List of governors of West Virginia

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Governor of West Virginia
Seal of the Governor of West Virginia.svg
Seal of the Governor
Governor Jim Justice 2017.jpg
Incumbent
Jim Justice
since January 16, 2017
Style
Status
  • Head of State
  • Head of Government
ResidenceWest Virginia Governor's Mansion
Term lengthFour years, renewable once consecutively
Inaugural holderArthur I. Boreman
FormationJune 20, 1863
Salary$150,000 (2013)[1]

The governor of West Virginia is the head of government of West Virginia[2] and the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces.[3] The governor has a duty to enforce state laws,[2] and the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the West Virginia Legislature,[4] to convene the legislature at any time,[5] and, except when prosecution has been carried out by the House of Delegates, to grant pardons and reprieves.[6]

Since West Virginia was admitted to the Union on June 20, 1863, during the American Civil War, 34 men have served as governor. Two, Arch A. Moore Jr. (West Virginia's 28th and 30th governors) and Cecil H. Underwood (West Virginia's 25th and 32nd governors), served two nonconsecutive terms in office. The longest-serving governor was Moore, who served for three terms over twelve years. The state's first governor after admission into the Union, Arthur I. Boreman, served the most consecutive terms, resigning a week before the end of his third term. Before the state's admission, Francis H. Pierpont, the, "Father of West Virginia,"[7] was elected governor during the Wheeling Convention of 1861. Daniel D.T. Farnsworth was senate president at the time; he filled the last seven days of Boreman's term and remains the shortest-serving governor. Underwood has the unusual distinction of being both the youngest person to be elected as governor (age 34 upon his first term in 1957) and the oldest to both be elected and serve (age 74 upon his second term in 1997; age 78 at the end of his second term in 2001).

The current governor is Republican Jim Justice, who assumed office on January 16, 2017. West Virginia's 36th governor, Justice was elected as a Democrat, but switched to the Republican Party on August 4 of that year.[8]

To serve as governor, a person must be at least 30 years old, and must have been a citizen of West Virginia for at least five years at the time of inauguration.[9] Under the current Constitution of West Virginia, ratified in 1872, the governor serves a four-year term commencing on the Monday after the second Wednesday in the January following an election.[9] The original constitution of 1863 only called for a two-year term.[10] He may be reelected any number of times, but not more than twice in a row.[11] Any partial term served counts toward the limit of two consecutive terms.[11]

The constitution makes no mention of a lieutenant governor; if the governorship becomes vacant, the senate president acts as governor. If more than one year remains in the governor's term at the time of vacancy, a new election is held; otherwise, the senate president acts as governor for the remainder of the term.[12] A bill passed in 2000 grants the senate president the honorary title of lieutenant governor,[13] but this title is rarely used in practice and the terms of the senate president do not correspond with governorships. The same bill states that the line of succession after the senate president will be the speaker of the House of Delegates, followed by the state attorney general, the state auditor and former governors, in inverse order of term, that are in residence in the state at the time of the vacancy.[13]

List of governors[]

For a list of governors who served the region before West Virginia became a state, see List of governors of Virginia.
Parties

  Democratic (19)   People's Independent (1)   Republican (16)

