List of Governors of Alabama
Encyclopedia
The Governor of Alabama is the chief executive
of the U.S. state
of Alabama
. The governor
is the head of the executive branch of Alabama's state government
and is charged with enforcing state laws. The governor has the power to either approve or veto
bills passed by the Alabama Legislature
, to convene the legislature, and to grant pardon
s, except in cases of impeachment
. The governor is also the commander-in-chief
of the state's
military forces
.
There have officially been 53 governors of the state of Alabama; this official numbering skips acting and military governors. In addition, the first governor, William Wyatt Bibb
, served as the only governor of Alabama Territory
. Five people have served as acting governor, bringing the total number of people serving as governor to 58, spread over 63 distinct terms. Four governors have served multiple non-consecutive terms: Bibb Graves
, Jim Folsom
, and Fob James
each served two, and George Wallace
served three non-consecutive periods. Officially, these non-consecutive terms are numbered only with the number of their first term. William D. Jelks
also served non-consecutive terms, but his first term was in an acting capacity. The longest-serving governor was George Wallace, who served sixteen years over four terms. The shortest term for a non-acting governor was that of Hugh McVay
, who served four and a half months after replacing the resigning Clement Comer Clay
. Lurleen Wallace
, wife of George Wallace, was the first and so far only woman to serve as governor of Alabama, and the third woman to serve as governor of any state. The current governor is Republican Robert J. Bentley, who took office on January 17, 2011.
Alabama Territory
was formed on March 3, 1817 from Mississippi Territory
. It had only one governor appointed by the President of the United States
before it became a state; he became the first state governor.
on January 11, 1861 and was a founding member of the Confederate States of America
on February 4, 1861; there was no Union government in exile, so there was a single line of governors. Following the end of the American Civil War
during Reconstruction, it was part of the Third Military District
, which exerted some control over governor appointments and elections. Alabama was readmitted to the Union on July 14, 1868.
The first Alabama Constitution
, ratified in 1819, provided that a governor be elected every two years, limited to serve no more than four out of every six years. This limit remained in place until the constitution of 1868, which simply allowed governors to serve terms of two years. The current constitution of 1901 increased terms to four years, but prohibited governors from succeeding themselves. Amendment 282 to the constitution, passed in 1968, allowed governors to succeed themselves once. The constitution had no set date for the commencement of a governor's term until 1901, when it was set at the first Monday after the second Tuesday in the January following an election.
The office of lieutenant governor was created in 1868, abolished in 1875, and recreated in 1901. According to the current constitution, should the governor be out of the state for more than 20 days, the lieutenant governor becomes acting governor
, and if the office of governor becomes vacant the lieutenant governor fully becomes governor. Earlier constitutions said the powers of the governor devolved upon the successor, rather than them necessarily becoming governor, but the official listing includes these as full governors. The governor and lieutenant governor are not elected on the same ticket
.
Alabama was a strongly Democratic
state before the Civil War, electing only candidates from the Democratic-Republican and Democratic parties. It had two Republican
governors following Reconstruction, but after the Democratic Party re-established control, 112 years passed before voters chose another Republican.
offices. All but three were elected to the U.S. Congress
, although one of those represented only Georgia
. The remaining three served in the confederate government, two as members of the Provisional Confederate Congress
, and one was the Confederate States Attorney General
. One governor served as Minister to Russia. Two governors (marked with *) resigned to take seats in the Senate, and two (marked with ) resigned their positions to take office as governor.
Additionally, two governors were elected to the U.S. Senate
shortly after the American Civil War
, but were did not take office: Lewis E. Parsons was refused his seat because Alabama had not yet been reconstructed, and John A. Winston would not take the oath of allegiance.
All representatives and senators listed represented Alabama except where noted.
(1987–1993), who died on January 30, 2009.
