four governors have served two four-year terms; territorial governor William Henry Harrison served for over 12 years. The shortest-serving governor is Henry Smith Lane, who served two days before resigning to become a U.S. Senator. The current governor is Eric Holcomb, who took office on January 9, 2017.

Governors

Governors of the Territory of Indiana

Indiana Territory was formed on July 4, 1800, from the Northwest Territory. Despite remaining a territory for nearly 16 years, it had only two governors appointed by the President of the United States before it became a state.

Governors of the Territory of Indiana
No. Governor Term in office Appointed by
1 Rembrandt Peale - William Henry Harrison - Google Art Project.jpg William Henry Harrison
    February 9, 1773 – April 4, 1841   
(aged 68)
January 10, 1801

December 28, 1812
John Adams
Thomas Jefferson
James Madison
John Gibson
    May 23, 1740 – April 10, 1822   
(aged 81)
December 28, 1812

March 3, 1813
acting
2 Thomas Posey Portrait.jpg Thomas Posey
    July 9, 1750 – March 19, 1818   
(aged 67)
March 3, 1813

November 7, 1816
James Madison

Governors of the State of Indiana

Indiana was admitted to the Union on December 11, 1816.

The original 1816 Constitution of Indiana provided for the election of a governor and a lieutenant governor every three years, limited to six years out of any nine-year period. The second and current constitution of 1851 lengthened terms to four years and set the commencement of the governor's term on the second Monday in the January following the election. Governors were allowed to serve for four years in any eight-year period, but a 1972 amendment permitted governors to serve for eight years in any twelve-year period. Should the office of governor become vacant, the lieutenant governor becomes governor. If the office of lieutenant governor is vacant, the president pro tempore of the Indiana Senate becomes governor; this has happened once, when James B. Ray succeeded William Hendricks.

Governors of the State of Indiana
No. Governor Term in office Party Election Lt. Governor
1 JonathanJennings.jpg   Jonathan Jennings
    March 27, 1784 – July 26, 1834   
(aged 50)
November 7, 1816

September 12, 1822
(resigned)
Democratic-
Republican
1816   Christopher Harrison
(resigned December 18, 1818)
Vacant
1819 Ratliff Boon
2 Ratliffboonindiana.jpg Ratliff Boon
    January 18, 1781 – November, 1844   
(aged 63)
September 12, 1822

December 5, 1822
(successor took office)
Democratic-
Republican
Succeeded from
Lieutenant
Governor
Vacant
3 William hendricks sr.jpg William Hendricks
    November 12, 1782 – May 16, 1850   
(aged 67)
December 5, 1822

February 12, 1825
(resigned)
Democratic-
Republican
1822 Ratliff Boon
(resigned January 30, 1824)
Vacant
4 Indiana Governor James B. Ray.jpg James B. Ray
    February 19, 1794 – August 4, 1848   
(aged 54)
February 12, 1825

December 7, 1831
(term limited)
Independent Succeeded from
President of
the Senate
1825 John H. Thompson
1828 Milton Stapp
5 Noah Noble Portrait.jpg Noah Noble
    January 15, 1794 – February 8, 1844   
(aged 50)
December 7, 1831

December 6, 1837
(term limited)
Whig 1831 David Wallace
1834
6 Gov David Wallace Portrait.jpg David Wallace
    April 24, 1799 – September 4, 1859   
(aged 60)
December 6, 1837

December 9, 1840
(term limited)
Whig 1837 David Hillis
7 Samuel Bigger Portrait.jpg Samuel Bigger
    March 20, 1802 – September 9, 1846   
(aged 44)
December 9, 1840

December 6, 1843
(lost election)
Whig 1840 Samuel Hall
8 Whitcombj.gif James Whitcomb
    December 1, 1795 – October 4, 1852   
(aged 56)
December 6, 1843

December 27, 1848
(resigned)
Democratic 1843 Jesse D. Bright
(resigned December 8, 1845)
Vacant
1846 Paris C. Dunning
9 Governor of indiana paris c dunning.gif Paris C. Dunning
    March 15, 1806 – May 9, 1884   
(aged 78)
December 27, 1848

December 5, 1849
(not candidate for election)
Democratic Succeeded from
Lieutenant
Governor
Vacant
10 Joseph A Wright Portrait.jpg Joseph A. Wright
    April 17, 1810 – May 11, 1867   
(aged 57)
December 5, 1849

January 12, 1857
(term limited)
Democratic 1849 James Henry Lane
1852 Ashbel P. Willard
11 Ashbel Parsons Willard.jpg Ashbel P. Willard
    October 31, 1820 – October 4, 1860   
(aged 39)
January 12, 1857

October 4, 1860
(died in office)
Democratic 1856 Abram A. Hammond
12 Govabramhammond.gif Abram A. Hammond
    March 21, 1814 – August 27, 1874   
(aged 60)
October 4, 1860

January 14, 1861
(successor took office)
Democratic Succeeded from
Lieutenant
Governor
Vacant
13 Sen Henry Smith Lane.jpg Henry Smith Lane
    February 24, 1811 – June 19, 1881   
(aged 70)
January 14, 1861

