List of governors of Idaho

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Governor of Idaho
Seal of Idaho.svg
Brad Little official photo (cropped).jpg
Incumbent
Brad Little

since January 7, 2019
ResidenceNone
Term lengthFour years, no term limit
Inaugural holderGeorge L. Shoup
FormationOctober 1, 1890
DeputyJanice McGeachin
Salary$117,000 (2013)[1]
Websitegov.idaho.gov

The governor of Idaho is the head of government of Idaho[2] and commander-in-chief of the state's military forces.[3] The officeholder has the duty to see state laws are executed, power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Idaho Legislature.[3] The current governor of Idaho is Republican Brad Little, who took office on January 7, 2019.

History[]

Office of the Idaho Governor

The Territory of Idaho had sixteen territorial governors appointed by the president of the United States from the territory's organization in 1863 until the formation of the state of Idaho in 1890. Four of these never took office, resigning before reaching the territory.

31 individuals have held the office of governor of Idaho since the state's admission to the Union in 1890, two of whom—C. A. Bottolfsen and Cecil Andrus—served non-consecutive terms. The state's first governor, George L. Shoup, had the shortest term of three months; Cecil Andrus served as governor the longest at 14 years. Four governors resigned, but none have died while in office.

20 governors have been Republicans while 11 were Democrats. Andrus was the last Democrat to hold the governorship in Idaho; he left office in 1995.

Governors[]

Governors of the Territory of Idaho[]

Idaho Territory was created from Dakota Territory, Nebraska Territory, and Washington Territory on March 4, 1863.[4]

Due to the long distance between Washington, D.C. and Boise, there was often a lengthy gap between a governor being appointed and his arrival in the territory; four resigned before even arriving.

Governors of the Territory of Idaho
No. Governor Term in office Appointed by Notes
1 William H. Wallace.jpg William H. Wallace
    July 19, 1811 – February 7, 1879   
(aged 67)
July 1863[5][6]

December 1863[5]
Abraham Lincoln [a]
2 Caleb Lyon.jpg Caleb Lyon
    December 7, 1822 – September 8, 1875   
(aged 52)
August 1, 1864[5][6]

April 1866[8]
3 Davidwballard.jpg David W. Ballard
    February 21, 1824 – September 18, 1883   
(aged 59)
June 14, 1866[9]

July 1870[10]
Andrew Johnson
Samuel Bard 1823-1878 (Idaho Governor), front.jpg Samuel Bard
    May 18, 1825 – September 18, 1878   
(aged 53)
Appointed March 30, 1870[11] Ulysses S. Grant [b]
Gilman Marston - Brady-Handy.jpg Gilman Marston
    August 20, 1811 – July 3, 1890   
(aged 78)
Appointed June 7, 1870[11] [c]
Alexander H. Conner (Idaho Governor).jpg Alexander H. Conner
    August 5, 1831 – May 29, 1891   
(aged 59)
Appointed January 12, 1871[11] [d]
4 ThomasMBowen.jpg Thomas M. Bowen
    October 26, 1835 – December 30, 1906   
(aged 71)
July 1871[12]

August 15, 1871[12]
[e]
5 Thomas W. Bennett territorial governor - Brady-Handy.jpg Thomas W. Bennett
    February 16, 1831 – February 2, 1893   
(aged 61)
December 1871[13]

December 4, 1875[14]
[f]
6 Davidpthompson.jpg David P. Thompson
    November 8, 1834 – December 14, 1901   
(aged 67)
April 1876[16]

May 1876[16]
[g]
7 Masonbrayman.jpg Mason Brayman
    May 23, 1813 – February 27, 1895   
(aged 81)
July 1876[17]

July 24, 1880[18]
[h]
John Philo Hoyt.jpg John Philo Hoyt
    October 6, 1841 – August 27, 1926   
(aged 84)
Appointed June 8, 1878[20]
Appointed August 7, 1878[21]
Rutherford B. Hayes [i]
8 Johnbaldwinneil.jpg John Baldwin Neil
    July 28, 1842 – October 6, 1902   
(aged 60)
August 3, 1880[22]

