List of governors of Michigan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Governor of Michigan
Seal of Michigan Governor.svg
Seal of the Governor
Flag of the Governor of Michigan.svg
Flag of the Governor
Gretchen Whitmer (2021) (cropped).jpg
Incumbent
Gretchen Whitmer
since January 1, 2019
StyleHer Excellency[1]
Status
  • Head of State
  • Head of Government
ResidenceMichigan Governor's Mansion
Term lengthFour years, renewable once
PrecursorGovernor of Michigan Territory
Inaugural holderStevens T. Mason
FormationNovember 3, 1835
DeputyLieutenant Governor of Michigan
Salary$159,300 (2019)
Websitewww.michigan.gov/gov

The governor of Michigan, is the head of government of Michigan and serves as the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces.[2] The governor has a duty to enforce state laws;[3] the power to either approve or veto appropriation bills passed by the Michigan Legislature;[4] the power to convene the legislature;[5] and the power to grant pardons, except in cases of impeachment.[6] He or she is also empowered to reorganize the executive branch of the state government.[7]

In the 17th and 18th century, Michigan was part of French and then British holdings, and administered by their colonial governors. After becoming part of the United States, areas of what is today Michigan were part of the Northwest Territory, Indiana Territory and Illinois Territory, and administered by territorial governors. In 1805, the Michigan Territory was created, and five men served as territorial governors, until Michigan was granted statehood in 1837. Forty-eight individuals have held the position of state governor. The first female governor, Jennifer Granholm, served from 2003 to 2011.

After Michigan gained statehood, governors held the office for a 2-year term, until the 1963 Michigan Constitution changed the term to 4 years. The number of times an individual could hold the office was unlimited until a 1992 constitutional amendment imposed a lifetime term limit of two 4-year governorships. The longest-serving governor in Michigan's history was William Milliken, who was promoted from lieutenant governor after Governor George W. Romney resigned to become Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, then was elected to three further successive terms. The only governors to serve non-consecutive terms were John S. Barry and Frank Fitzgerald.

Governors[]

Michigan was part of New France until the Treaty of Paris transferred ownership of the region to Great Britain. During the period of French rule, it was governed by the Lieutenants General of New France until 1627, the Governors of New France from 1627 to 1663, and the Governors General of New France until the transfer to Great Britain. The Treaty of Paris, signed in 1783, ceded the territory that is now Michigan to the United States as part of the end of the Revolutionary War, but Britain did not release the territory to the United States until 1796 (Lower Peninsula), 1818 (Upper Peninsula) and 1827 (Drummond Island). During the period of British rule, their governors administered the area as part of the territorial holdings of British Indian Reserve, 1763-1774; Quebec, 1774-1791, and Lower Canada (Ontario), from 1791.[8]

Prior to becoming a separate territory in 1805, Michigan was administered as part of the Northwest Territory, 1789-1800; then divided between the Ohio Country and the new Indiana Territory, 1800-1803 (when the eastern half of the Lower Peninsula was transferred to Indiana upon Ohio achieving statehood). On June 30, 1805, the Territory of Michigan was created, with General William Hull as the first territorial governor.[8][9] Originally, the territory included only the Lower Peninsula and eastern tip of the Upper Peninsula. The rest of the Upper Peninsula remained part of Indiana Territory until creation of Illinois Territory in 1809. The entire Upper Peninsula was not attached to Michigan Territory until Illinois became a state in 1818, Indiana having become a state in 1816.

Governors of the Territory of Michigan[]

Governors of the Territory of Michigan
No. Governor Term in office Appointed by
1 William Hull.jpg William Hull March 1, 1805
–
October 29, 1813 		Thomas Jefferson
2 Lewis Cass, 14th United States Secretary of War.jpg Lewis Cass October 29, 1813
–
August 6, 1831 		James Madison
3 George B. Porter.png George Bryan Porter August 6, 1831
–
July 6, 1834[a] 		Andrew Jackson
– Stevens T Mason.png Stevens T. Mason July 6, 1834[a]
–
September 19, 1835 		—
4 John S. Horner.png John S. Horner September 19, 1835
–
July 3, 1836[b] 		Andrew Jackson