# Governor Term start Term end Party Terms
[note 1]
1   Arthur I. Boreman - Brady-Handy.jpg Arthur I. Boreman
    July 24, 1823 – April 19, 1896   
(aged 72) 		June 20, 1863 February 26, 1869 Republican 2+1⁄2
[note 2]
2 Daniel D.T. Farnsworth.png Daniel D. T. Farnsworth
    December 23, 1819 – December 5, 1892   
(aged 72) 		February 26, 1869 March 4, 1869 Republican 1⁄2
[note 3]
3 GovernorStevenson.gif William E. Stevenson
    March 18, 1820 – November 29, 1883   
(aged 63) 		March 4, 1869 March 4, 1871 Republican 2
4 Governor J. J. Jacob.jpg John J. Jacob
    December 9, 1829 – November 24, 1893   
(aged 63) 		March 4, 1871 March 4, 1877 Democratic 2
[note 4]
[note 5]
Independent
5 Henry M. Mathews - Brady-Handy.jpg Henry M. Mathews
    March 29, 1834 – April 28, 1884   
(aged 50) 		March 4, 1877 March 4, 1881 Democratic 1
6 Jacob Beeson Jackson.gif Jacob B. Jackson
    April 6, 1829 – December 11, 1893   
(aged 64) 		March 4, 1881 March 4, 1885 Democratic 1
7 GovernorWilson.gif Emanuel Willis Wilson
    August 11, 1844 – May 28, 1905   
(aged 60) 		March 4, 1885 February 6, 1890 Democratic 1
[note 6]
8 ABFleming.gif Aretas B. Fleming
    October 15, 1839 – October 13, 1923   
(aged 83)[19] 		February 6, 1890 March 4, 1893 Democratic 1
9 GovernorMaccorkle.gif William A. MacCorkle
    May 7, 1857 – September 24, 1930   
(aged 73) 		March 4, 1893 March 4, 1897 Democratic 1
10 George W. Atkinson.gif George W. Atkinson
    June 29, 1845 – April 4, 1925   
(aged 79) 		March 4, 1897 March 4, 1901 Republican 1
11 Albert Blakeslee White wmm.jpg Albert B. White
    September 22, 1856 – July 3, 1941   
(aged 85) 		March 4, 1901 March 4, 1905 Republican 1
12 William Dawson.gif William M. O. Dawson
    May 21, 1853 – March 12, 1916   
(aged 62) 		March 4, 1905 March 4, 1909 Republican 1
13 GovernorGlasscock.gif William E. Glasscock
    December 13, 1862 – April 12, 1925   
(aged 62) 		March 4, 1909 March 14, 1913 Republican 1
14 Henry Hatfield.jpg Henry D. Hatfield
    September 15, 1875 – October 23, 1962   
(aged 87) 		March 14, 1913 March 5, 1917 Republican 1
15 John J. Cornwell.jpg John J. Cornwell
    July 11, 1867 – September 8, 1953   
(aged 86) 		March 5, 1917 March 4, 1921 Democratic 1
16 Ephraim F. Morgan.jpg Ephraim F. Morgan
    January 16, 1869 – January 15, 1950   
(aged 80) 		March 4, 1921 March 4, 1925 Republican 1
17 Howard Mason Gore.jpg Howard Mason Gore
    October 12, 1877 – June 20, 1947   
(aged 69) 		March 4, 1925 March 4, 1929 Republican 1
18 WilliamGConley.jpg William G. Conley
    January 8, 1866 – October 21, 1940   
(aged 74) 		March 4, 1929 March 4, 1933 Republican 1
19 H. Guy Kump (West Virginia Governor).jpg Herman G. Kump
    October 31, 1877 – February 14, 1962   
(aged 84) 		March 4, 1933 January 18, 1937 Democratic 1
20 Homer A. Holt.jpg Homer A. Holt
    March 1, 1898 – January 16, 1975   
(aged 76) 		January 18, 1937 January 13, 1941 Democratic 1
21 Matthewneely.jpg Matthew M. Neely
    November 9, 1874 – January 18, 1958   
(aged 83) 		January 13, 1941 January 15, 1945 Democratic 1
22 Clarence W. Meadows.jpg Clarence W. Meadows
    February 11, 1904 – September 12, 1961   
(aged 57) 		January 15, 1945 January 17, 1949 Democratic 1
23 Okey Patteson.jpg Okey Patteson
    September 14, 1898 – July 3, 1989   
(aged 90) 		January 17, 1949 January 19, 1953 Democratic 1
24 William C. Marland.jpg William C. Marland
    March 26, 1918 – November 26, 1965   
(aged 47) 		January 19, 1953 January 14, 1957 Democratic 1
25 Cecil H. Underwood.jpg Cecil H. Underwood
    November 5, 1922 – November 24, 2008   
(aged 86) 		January 14, 1957 January 16, 1961 Republican 1
26 William Wallace Barron.jpg William Wallace Barron
    December 8, 1911 – November 12, 2002   
(aged 90) 		January 16, 1961 January 18, 1965 Democratic 1
27 Hulett C. Smith.jpg Hulett C. Smith
    October 21, 1918 – January 15, 2012   
(aged 93) 		January 18, 1965 January 13, 1969 Democratic 1
28 Arch Moore signed photo.jpg Arch A. Moore Jr.
    April 16, 1923 – January 7, 2015   
(aged 91) 		January 13, 1969 January 17, 1977 Republican 2
29 Jay Rockefeller giving a speech aboard the USS Stump, July 2, 1984.JPEG Jay Rockefeller
(1937-06-18) June 18, 1937 (age 84) 		January 17, 1977 January 14, 1985 Democratic 2
30 Arch Moore signed photo.jpg Arch A. Moore Jr.
    April 16, 1923 – January 7, 2015   
(aged 91) 		January 14, 1985 January 16, 1989 Republican 1
31 Gaston Caperton 1996.jpg Gaston Caperton
(1940-02-21) February 21, 1940 (age 81) 		January 16, 1989 January 13, 1997 Democratic 2
32   Cecil Underwood 1998 (cropped).jpg Cecil H. Underwood
    November 5, 1922 – November 24, 2008   
(aged 86) 		January 13, 1997 January 15, 2001 Republican 1
33 Bob Wise.jpg Bob Wise
(1948-01-06) January 6, 1948 (age 73) 		January 15, 2001 January 17, 2005 Democratic 1
34 Joe Manchin, Official Senate Portrait.jpg Joe Manchin
(1947-08-24) August 24, 1947 (age 74) 		January 17, 2005 November 15, 2010 Democratic 1+1⁄2
[note 7]
35 Earl Ray Tomblin 2 (cropped).jpg Earl Ray Tomblin
(1952-03-15) March 15, 1952 (age 69) 		November 15, 2010 November 13, 2011[20] Democratic 1+1⁄2
[note 8]
November 13, 2011 January 16, 2017
36 Governor Jim Justice 2017.jpg Jim Justice
(1951-04-27) April 27, 1951 (age 70) 		January 16, 2017 Incumbent Democratic 2
[note 9]
Republican[note 10]