Head of government
Head of government is the chief officer of the executive branch of a government, often presiding over a cabinet. In a parliamentary system, the head of government is often styled prime minister, chief minister, premier, etc...
of the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
. The governor
Governor (United States)
In the United States, the title governor refers to the chief executive of each state or insular territory, not directly subordinate to the federal authorities, but the political and ceremonial head of the state.-Role and powers:...
is the head of the executive branch of Alabama's state government
Government of Alabama
The government of Alabama is organized under the provisions of the 1901 Constitution of Alabama, which is the lengthiest constitution of any political entity in the world...
and is charged with enforcing state laws. The governor has the power to either approve or veto
Veto
A veto, Latin for "I forbid", is the power of an officer of the state to unilaterally stop an official action, especially enactment of a piece of legislation...
bills passed by the Alabama Legislature
Alabama Legislature
The Alabama Legislature is the legislative branch of the state government of Alabama. It is a bicameral body composed of the Alabama House of Representatives, with 105 members, and the Alabama Senate, with 35 members...
, to convene the legislature, and to grant pardon
Pardon
Clemency means the forgiveness of a crime or the cancellation of the penalty associated with it. It is a general concept that encompasses several related procedures: pardoning, commutation, remission and reprieves...
s, except in cases of impeachment
Impeachment
Impeachment is a formal process in which an official is accused of unlawful activity, the outcome of which, depending on the country, may include the removal of that official from office as well as other punishment....
. The governor is also the commander-in-chief
Commander-in-Chief
A commander-in-chief is the commander of a nation's military forces or significant element of those forces. In the latter case, the force element may be defined as those forces within a particular region or those forces which are associated by function. As a practical term it refers to the military...
of the state's
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
military forces
Alabama National Guard
The Alabama National Guard comprises both Army and Air components. The Guard is part of the Alabama Military Department, seemingly overseen by the Adjutant General of Alabama....
.
There have officially been 53 governors of the state of Alabama; this official numbering skips acting and military governors. In addition, the first governor, William Wyatt Bibb
William Wyatt Bibb
William Wyatt Bibb was a United States Senator from Georgia and the first Governor of the U.S. state of Alabama. Bibb County, Alabama, and Bibb County, Georgia, are named for him....
, served as the only governor of Alabama Territory
Alabama Territory
The Territory of Alabama was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from August 15, 1817, until December 14, 1819, when it was admitted to the Union as the State of Alabama.-History:...
. Five people have served as acting governor, bringing the total number of people serving as governor to 58, spread over 63 distinct terms. Four governors have served multiple non-consecutive terms: Bibb Graves
Bibb Graves
David Bibb Graves was a Democratic politician and the 38th Governor of Alabama 1927-1931 and 1935–1939, the first Alabama governor to serve two four-year terms.-Early life:...
, Jim Folsom
Jim Folsom
James Elisha Folsom, Sr. , commonly known as Jim Folsom or "Big Jim", was the 42nd Governor of the U.S. state of Alabama from 1947 to 1951, and again from 1955 to 1959. Born in Coffee County, Alabama, Folsom is perhaps best remembered as being among the first Southern governors to embrace...
, and Fob James
Fob James
Forrest Hood James, Jr., known as Fob James , is an American politician, a civil engineer, and an all-American half-back...
each served two, and George Wallace
George Wallace
George Corley Wallace, Jr. was the 45th Governor of Alabama, serving four terms: 1963–1967, 1971–1979 and 1983–1987. "The most influential loser" in 20th-century U.S. politics, according to biographers Dan T. Carter and Stephan Lesher, he ran for U.S...
served three non-consecutive periods. Officially, these non-consecutive terms are numbered only with the number of their first term. William D. Jelks
William D. Jelks
William Dorsey Jelks was an American Democratic politician who was the 32nd Governor of Alabama from 1901 to 1907. He also served as acting governor between 1 December and 26 December 1900 when governor William J...
also served non-consecutive terms, but his first term was in an acting capacity. The longest-serving governor was George Wallace, who served sixteen years over four terms. The shortest term for a non-acting governor was that of Hugh McVay
Hugh McVay
Hugh McVay was the ninth Governor of the U.S. state of Alabama from July 17 to November 22, 1837. He was president of the state senate when Governor Clement C. Clay was appointed to the United States Senate, and became governor when Clay resigned.-References:...