January 16, 1861
(resigned)
Republican 1860 Oliver P. Morton
14 Oliver Hazard Perry Morton - Brady-Handy.jpg Oliver P. Morton
    August 4, 1823 – November 1, 1877   
(aged 54)
January 16, 1861

January 24, 1867
(resigned)
Republican Succeeded from
Lieutenant
Governor
Vacant
1864 Conrad Baker
15 Conradbakerindiana.jpg Conrad Baker
    February 12, 1817 – April 28, 1885   
(aged 68)
January 24, 1867

January 13, 1873
(term limited)
Republican Succeeded from
Lieutenant
Governor
Vacant
1868 William Cumback
(resigned January 11, 1871)
Vacant
16 Thomas Andrews Hendricks.jpg Thomas A. Hendricks
    September 7, 1819 – November 25, 1885   
(aged 66)
January 13, 1873

January 8, 1877
(term limited)
Democratic 1872 Leonidas Sexton
17 James D. Williams - Brady-Handy.jpg James D. Williams
    January 16, 1808 – November 20, 1880   
(aged 72)
January 8, 1877

November 20, 1880
(died in office)
Democratic 1876 Isaac P. Gray
18 IsaacPGray.png Isaac P. Gray
    October 18, 1828 – February 14, 1895   
(aged 66)
November 20, 1880

January 10, 1881
(successor took office)
Democratic Succeeded from
Lieutenant
Governor
Vacant
19 Albert-G-Porter.jpeg Albert G. Porter
    April 20, 1824 – May 3, 1897   
(aged 73)
January 10, 1881

January 12, 1885
(term limited)
Republican 1880 Thomas Hanna
20 IsaacPGray.png Isaac P. Gray
    October 18, 1828 – February 14, 1895   
(aged 66)
January 12, 1885

January 14, 1889
(term limited)
Democratic 1884 Mahlon Dickerson Manson
(resigned July 1886)
Vacant
21 Gen Alvin P Hovey 06985r.jpg Alvin Peterson Hovey
    September 6, 1821 – November 23, 1891   
(aged 70)
January 14, 1889

November 23, 1891
(died in office)
Republican 1888 Ira Joy Chase
22 Gov ira chase of indiana.gif Ira Joy Chase
    December 7, 1834 – May 11, 1895   
(aged 60)
November 23, 1891

January 9, 1893
(lost election)
Republican Succeeded from
Lieutenant
Governor
Vacant
23 Claudematthewsindiana.jpg Claude Matthews
    December 14, 1845 – August 28, 1898   
(aged 52)
January 9, 1893

January 11, 1897
(term limited)
Democratic 1892 Mortimer Nye
24 Indiana Governor James A. Mount.gif James A. Mount
    March 24, 1843 – January 16, 1901   
(aged 57)
January 11, 1897

January 14, 1901
(term limited)
Republican 1896 William S. Haggard
25 Indiana Governor Winfield T. Durbin.gif Winfield T. Durbin
    May 4, 1847 – December 18, 1928   
(aged 81)
January 14, 1901

January 9, 1905
(term limited)
Republican 1900 Newton W. Gilbert
26 J. Frank Hanly, 1908 (cropped).jpg Frank Hanly
    April 4, 1863 – August 1, 1920   
(aged 57)
January 9, 1905

January 11, 1909
(term limited)
Republican 1904 Hugh Thomas Miller
27 Thomas Riley Marshall headshot.jpg Thomas R. Marshall
    March 14, 1854 – June 1, 1925   
(aged 71)
January 11, 1909

January 13, 1913
(term limited)
Democratic 1908 Frank J. Hall
28 Samuel Moffett Ralston.jpg Samuel M. Ralston
    December 1, 1857 – October 14, 1925   
(aged 67)
January 13, 1913

January 8, 1917
(term limited)
Democratic 1912 William P. O'Neill
29 Indiana Governor James P. Goodrich.gif James P. Goodrich
    February 18, 1864 – August 15, 1940   
(aged 76)
January 8, 1917

January 10, 1921
(term limited)
Republican 1916 Edgar D. Bush
30 Warren T. McCray.jpg Warren T. McCray
    February 4, 1865 – December 19, 1938   
(aged 63)
January 10, 1921

April 30, 1924
(resigned)
Republican 1920 Emmett Forest Branch
31 Emmett F. Branch (Indiana governor).jpg Emmett Forest Branch
    May 16, 1874 – February 23, 1932   
(aged 57)
April 30, 1924

January 12, 1925
(not candidate for election)
Republican Succeeded from
Lieutenant
Governor
Vacant
32 EdwardLJackson.jpg Edward L. Jackson
    December 27, 1873 – November 18, 1954   
(aged 80)
January 12, 1925

January 14, 1929
(term limited)
Republican 1924 F. Harold Van Orman
33 Harry G. Leslie (Indiana governor).jpg Harry G. Leslie
    April 6, 1878 – December 10, 1937   
(aged 59)
January 14, 1929