Succession[]

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

Other high offices held[]

This is a table of congressional offices held by governors. All representatives and senators listed represented West Virginia. No governor of West Virginia has held any other federal office.

* Denotes those offices that the governor resigned to take.
† Denotes those offices that the governor resigned to be governor.
Governor Gubernatorial term U.S. House U.S. Senate Source
Arthur I. Boreman 1863–1869 — S* [14]
George W. Atkinson 1897–1901 H — [22]
Henry D. Hatfield 1913–1917 — S [23]
Matthew M. Neely 1941–1945 H S† [24]
Arch A. Moore Jr. 1969–1977
1985–1989 		H — [25]
Jay Rockefeller 1977–1985 — S [26]
Bob Wise 2001–2005 H — [27]
Joe Manchin 2005–2010 — S* [28]

Living former governors of West Virginia[]

As of January 2017, there are five former governors of West Virginia who are currently living at this time, the oldest of whom is Jay Rockefeller (served 1977–1985, born 1937). The most recent governor to die was Arch A. Moore Jr. (served 1969–1977 and 1985–1989, born 1923), who died on January 7, 2015. The most recently serving governor to die was Cecil H. Underwood (served 1957–1961 and 1997–2001, born 1922), who died on November 24, 2008.[29]

Governor Gubernatorial term Date of birth (and age)
Jay Rockefeller 1977–1985 (1937-06-18) June 18, 1937 (age 84)
Gaston Caperton 1989–1997 (1940-02-21) February 21, 1940 (age 81)
Bob Wise 2001–2005 (1948-01-06) January 6, 1948 (age 73)
Joe Manchin 2005–2010 (1947-08-24) August 24, 1947 (age 74)
Earl Ray Tomblin 2010–2011(acting),
2011–2017 		(1952-03-15) March 15, 1952 (age 69)

Notes[]