, who served four and a half months after replacing the resigning Clement Comer Clay
Clement Comer Clay
Clement Comer Clay was the eighth Governor of the U.S. state of Alabama from 1835 to 1837.Clay was born in Halifax County, Virginia. His father, William Clay, was an officer in the American Revolutionary War, who moved to Grainger County, Tennessee, after the war. Clay attended public schools and...
. Lurleen Wallace
Lurleen Wallace
Lurleen Brigham Wallace , born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, was the 46th Governor of Alabama from 1967 until her death in 1968. She was the first wife of Alabama Governor George Wallace, whom she succeeded as governor. She succeeded her husband as he was forbidden by Alabama law to succeed himself. She...
, wife of George Wallace, was the first and so far only woman to serve as governor of Alabama, and the third woman to serve as governor of any state. The current governor is Republican Robert J. Bentley, who took office on January 17, 2011.
Governor of the Territory of Alabama
- For the period before Alabama Territory was formed, see the list of Governors of Mississippi Territory.
Alabama Territory
Alabama Territory
The Territory of Alabama was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from August 15, 1817, until December 14, 1819, when it was admitted to the Union as the State of Alabama.-History:...
was formed on March 3, 1817 from Mississippi Territory
Mississippi Territory
The Territory of Mississippi was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from April 7, 1798, until December 10, 1817, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the state of Mississippi....
. It had only one governor appointed by the President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
before it became a state; he became the first state governor.
| Picture | Governor | Took office | Left office | Appointed by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
William Wyatt Bibb William Wyatt Bibb William Wyatt Bibb was a United States Senator from Georgia and the first Governor of the U.S. state of Alabama. Bibb County, Alabama, and Bibb County, Georgia, are named for him.... |
March 6, 1817 | December 14, 1819 | James Monroe James Monroe James Monroe was the fifth President of the United States . Monroe was the last president who was a Founding Father of the United States, and the last president from the Virginia dynasty and the Republican Generation... |
Governors of the State of Alabama
Alabama was admitted to the Union on December 14, 1819. It seceded from the UnionUnion (American Civil War)
During the American Civil War, the Union was a name used to refer to the federal government of the United States, which was supported by the twenty free states and five border slave states. It was opposed by 11 southern slave states that had declared a secession to join together to form the...
on January 11, 1861 and was a founding member of the Confederate States of America
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
on February 4, 1861; there was no Union government in exile, so there was a single line of governors. Following the end of the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
during Reconstruction, it was part of the Third Military District
Third Military District
The Third Military District existed in the American South during the Reconstruction era that followed the American Civil War. It comprises Georgia, Florida and Alabama and was headquartered in Atlanta....
, which exerted some control over governor appointments and elections. Alabama was readmitted to the Union on July 14, 1868.
The first Alabama Constitution
Alabama Constitution
The Constitution of the State of Alabama is the basic governing document of the U.S. state of Alabama. It was adopted in 1901 and is the sixth constitution that the state has had....
, ratified in 1819, provided that a governor be elected every two years, limited to serve no more than four out of every six years. This limit remained in place until the constitution of 1868, which simply allowed governors to serve terms of two years. The current constitution of 1901 increased terms to four years, but prohibited governors from succeeding themselves. Amendment 282 to the constitution, passed in 1968, allowed governors to succeed themselves once. The constitution had no set date for the commencement of a governor's term until 1901, when it was set at the first Monday after the second Tuesday in the January following an election.
The office of lieutenant governor was created in 1868, abolished in 1875, and recreated in 1901. According to the current constitution, should the governor be out of the state for more than 20 days, the lieutenant governor becomes acting governor
Acting governor
An acting governor is a constitutional position created in some U.S. states when the governor dies in office or resigns. In some states, the governor may also be declared to be incapacitated and unable to function for various reasons, including illness and absence from the state for more than a...
, and if the office of governor becomes vacant the lieutenant governor fully becomes governor. Earlier constitutions said the powers of the governor devolved upon the successor, rather than them necessarily becoming governor, but the official listing includes these as full governors. The governor and lieutenant governor are not elected on the same ticket
Ticket (election)
A ticket refers to a single election choice which fills more than one political office or seat. For example, in the U.S., the candidates for President and Vice President run on the same "ticket", because they are elected together on a single ballot question rather than separately.A ticket can also...
