Kentucky Governors

Throughout the state's history, there have been 59 individuals who have served as governor across 63 distinct terms. Seven governors have resigned before the end of their terms. Six resigned to accept a higher political office, and only one resigned under duress due to political gridlock during the Civil War. Five died while in office

There has been one woman elected Governor.

Eight men have served more than one term in Kentucky history.

Non-consecutive terms (4): Isaac Shelby, John LaRue Helm, James B. McCreary, and A.B. "Happy" Chandler.

In 1992: Voters ratified a constitutional amendment on November 3, 1992, that updated Section 71 of the Kentucky Constitution to allow governors to seek a second consecutive four-year term. Before this change, governors were strictly limited to a single term and could not immediately run again

Consecutive terms (4): James Garrard (elected in 1796 and 1799), Paul E. Patton (elected in 1995 and 1999), Steve Beshear (elected in 2007 and 2011), and Andy Beshear (elected in 2019 and 2023).

The constitutional oath of office

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm, as the case may be) that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this Commonwealth, and be faithful and true to the Commonwealth of Kentucky so long as I continue a citizen thereof, and that I will faithfully execute, to the best of my ability, the office of Governor according to law; and I do further solemnly swear (or affirm) that since the adoption of the present Constitution, I, being a citizen of this State, have not fought a duel with deadly weapons within this State nor out of it, nor have I sent or accepted a challenge to fight a duel with deadly weapons, nor have I acted as second in carrying a challenge, nor aided or assisted any person thus offending, so help me God."

2019–Present, Andy Beshear, Democratic

2015–2019, Matt Bevin, Republican

2007-2015, Steve Beshear, Democratic

2003-2007, Ernie Fletcher, Republican

1995-2003, Paul E. Patton, Democratic

1991-1995, Brereton C. Jones, Democratic

1987-1991, Wallace G. Wilkinson, Democratic

1983-1987, Martha Layne Collins, Democratic

1979-1983, John Y. Brown Jr., Democratic

1974-1979 , Julian Carroll, Democratic

1971-1974, Wendell H. Ford, Democratic, Resigned: Left office early after being elected to the U.S. Senate.

1967-1971, Louie B. Nunn, Republican

1963-1967, Edward T. Breathitt, Democratic

1959-1963 ,Bert T. Combs, Democratic

1955-1959, Albert B. "Happy" Chandler (Second Term), Democratic

1950-1955, Lawrence W. Wetherby, Democratic

1947-1950, Earle C. Clements, Democratic, Resigned: Left office early after being elected to the U.S. Senate.

1943-1947, Simeon S. Willis, Republican

1939-1943, Keen Johnson, Democratic

1935-1939, Albert B. "Happy" Chandler (First Term), Democratic, Resigned: Resigned so his successor could appoint him to a vacant seat in the U.S. Senate following the death of Senator Marvel Mills Logan.

1931-1935, Ruby Laffoon, Democratic

1927-1931, Flem D. Sampson, Republican

1923-1927, William J. Fields, Democratic

1919-1923, Edwin P. Morrow, Republican

1919- James D. Black, Democratic, Filled vacancy caused by Stanley's move to the U.S. Senate

1915-1919, Augustus O. Stanley, Democratic, Resigned: Left office early after being elected to the U.S. Senate.

1911-1915, James B. McCreary (Second Term), Democratic

1907-1911, Augustus E. Willson, Republican

1900-1907, J. C. W. Beckham, Democratic, Filled vacancy caused by assassination of William Goebel and then was elected to a full term

1900, William Goebel, Democratic, Assassinated; served for just 3 days before passing away

1899-1900, William S. Taylor, Republican, Unseated by a contested election and legislative decree

1895-1899, William O. Bradley, Republican

1891-1895, John Young Brown, Democratic

1887-1891, Simon Bolivar Buckner, Democratic

1883-1887, J. Proctor Knott, Democratic

1879-1883, Luke P. Blackburn, Democratic

1875-1879, James B. McCreary, Democratic

1871-1875, Preston H. Leslie, Democratic

1867-1871, John W. Stevenson, Democratic, Resigned: Left office early after being elected to the U.S. Senate.

1867, John L. Helm (Second Term), Democratic, Died in office

1863-1867, Thomas E. Bramlette, Democratic

1862-1863, James F. Robinson, Democratic

1859-1862, Beriah Magoffin, Democratic, Resigned: A Confederate sympathizer during the Civil War, Magoffin's authority was completely stripped and gridlocked by a heavily pro-Union state legislature. He agreed to step down under duress on the condition that he could choose his successor (James F. Robinson).

1855-1859, Charles S. Morehead, American

1851-1855, Lazarus W. Powell, Democratic

1850-1851, John L. Helm, (First Term), Whig

1848-1850, John J. Crittenden, Whig, Resigned: Left office early to accept an appointment as the Attorney General of the United States under President Millard Fillmore.

1844-1848, William Owsley, Whig

1840-1844, Robert P. Letcher, Whig

1839-1840, Charles A. Wickliffe, Whig

1836-1839, James Clark, Whig, Died in office

1834-1836, James T. Morehead, Whig

1832-1834, John Breathitt, Jeffersonian-Republic Died in office

1828-1932, Thomas Metcalfe, Whig

1824-1828, Joseph Desha, Jeffersonian-Republic

1820-1824, John Adair, Democratic-Republican

1816-1820, Gabriel Slaughter, Democratic-Republican

1816, George Madison, Jeffersonian-Republic, Died in office

1812-1816, Isaac Shelby (Second Term), Jeffersonian-Republic

1808-1812, Charles Scott, Jeffersonian-Republic

1804-1808, Christopher Greenup, Jeffersonian-Republic

1796-1804, James Garrard, Jeffersonian-Republic

1792-1796, Isaac Shelby (First term), Jeffersonian-Republic

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