Governors of the State of Michigan[]

Michigan was admitted to the Union on January 26, 1837. The original 1835 Constitution of Michigan provided for the election of a governor and a lieutenant governor every 2 years.[12] The fourth and current constitution of 1963 increased this term to four years.[13] There was no term limit on governors until a constitutional amendment effective in 1993 limited governors to two terms.[14]

Should the office of governor become vacant, the lieutenant governor becomes governor, followed in order of succession by the Secretary of State and the Attorney General.[15] Prior to the current constitution, the duties of the office would devolve upon the lieutenant governor, without that person actually becoming governor.[16] The term begins at noon on January 1 of the year following the election.[17] Prior to the 1963 constitution, the governor and lieutenant governor were elected through separate votes, allowing them to be from different parties. In 1963, this was changed, so that votes are cast jointly for a governor and lieutenant governor of the same party.[13][18]

No. Governor Term in office Party Election Lt. Governor[c]
1 Stevens T. Mason.jpg   Stevens T. Mason November 3, 1835
–
January 7, 1840 		Democratic 1835
[b] 		  Edward Mundy
1837
2 William Woodbridge (6268126208).jpg William Woodbridge January 7, 1840
–
February 23, 1841 		Whig 1839
[d] 		James Wright Gordon
3 J Wright Gordon.JPG James Wright Gordon February 23, 1841
–
January 3, 1842 		Whig Thomas J. Drake
4 Jsbarry-1-.jpg John S. Barry January 3, 1842
–
January 5, 1846 		Democratic 1841 Origen D. Richardson
1843
5 Michigan Justice Alpheus Felch, The Green Bag, p. 380, w text.jpg Alpheus Felch January 5, 1846
–
March 3, 1847 		Democratic 1845
[e] 		William L. Greenly
6 William Greenly.png William L. Greenly March 4, 1847
–
January 3, 1848 		Democratic Charles P. Bush
7 Epaphroditus Ransom 1.jpg Epaphroditus Ransom January 3, 1848
–
January 7, 1850 		Democratic 1847 William M. Fenton
8 Jsbarry-1-.jpg John S. Barry January 7, 1850
–
January 1, 1852 		Democratic 1849
9 Robert McClelland 1.jpg Robert McClelland January 1, 1852
–
March 7, 1853 		Democratic 1851
[f] 		Calvin Britain
1852
[g] 		Andrew Parsons
10 Andrew parsons.jpg Andrew Parsons March 8, 1853
–
January 3, 1855 		Democratic George Griswold
11 Kingsley Bingham.jpg Kinsley S. Bingham January 3, 1855
–
January 5, 1859 		Republican 1854 George Coe
1856
12 Mwisner-1-.jpg Moses Wisner January 5, 1859
–
January 2, 1861 		Republican 1858 Edmund Burke Fairfield
13 Austin Blair cph.3b29566.jpg Austin Blair January 2, 1861
–
January 3, 1865 		Republican 1860 James M. Birney
(resigned April 3, 1861)
Joseph R. Williams
(died June 15, 1861)
Henry T. Backus
1862 Charles S. May
14 Governor-crapo-1-.jpg Henry H. Crapo January 3, 1865
–
January 6, 1869 		Republican 1864 Ebenezer O. Grosvenor
1866 Dwight May
15 Henry P. Baldwin.png Henry P. Baldwin January 6, 1869
–
January 1, 1873 		Republican 1868 Morgan Bates
1870
16 John J. Bagley.jpg John J. Bagley January 1, 1873
–
January 3, 1877 		Republican 1872 Henry H. Holt
1874
17 Charles Croswell Painting.jpg Charles Croswell January 3, 1877
–
January 1, 1881 		Republican 1876 Alonzo Sessions
1878
18 David Howell Jerome.jpg David Jerome January 1, 1881
–
January 1, 1883 		Republican 1880 Moreau S. Crosby[h]
19 JosiahBegole.jpg Josiah Begole January 1, 1883
–
January 1, 1885 		Democratic 1882
20 Russell Alexander Alger by Percy Ives.jpg Russell A. Alger January 1, 1885
–
January 1, 1887 		Republican 1884 Archibald Buttars
21 Cyrus Luce.jpg Cyrus G. Luce January 1, 1887
–
January 1, 1891 		Republican 1886 James H. MacDonald
1888 William Ball