  1. ^ The fractional terms of some governors are not to be understood literally; rather, they are meant to show single terms during which multiple governors served, due to resignations, deaths and the like.
  2. ^ Resigned to run for the United States Senate, winning election.[14][15]
  3. ^ As president of the state senate, filled unexpired term.[16]
  4. ^ Jacob's second term was under the 1872 constitution, which increased term lengths from two to four years.
  5. ^ Jacob was elected as a Democrat for his first term, and as an independent for his second.
  6. ^ Did not run for re-election in 1888, but due to the election being disputed, remained in office until the investigation was completed.[17][18]
  7. ^ Resigned to take an elected seat in the U.S. Senate.
  8. ^ As president of the state senate, acted as governor from November 15, 2010 until November 13, 2011 when he was inaugurated as governor after the special election held on October 4, 2011.[12][21] Tomblin was term limited.
  9. ^ Justice's second term began on January 18, 2021, and will expire on January 13, 2025; he will be term limited.
  10. ^ Justice was elected as a member of the West Virginia Democratic Party in the 2016 West Virginia gubernatorial election. He switched to the Republican Party six months into his term, on August 4, 2017.[8]

References[]

Specific
  1. ^ "CSG Releases 2013 Governor Salaries". The Council of State Governments. June 25, 2013. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b WV Constitution article VII, § 5.
  3. ^ WV Constitution article VII, § 12.
  4. ^ WV Constitution article VII, § 14.
  5. ^ WV Constitution article VI, § 18–19.
  6. ^ WV Constitution article VII, § 11.
  7. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on August 17, 2013. Retrieved April 17, 2019.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b "West Virginia Governor to Switch from Democrat to Republican". New York Times. August 3, 2017. Retrieved August 3, 2017.
  9. ^ Jump up to: a b WV Constitution article VII, § 1.
  10. ^ WV 1863 Constitution article V, § 1.
  11. ^ Jump up to: a b WV Constitution, Article VII, section 4.
  12. ^ Jump up to: a b WV Constitution article VII, § 16.
  13. ^ Jump up to: a b "H.B. 4781 (Enrolled March 11, 2009)". West Virginia Legislature, 2000 Sessions. Retrieved August 16, 2009.
  14. ^ Jump up to: a b "Boreman, Arthur Ingram". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Clerk of the United States House of Representatives and Historian of the United States Senate. Retrieved August 16, 2009.
  15. ^ "Arthur Ingram Boreman". Charleston, West Virginia: West Virginia Division of Culture and History. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  16. ^ "West Virginia Governor Daniel Duane Tompkins Farnsworth". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on January 9, 2011. Retrieved August 18, 2009.
  17. ^ "West Virginia Governor Emanuel Willis Wilson". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on October 20, 2009. Retrieved August 18, 2009.
  18. ^ "Emanuel Willis Wilson". Charleston, West Virginia: West Virginia Division of Culture and History. Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  19. ^ "Aretas Brooks Fleming". Charleston, West Virginia: West Virginia Division of Culture and History. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  20. ^ Acting from November 15, 2010 to November 13, 2011
  21. ^ "Tomblin succeeds Manchin as West Virginia governor". Washington Post. November 15, 2010. Retrieved November 17, 2010.[dead link]
  22. ^ "Atkinson, George Wesley". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Clerk of the United States House of Representatives and Historian of the United States Senate. Retrieved August 16, 2009.
  23. ^ "Hatfield, Henry Drury – Biographical Directory of the United States Congress". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives and Historian of the United States Senate. Retrieved August 16, 2009.
  24. ^ "Neely, Matthew Mansfield". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Clerk of the United States House of Representatives and Historian of the United States Senate. Retrieved August 16, 2009.
  25. ^ "Moore, Arch Alfred, Jr". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Clerk of the United States House of Representatives and Historian of the United States Senate. Retrieved August 16, 2009.
  26. ^ "Rockefeller, John Davison IV (Jay)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Clerk of the United States House of Representatives and Historian of the United States Senate. Retrieved August 16, 2009.
  27. ^ "Wise, Robert Ellsworth, Jr". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Clerk of the United States House of Representatives and Historian of the United States Senate. Retrieved August 18, 2009.
  28. ^ "Dems keep key Senate seat with Manchin win in WV". Houston Chronicle. November 2, 2010. Archived from the original on November 7, 2010. Retrieved November 3, 2010.
  29. ^ "Former Gov. Cecil Underwood has died at 86". Charleston Daily Mail. November 24, 2008. Archived from the original on April 7, 2010. Retrieved August 12, 2009.
General
Constitutions

External links[]

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