March 2, 1883[23]
9 John Nichol Irwin - oval.jpg John N. Irwin
    December 25, 1844 – December 22, 1905   
(aged 60)
April 1883[24]

December 20, 1883[24]
Chester A. Arthur [j]
10 William Malcolm Bunn.jpg William M. Bunn
    January 1, 1842 – September 19, 1923   
(aged 81)
June 26, 1884[26]

July 3, 1885[27]
[k]
11 Edwardastevenson.PNG Edward A. Stevenson
    June 15, 1831 – July 6, 1895   
(aged 64)
September 29, 1885[28]

April 1, 1889[29]
Grover Cleveland
12 Georgelshoup.jpg George L. Shoup
    June 15, 1836 – December 21, 1904   
(aged 68)
April 30, 1889[30]

July 3, 1890
Benjamin Harrison

Governors of the State of Idaho[]

Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890. Since then, the state has had 33 governors, two of whom served non-consecutive terms. The terms for governor and lieutenant governor are 4 years, commencing on the first Monday in the January following the election.[31] Prior to 1946, the offices were elected to terms of two years.[32] If the office of governor is vacant or the governor is out of state or unable to discharge his duties, the lieutenant governor acts as governor until such time as the disability is removed.[33] If both the offices of governor and lieutenant governor are vacant or both those officers are unable to fulfill their duties, the President pro tempore of the Idaho Senate is next in line, and then the Speaker of the Idaho House of Representatives.[34] After the change to four-year terms, self-succession (re-election) was not initially allowed; newly elected Governor Robert E. Smylie, formerly the state's attorney general, successfully lobbied the 1955 legislature to propose an amendment to the state constitution to allow gubernatorial re-election, which was approved by voters in the 1956 general election.[35][36] There is no limit to the number of terms a governor may serve.[37]

Governors of the State of Idaho
No. Governor Term in office Party Election Lt. Governor[l]
1 Georgelshoup.jpg   George L. Shoup
    June 15, 1836 – December 21, 1904   
(aged 68)
October 1, 1890

December 18, 1890
(resigned)[m]
Republican   N. B. Willey
2 Norman Bushnell Willey (Idaho Governor).jpg N. B. Willey
    March 25, 1838 – October 20, 1921   
(aged 83)
December 18, 1890

January 2, 1893
(not candidate for election)
Republican Lieutenant
Governor
acting as
Governor
John S. Gray
3 Williammcconnell.jpg William J. McConnell
    September 18, 1839 – March 30, 1925   
(aged 85)
January 2, 1893

January 4, 1897
(not candidate for election)
Republican 1892 F. B. Willis
F. J. Mills
4 Franksteunenberg.jpg Frank Steunenberg
    August 8, 1861 – December 30, 1905   
(aged 44)
January 4, 1897

January 7, 1901
(not candidate for election)
Democratic[n] 1896 George F. Moore[n]
1898 J. H. Hutchinson[n]
5 Frankwhunt.PNG Frank W. Hunt
    December 16, 1861 – November 25, 1906   
(aged 44)
January 7, 1901

January 5, 1903
(lost election)
Democratic 1900 Thomas F. Terrell
6 John T. Morrison.jpg John T. Morrison
    December 25, 1860 – December 20, 1915   
(aged 54)
January 5, 1903

January 2, 1905
(not candidate for election)
Republican 1902 James M. Stevens
7 Frankgooding.jpg Frank R. Gooding
    September 16, 1859 – June 24, 1928   
(aged 68)
January 2, 1905

January 4, 1909
(not candidate for election)
Republican 1904 Burpee L. Steeves
1906 Ezra A. Burrell
8 Jamesbrady.jpg James H. Brady
    June 12, 1862 – January 13, 1918   
(aged 55)
January 4, 1909

January 2, 1911
(lost election)
Republican 1908 Lewis H. Sweetser
9 Jameshhawley.jpg James H. Hawley
    January 17, 1847 – August 3, 1929   
(aged 82)
January 2, 1911

January 6, 1913
(lost election)
Democratic 1910
10 Johnmhaines.jpg John M. Haines
    January 1, 1863 – June 4, 1917   
(aged 54)
January 6, 1913