January 9, 1933
(term limited)
Republican 1928 Edgar D. Bush
34 Paul V McNutt Oct 1941.jpg Paul V. McNutt
    July 19, 1891 – March 24, 1955   
(aged 63)
January 9, 1933

January 11, 1937
(term limited)
Democratic 1932 M. Clifford Townsend
35 M. Clfford Townsend (Indiana governor).jpg M. Clifford Townsend
    August 11, 1884 – November 11, 1954   
(aged 70)
January 11, 1937

January 13, 1941
(term limited)
Democratic 1936 Henry F. Schricker
36 Henry F. Schricker (IN).jpg Henry F. Schricker
    August 30, 1883 – December 28, 1966   
(aged 83)
January 13, 1941

January 8, 1945
(term limited)
Democratic 1940 Charles M. Dawson
37 Ralph F. Gates (IN).png Ralph F. Gates
    February 24, 1893 – July 28, 1978   
(aged 85)
January 8, 1945

January 10, 1949
(term limited)
Republican 1944 Richard T. James
(resigned April 1, 1948)
Vacant
Rue J. Alexander
(appointed April 14, 1948)
(died January 2, 1949)
Vacant
38 Henry F. Schricker (IN 2).png Henry F. Schricker
    August 30, 1883 – December 28, 1966   
(aged 83)
January 10, 1949

January 12, 1953
(term limited)
Democratic 1948 John A. Watkins
39 George N. Craig (IN).png George N. Craig
    August 6, 1909 – December 17, 1992   
(aged 83)
January 12, 1953

January 14, 1957
(term limited)
Republican 1952 Harold W. Handley
40 Harold W. Handley (Indiana Governor) 2.jpg Harold W. Handley
    November 27, 1909 – August 30, 1972   
(aged 62)
January 14, 1957

January 9, 1961
(term limited)
Republican 1956 Crawford F. Parker
41 Matthew E. Welsh (IN).jpg Matthew E. Welsh
    Septemember 15, 1912 – May 28, 1995   
(aged 82)
January 9, 1961

January 11, 1965
(term limited)
Democratic 1960 Richard O. Ristine
42 Roger D. Branigin (IN).png Roger D. Branigin
    July 26, 1902 – November 19, 1975   
(aged 73)
January 11, 1965

January 13, 1969
(term limited)
Democratic 1964 Robert L. Rock
43 Edgar D. Whitcomb (IN).png Edgar Whitcomb
    November 6, 1917 – February 4, 2016   
(aged 98)
January 13, 1969

January 8, 1973
(not candidate for election)
Republican 1968 Richard E. Folz
44 Otis R. Bowen (1).jpg Otis Bowen
    February 26, 1918 – May 4, 2013   
(aged 95)
January 8, 1973

January 12, 1981
(term limited)
Republican 1972 Robert D. Orr
1976
45 Robert D. Orr.jpg Robert D. Orr
    November 17, 1917 – March 10, 2004   
(aged 86)
January 12, 1981

January 9, 1989
(term limited)
Republican 1980 John Mutz
1984
46 Evan Bayh official portrait.jpg Evan Bayh
    (1955-12-26) December 26, 1955 (age 68)
January 9, 1989

January 13, 1997
(term limited)
Democratic 1988 Frank O'Bannon
1992
47 Frank O'Bannon.jpg Frank O'Bannon
    January 30, 1930 – September 13, 2003   
(aged 73)
January 13, 1997

September 13, 2003
(died in office)
Democratic 1996 Joe Kernan
2000
48 Joe Kernan.jpg Joe Kernan
    April 8, 1946 – July 29, 2020   
(aged 74)
September 13, 2003

January 10, 2005
(lost election)
Democratic Succeeded from
Lieutenant
Governor
Vacant
Kathy Davis
(appointed October 20, 2003)
49 Mitch Daniels.jpg Mitch Daniels
    (1949-04-07) April 7, 1949 (age 74)
January 10, 2005

January 14, 2013
(term limited)
Republican 2004 Becky Skillman
2008
50 Mike Pence, official portrait, 112th Congress (cropped).jpg Mike Pence
    (1959-06-07) June 7, 1959 (age 64)
January 14, 2013

January 9, 2017
(not candidate for election)
Republican 2012 Sue Ellspermann
(resigned March 2, 2016)
Vacant
Eric Holcomb
(appointed March 3, 2016)
51 Holcomb Official Headshot.jpg Eric Holcomb
    (1968-05-02) May 2, 1968 (age 55)
January 9, 2017

Incumbent
Republican 2016 Suzanne Crouch
2020

Succession

Living former governors of Indiana

As of January 2022, three former U.S. governors of Indiana are currently living, the oldest being Mitch Daniels (served 2005–2013, born 1949). The most recent and most recently serving U.S. governor of Indiana to die was Joe Kernan (served 2003–2005, born 1946), on July 29, 2020.

Governor Gubernatorial term Date of birth (and age)
Mitch Daniels 2005–2013 (1949-04-07) April 7, 1949 (age 74)
Evan Bayh 1989–1997 (1955-12-26) December 26, 1955 (age 68)
Mike Pence 2013–2017 (1959-06-07) June 7, 1959 (age 64)
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