22 Edwin Baruch Winans.jpg Edwin B. Winans January 1, 1891
–
January 1, 1893 		Democratic 1890 John Strong
23 John Tyler Rich.jpg John Treadway Rich January 1, 1893
–
January 1, 1897 		Republican 1892 J. Wight Giddings
1894 Alfred Milnes
(resigned June 1, 1895)
Joseph R. McLaughlin
24 HazenSPingreeDetroitMayor.jpg Hazen S. Pingree January 1, 1897
–
January 1, 1901 		Republican 1896 Thomas B. Dunstan
1898 Orrin W. Robinson
25 Aaron T. Bliss, Governor of Michigan portrait.jpg Aaron T. Bliss January 1, 1901
–
January 1, 1905 		Republican 1900
1902 Alexander Maitland
26 FredMWarner.jpg Fred M. Warner January 1, 1905
–
January 2, 1911 		Republican 1904
1906 Patrick H. Kelley
1908
27 OSBORN, CHASE. GOVERNOR LCCN2016862363.jpg Chase Osborn January 2, 1911
–
January 1, 1913 		Republican 1910 John Q. Ross[h]
28 Business Journal (1912) (14590826058).jpg Woodbridge Nathan Ferris January 1, 1913
–
January 1, 1917 		Democratic 1912
1914 Luren Dickinson[h]
29 Albert Edson Sleeper (December 31, 1862 – May 13, 1934) in 1916.jpg Albert Sleeper January 1, 1917
–
January 1, 1921 		Republican 1916
1918
30 AlexJGroesbeck.jpg Alex J. Groesbeck January 1, 1921
–
January 1, 1927 		Republican 1920 Thomas Read
1922
1924 George W. Welsh
31 Fred Warren Green in 1917.jpg Fred W. Green January 1, 1927
–
January 1, 1931 		Republican 1926 Luren Dickinson
1928
32 Attorney General Brucker 2.png Wilber M. Brucker January 1, 1931
–
January 1, 1933 		Republican 1930
33 William A. Comstock (Michigan Governor).jpg William Comstock January 1, 1933
–
January 1, 1935 		Democratic 1932 Allen E. Stebbins
34 Frank D. Fitzgerald.jpg Frank Fitzgerald January 1, 1935
–
January 1, 1937 		Republican 1934 Thomas Read
35 Frank Murphy 1939.png Frank Murphy January 1, 1937
–
January 1, 1939 		Democratic 1936 Leo J. Nowicki
36 Frank D. Fitzgerald.jpg Frank Fitzgerald January 1, 1939
–
March 16, 1939 		Republican 1938
[i] 		Luren Dickinson
37 Luren D. Dickinson.jpg Luren Dickinson March 16, 1939
–
January 1, 1941 		Republican Matilda Dodge Wilson
38 Murray D. Van Wagoner.jpg Murray Van Wagoner January 1, 1941
–
January 1, 1943 		Democratic 1940 Frank Murphy
39 Harry F. Kelly.jpg Harry Kelly January 1, 1943
–
January 1, 1947 		Republican 1942 Eugene C. Keyes
1944 Vernon J. Brown
40 Kim Sigler (Michigan Governor) (cropped).jpg Kim Sigler January 1, 1947
–
January 1, 1949 		Republican 1946 Eugene C. Keyes
41 G. Mennen Williams 1959.png G. Mennen Williams January 1, 1949
–
January 1, 1961 		Democratic 1948 John W. Connolly
1950 William C. Vandenberg[h]
1952 Clarence A. Reid[h]
1954 Philip Hart
1956
1958 John Swainson
42 John Swainson (1961 portrait).png John Swainson January 1, 1961
–
January 1, 1963 		Democratic 1960 T. John Lesinski[j]
43 George W. Romney official portrait.jpg George W. Romney January 1, 1963
–
January 22, 1969 		Republican 1962
1964 William Milliken
1966
[k][l]
44 William Milliken 1969.png William Milliken January 22, 1969
–
January 1, 1983 		Republican Thomas F. Schweigert
1970 James H. Brickley
1974 James Damman
1978 James H. Brickley
45 James Blanchard (DOS-1993).jpeg James Blanchard January 1, 1983
–
January 1, 1991 		Democratic 1982 Martha Griffiths
1986
46 Vern Ehlers and John Engler (cropped).jpeg John Engler January 1, 1991
–
January 1, 2003 		Republican 1990 Connie Binsfeld
1994
1998 Dick Posthumus
47 Jennifer Granholm 5.jpg Jennifer Granholm January 1, 2003
–
January 1, 2011 		Democratic 2002 John D. Cherry
2006
48 Rick Snyder in 2013.jpg Rick Snyder January 1, 2011
–
January 1, 2019 		Republican 2010 Brian Calley
2014
49 Gretchen Whitmer (2021) (cropped).jpg Gretchen Whitmer January 1, 2019
–
present 		Democratic 2018
[m] 		Garlin Gilchrist