January 4, 1915
(lost election)
Republican 1912 Herman H. Taylor[o]
11 Mosesalexander.jpg Moses Alexander
    November 13, 1853 – January 4, 1932   
(aged 78)
January 4, 1915

January 6, 1919
(not candidate for election)
Democratic 1914
1916 Ernest L. Parker
12 DWDavis.jpg D. W. Davis
    April 23, 1873 – August 5, 1959   
(aged 86)
January 6, 1919

January 1, 1923
(not candidate for election)
Republican 1918 Charles C. Moore
1920
13 Charles C. Moore 1904.jpg Charles C. Moore
    February 26, 1866 – March 19, 1958   
(aged 92)
January 1, 1923

January 3, 1927
(not candidate for election)
Republican 1922 H. C. Baldridge
1924
14 HCBaldridge.jpg H. C. Baldridge
    November 24, 1868 – June 8, 1947   
(aged 78)
January 3, 1927

January 5, 1931
(not candidate for election)
Republican 1926 O. E. Hailey
1928 W. B. Kinne
(died October 1, 1929)
Vacant
O. E. Hailey
(appointed October 25, 1929)
15 C. Ben Ross (Idaho Governor).jpg C. Ben Ross
    December 27, 1876 – March 31, 1946   
(aged 69)
January 5, 1931

January 4, 1937
(not candidate for election)
Democratic 1930 G. P. Mix
1932 George Hill
1934 G. P. Mix
16 Barzilla W. Clark (Idaho Governor).jpg Barzilla W. Clark
    December 22, 1880 – September 21, 1943   
(aged 62)
January 4, 1937

January 2, 1939
(not candidate for election)
Democratic 1936 Charles C. Gossett
17 C. A. Bottolfsen (Idaho Governor).jpg C. A. Bottolfsen
    October 10, 1891 – July 18, 1964   
(aged 72)
January 2, 1939

January 6, 1941
(lost election)
Republican 1938 Donald S. Whitehead
18 Chase A. Clark (Idaho governor).jpg Chase A. Clark
    August 21, 1883 – December 30, 1966   
(aged 83)
January 6, 1941

January 4, 1943
(lost election)
Democratic 1940 Charles C. Gossett
19 C. A. Bottolfsen (Idaho Governor).jpg C. A. Bottolfsen
    October 10, 1891 – July 18, 1964   
(aged 72)
January 4, 1943

January 1, 1945
(not candidate for election)
Republican 1942 Edwin Nelson
20 Charlescgossett.jpg Charles C. Gossett
    September 2, 1888 – September 20, 1974   
(aged 86)
January 1, 1945

November 17, 1945
(resigned)[p]
Democratic 1944 Arnold Williams
21 Arnold Williams (Idaho Governor).jpg Arnold Williams
    May 21, 1898 – May 25, 1970   
(aged 72)
November 17, 1945

January 6, 1947
(lost election)
Democratic Lieutenant
Governor
acting as
Governor
Vacant
A. R. McCabe
(appointed March 20, 1946)
22 C. A. Robins (Idaho Governor) (cropped).jpg C. A. Robins
    December 8, 1884 – September 20, 1970   
(aged 85)
January 6, 1947

January 1, 1951
(re-election not allowed)
Republican 1946
[q]
Donald S. Whitehead
23 Lenjordan.jpg Leonard B. Jordan
    May 15, 1899 – June 30, 1983   
(aged 84)
January 1, 1951

January 3, 1955
(re-election not allowed)
Republican 1950 Edson H. Deal
24 Robert E. Smylie.jpg Robert E. Smylie
    October 31, 1914 – July 17, 2004   
(aged 89)
January 3, 1955

January 2, 1967
(lost renomination)
Republican 1954 J. Berkeley Larsen
1958 W. E. Drevlow[r]
1962
25 Don Samuelson.jpg Don Samuelson
    July 27, 1913 – January 20, 2000   
(aged 86)
January 2, 1967

January 4, 1971
(lost election)
Republican 1966 Jack M. Murphy[o]
26 Cecil D Andrus.png Cecil Andrus
    August 25, 1931 – August 24, 2017   
(aged 85)
January 4, 1971

January 24, 1977
(resigned)[s]
Democratic 1970
1974 John V. Evans
27 John V. Evans (Idaho Governor).jpg John V. Evans
    January 18, 1925 – July 8, 2014   
(aged 89)
January 24, 1977

January 5, 1987
(not candidate for election)
Democratic Lieutenant
Governor
acting as
Governor
Vacant
William J. Murphy
(appointed January 28, 1977)
1978 Phil Batt[o]
1982 David H. Leroy[o]
28 Cecil D Andrus.png Cecil Andrus
    August 25, 1931 – August 24, 2017   
(aged 85)
January 5, 1987

January 2, 1995
(not candidate for election)
Democratic 1986 Butch Otter[o]
(resigned January 3, 2001)
1990
29 Phil Batt 2010 (cropped).jpg Phil Batt
    (1927-03-04) March 4, 1927 (age 94)
January 2, 1995

January 4, 1999
(not candidate for election)
Republican 1994
30 Dirkkempthornesenate.jpg Dirk Kempthorne
    (1951-10-29) October 29, 1951 (age 70)
January 4, 1999

May 26, 2006
(resigned)[t]
Republican 1998
Vacant
Jack Riggs
(appointed January 30, 2001)
2002 Jim Risch
31 James E. Risch, official Senate photo portrait, 2009.jpg Jim Risch
    (1943-05-03) May 3, 1943 (age 78)
May 26, 2006

January 1, 2007
(not candidate for election)
Republican Lieutenant
Governor
acting as
Governor
Vacant
Mark Ricks
(appointed June 15, 2006)
32 Butchotter.jpg Butch Otter
    (1942-05-03) May 3, 1942 (age 79)
January 1, 2007

January 7, 2019
(not candidate for election)
Republican 2006 Jim Risch
(resigned January 3, 2009)
Vacant
Brad Little
(appointed January 6, 2009)
2010
2014
33 Brad Little official photo.jpg Brad Little
    (1954-02-15) February 15, 1954 (age 68)
January 7, 2019

present[u]
Republican 2018 Janice McGeachin

Succession[]

See also[]

Notes[]

  1. ^ Wallace resigned to take an elected seat as delegate in the United States House of Representatives.[7]
  2. ^ Appointed governor but resigned in April 1870 to become postmaster of Atlanta, Georgia, before arriving in Idaho.[10]
  3. ^ Appointed governor but resigned in December 1870 before arriving in Idaho.[10]
  4. ^ Appointed governor but declined the offer.[10]
  5. ^ Upon arriving in Idaho, Bowen did not like the looks of the landscape, so he decided to stay only a few weeks.[12]
  6. ^ Bennett resigned to take an elected seat as delegate in the United States House of Representatives.[15]
  7. ^ Thompson left Idaho in May 1876 to attend the Republican National Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio. He resigned in Cincinnati after he learned federal officers couldn't hold government contracts.[16]
  8. ^ Brayman was suspended by President Hayes on June 8, 1878 and Hoyt was appointed Governor of Idaho. After Hoyt refused the appointment, Brayman was allowed to serve out the remainder of his term.[19]
  9. ^ Appointed governor on June 8, 1878, but was rejected by the United States Senate for taking too long to respond to the offer. Appointed again on August 7, 1878, but declined the offer after researching the suspension of Governor Brayman.[19]
  10. ^ Irwin left Idaho Territory in May 1883, never to return. He returned his paychecks from July 1883 through December 1883 to the U.S. Treasury.[25]
  11. ^ Bunn left Idaho on April 17, 1885 for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he subsequently resigned on July 3, 1885.[24]
  12. ^ Lieutenant governors represented the same party as their governor unless noted.
  13. ^ Shoup resigned to take an elected seat in the United States Senate.
  14. ^ a b c Part of a fusion ticket that was also endorsed by the Populist Party[21]
  15. ^ a b c d e Represented the Republican Party
  16. ^ Gossett resigned to let Lieutenant Governor Williams succeed him and then appoint him to the United States Senate.[38]
  17. ^ First term under a constitution amendment which lengthened terms to four years[31]
  18. ^ Represented the Democratic Party
  19. ^ Andrus resigned to be United States Secretary of the Interior.
  20. ^ Kempthorne resigned to become United States Secretary of the Interior.
  21. ^ Little's first term expires on January 2, 2023.