Succession[]

Main article: Gubernatorial lines of succession in the United States § Michigan

Other high offices held[]

Several governors also held other high positions within the state and federal governments. Eight governors served as U.S. House of Representatives members, while seven held positions in the U.S. Senate, all representing Michigan. Others have served as ambassadors, U.S. Cabinet members, and state and federal Supreme Court justices.

* Denotes those offices for which the governor resigned the governorship.
Governor Gubernatorial term Other offices held Source
Lewis Cass 1813–1831 (territorial) President pro tempore of the Senate, Ambassador to France, U.S. Secretary of War, U.S. Secretary of State, Democratic Party candidate for President of the U.S. (1848) [20]
William Woodbridge 1840–1841 Territorial Delegate; United States Senator (March 4, 1841 – March 4, 1847) [21]
Robert McClelland 1852–1853 U.S. Secretary of the Interior* [22]
Russell A. Alger 1885–1887 U.S. Secretary of War [23]
Wilber M. Brucker 1931–1933 U.S. Secretary of the Army [24]
Frank Murphy 1937–1939 High Commissioner to the Philippines, U.S. Attorney General, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, Governor-General of the Philippines [25]
G. Mennen Williams 1949–1961 Ambassador to the Philippines, Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court [26]
George W. Romney 1963–1969 U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development* [27]
James Blanchard 1983–1991 Ambassador to Canada [28]
Jennifer Granholm 2003–2011 U.S. Secretary of Energy [29]

Living former governors of Michigan[]

As of February 2022, there are four living former governors of Michigan. The most recent death of a former governor was that of William Milliken (served 1969-83) on October 18, 2019, aged 97. Milliken was also the most recently serving governor of Michigan to have died. The state's living former governors are:

Governor Gubernatorial term Date of birth (and age)
James Blanchard 1983–1991 (1942-08-08) August 8, 1942 (age 79)
John Engler 1991–2003 (1948-10-12) October 12, 1948 (age 73)
Jennifer Granholm 2003–2011 (1959-02-05) February 5, 1959 (age 62)
Rick Snyder 2011–2019 (1958-08-19) August 19, 1958 (age 63)

Notes[]

  1. ^ a b Porter died in office; as territorial secretary, Mason acted as governor until a replacement was appointed.[10]
  2. ^ a b Horner was appointed Secretary and Acting Governor to replace Stevens T. Mason. In October 1835, Michigan authorized a state constitution and elected Mason as governor of the new state, although the state was not admitted until 1837. Horner was mostly ignored by the people of Michigan and resigned to be Secretary of Wisconsin Territory in July 1836.[11]
  3. ^ Lieutenant governors represented the same party as their governor unless noted.
  4. ^ Woodbridge resigned to take an elected seat in the United States Senate; as lieutenant governor, Gordon acted as governor for the remainder of the term.
  5. ^ Felch resigned to take an elected seat in the United States Senate; as lieutenant governor, Greenly acted as governor for the remainder of the term.
  6. ^ After a new state constitution was drafted in 1850, McClelland was elected to a single one-year term in 1851. He was then re-elected to a full two-year term in 1852.[19]
  7. ^ McClelland resigned to be United States Secretary of the Interior; as lieutenant governor, Parsons acted as governor for the remainder of the term.
  8. ^ a b c d e Represented the Republican Party.
  9. ^ Fitzgerald died in office; as lieutenant governor, Dickinson acted as governor for the remainder of the term.
  10. ^ Represented the Democratic Party.
  11. ^ This was the first four-year term under the new constitution.
  12. ^ Romney resigned to be United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; as lieutenant governor, Milliken succeeded him.
  13. ^ Whitmer's first term expires January 1, 2023.