References[]

General
  • "Governors of Idaho". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on September 11, 2016. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  • Brosnan, C. J. (1918). History of the State of Idaho. Charles Scribner's Sons. p. 217. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
  • "Executive Branch" (PDF). Idaho Bluebook. State of Idaho. pp. 70–72. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 17, 2010. Retrieved August 14, 2010.
  • Hailey, John (1910). History of Idaho. Boise, Idaho: Syms-York Company. Retrieved August 14, 2010.
  • Limbaugh, Ronald H. (1982). Rocky Mountain Carpetbaggers: Idaho's Territorial Governors, 1863–1890. Moscow, Idaho: University Press of Idaho. ISBN 0-89301-082-0. Retrieved August 14, 2010.
Constitution
Specific
  1. ^ "CSG Releases 2013 Governor Salaries". The Council of State Governments. June 25, 2013. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  2. ^ ID Const. art. IV, § 5
  3. ^ a b ID Const. art. IV, § 4
  4. ^ Brosnan, Cornelius James (1918). History of the State of Idaho. Charles Scribner's Sons. pp. 117–128. Retrieved June 29, 2010.
  5. ^ a b c Limbaugh p. 47
  6. ^ a b Hailey p. 166
  7. ^ "Wallace, William Henson". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Clerk of the United States House of Representatives and Historian of the United States Senate. Retrieved June 29, 2010.
  8. ^ Limbaugh p. 65
  9. ^ "Territorial Government in Idaho, 1863–1869" (PDF). Idaho State Historical Society. 1963. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 11, 2010. Retrieved September 24, 2010.
  10. ^ a b c d Limbaugh p. 90
  11. ^ a b c Hailey p. 165
  12. ^ a b c Limbaugh p. 92
  13. ^ Limbaugh p. 103
  14. ^ Poore, Perley (1875). Congressional Directory. Washington D.C.: Congressional Printing Office. p. 71. Retrieved June 29, 2010.
  15. ^ "Bennett, Thomas Warren". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Clerk of the United States House of Representatives and Historian of the United States Senate. Retrieved June 29, 2010.
  16. ^ a b c Limbaugh p. 106
  17. ^ Limbaugh p. 114
  18. ^ Limbaugh p. 130
  19. ^ a b Limbaugh pp. 127–129
  20. ^ "Territorial Governors who did not server" (PDF). Idaho State Historical Society. 1988. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 13, 2010. Retrieved September 24, 2010.
  21. ^ a b "Executive Branch" (PDF). Idaho Bluebook. State of Idaho. pp. 70–71. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 17, 2010. Retrieved August 14, 2010.
  22. ^ Limbaugh p. 139
  23. ^ Limbaugh p. 147
  24. ^ a b c Limbaugh p. 148
  25. ^ "Notes from Washington". The New York Times. December 28, 1883. Retrieved August 14, 2010.
  26. ^ Donaldson, Thomas (1941). Idaho of Yesterday. Caldwell, Idaho: Caxton Printers, Ltd. p. 271. OCLC 100976.
  27. ^ "Resignation of Gov. Bunn". The New York Times. July 14, 1885. p. 4. Retrieved August 14, 2010.
  28. ^ Limbaugh p. 172
  29. ^ Limbaugh pp. 179–180
  30. ^ Limbaugh p. 181
  31. ^ a b ID Const. art. IV, § 1
  32. ^ "Idaho Constitutional Amendment History". Idaho Secretary of State. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
  33. ^ ID Const. art. IV, § 12
  34. ^ ID Const. art. IV, § 14
  35. ^ "Idaho voters adopt three amendments". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Associated Press. November 7, 1956. p. 1.
  36. ^ Corlett, John (March 31, 1963). "It's mystery why law barring self-succession not repealed". Lewiston Morning Tribune. p. 5.
  37. ^ "Idaho Makes Term Limits History". National Conference of State Legislatures. February 1, 2002. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
  38. ^ "Idaho Shake-Up Draws Criticism". Spokane Daily Chronicle. November 30, 1945. Retrieved August 14, 2010.

External links[]

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