References[]

General
  • "Former Governor Biographies: Michigan". National Governors Association. Retrieved January 1, 2013.
  • "Chronology of Michigan History" (PDF). Michigan Manual 2003–2004. Michigan Legislative Council. Retrieved January 2, 2013.
Constitutions
Specific
  1. ^ Macomb, Alex (1837). "No. 20: Letter from Major General Macomb, to His Excellency the Governor of Michigan, Accompanying a Copy of Military Tactics". Documents Accompanying the Journal of the Senate. Detroit: John S. Bagg, State Printer. p. 167 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ 1963 Michigan Constitution, Article 5, Section 12
  3. ^ 1963 Michigan Constitution, Article 5, Section 8
  4. ^ 1963 Michigan Constitution, Article 5, Section 19
  5. ^ 1963 Michigan Constitution, Article 5, Section 15
  6. ^ 1963 Michigan Constitution, Article 5, Section 14
  7. ^ 1963 Michigan Constitution, Article 5, Section 2
  8. ^ a b "Chronology of Michigan History" (PDF). Michigan Manual 2003–2004. Michigan Legislative Council. pp. 1–5. Retrieved January 1, 2013.
  9. ^ "Laws of Illinois Territory". Western Illinois University. Retrieved January 2, 2013.
  10. ^ Dunbar, Willis F. & May, George S. (1995). Michigan: A History of the Wolverine State (Third Revised ed.). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. pp. 276–78. ISBN 9780802870551.
  11. ^ Dunbar, Willis F. & May, George S. (1995). Michigan: A History of the Wolverine State (Third Revised ed.). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. pp. 208–11. ISBN 9780802870551.
  12. ^ 1835 Const. art. V, § 1
  13. ^ a b MI Const. art. V, § 21
  14. ^ MI Const. art. V, § 30
  15. ^ MI Const. art. V, § 26
  16. ^ 1835 Const. art. V, § 13
  17. ^ "Executive Branch". State of Michigan. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
  18. ^ 1835 Const. art. V, § 3
  19. ^ Gardner, Washington (1913). History of Calhoun County, Michigan. Lewis Pub. Co. p. 220. robert mcclelland michigan governor.
  20. ^ "Cass, Lewis (1782–1866)". Biographical Dictionary of the United States Congress. Clerk of the United States House of Representatives and Historian of the United States Senate. Retrieved January 1, 2013.
  21. ^ "Woodbridge, William (1780–1861)". Biographical Dictionary of the United States Congress. Clerk of the United States House of Representatives and Historian of the United States Senate. Retrieved January 1, 2013.
  22. ^ "McClelland, Robert (1807–1880)". Biographical Dictionary of the United States Congress. Clerk of the United States House of Representatives and Historian of the United States Senate. Retrieved January 1, 2013.
  23. ^ "Alger, Russell Alexander (1836–1907)". Biographical Dictionary of the United States Congress. Clerk of the United States House of Representatives and Historian of the United States Senate. Retrieved January 1, 2013.
  24. ^ "Michigan Governor Wilbur Marion Brucker". National Governors Association. Retrieved January 1, 2013.
  25. ^ "Michigan Governor Frank Murphy". National Governors Association. Retrieved January 1, 2013.
  26. ^ "Michigan Governor Gerhard Mennen Williams". National Governors Association. Retrieved January 1, 2013.
  27. ^ "Michigan Governor George Wilcken Romney". National Governors Association. Retrieved January 2, 2013.
  28. ^ "Blanchard, James Johnston (1942–)". Biographical Dictionary of the United States Congress. Clerk of the United States House of Representatives and Historian of the United States Senate. Retrieved January 1, 2013.
  29. ^ "Roll Call Vote No. 66". United States Senate. United States Senate.
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