.
Alabama was a strongly Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
state before the Civil War, electing only candidates from the Democratic-Republican and Democratic parties. It had two Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
governors following Reconstruction, but after the Democratic Party re-established control, 112 years passed before voters chose another Republican.
| #Repeat governors are officially numbered only once; subsequent terms are marked with their original number italicized. | Governor | Term start | Term end | Party | Lt. GovernorLieutenant governors represented the same party as their governor unless noted. | TermsThe fractional terms of some governors are not to be understood absolutely literally; rather, they are meant to show single terms during which multiple governors served, due to resignations, deaths and the like. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | William Wyatt Bibb William Wyatt Bibb William Wyatt Bibb was a United States Senator from Georgia and the first Governor of the U.S. state of Alabama. Bibb County, Alabama, and Bibb County, Georgia, are named for him.... |
December 14, 1819 | July 10, 1820 | Democratic- Republican |
None | Died in office. | ||
| 2 | Thomas Bibb Thomas Bibb Thomas Bibb was the second Governor of the U.S. state of Alabama from 1820 to 1821. He was born in Amelia County, Virginia in 1783. He was president of the Alabama Senate when his brother, Governor William Wyatt Bibb, died in office on July 10, 1820, and took over as governor for the remainder of... |
July 10, 1820 | November 9, 1821 | Democratic- Republican |
As president of the state senate, filled unexpired term. | |||
| 3 | Israel Pickens Israel Pickens Israel Pickens was an American politician and lawyer, third Governor of the U.S. state of Alabama , member of the North Carolina Senate , and North Carolina Congressman in the United States House of Representatives .Born in Concord, North Carolina, Pickens graduated from Jefferson College Israel... |
November 9, 1821 | November 25, 1825 | Democratic- Republican |
2 | |||
| 4 | John Murphy John Murphy (Alabama) John Murphy was the fourth Governor of the U.S. state of Alabama, serving two terms from 1825 to 1829. Born in 1786 in Columbia, North Carolina, he also represented Alabama in the United States House of Representatives from 1833 to 1835.Under date of April 2, 1834, John Quincy Adams records in his... |
November 25, 1825 | November 25, 1829 | Jackson Democrat Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous... |
2 | |||
| 5 | Gabriel Moore Gabriel Moore Gabriel Moore was a Democratic-Republican politician from Alabama, born in Stokes County, North Carolina. Moore's most prominent role was as fifth Governor of the US state of Alabama from 1829 to 1831; he also was the second Representative of the state of Alabama, and the first Representative of... |
November 25, 1829 | March 3, 1831 | Jackson Democrat |
Resigned to take an elected seat in the United States Senate United States Senate The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each... . |
|||
| 6 | Samuel B. Moore Samuel B. Moore Samuel B. Moore was the sixth Governor of the U.S. state of Alabama from March 3 to November 26, 1831. He was president of the Alabama Senate when Governor Gabriel Moore was elected to the United States Senate, and so became governor when Gabriel Moore resigned to take the seat.Samuel Moore was... |
March 3, 1831 | November 26, 1831 | Democratic Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous... |
||||
| 7 | John Gayle | November 26, 1831 | November 21, 1835 | Democratic | 2 | |||
| 8 | Clement Comer Clay Clement Comer Clay Clement Comer Clay was the eighth Governor of the U.S. state of Alabama from 1835 to 1837.Clay was born in Halifax County, Virginia. His father, William Clay, was an officer in the American Revolutionary War, who moved to Grainger County, Tennessee, after the war. Clay attended public schools and... |
November 21, 1835 | July 17, 1837 | Democratic | ||||
| 9 | Hugh McVay Hugh McVay Hugh McVay was the ninth Governor of the U.S. state of Alabama from July 17 to November 22, 1837. He was president of the state senate when Governor Clement C. Clay was appointed to the United States Senate, and became governor when Clay resigned.-References:... |
July 17, 1837 | November 30, 1837 | Democratic | ||||
| 10 | Arthur P. Bagby Arthur P. Bagby Arthur Pendleton Bagby was the tenth Governor of the U.S. state of Alabama from 1837 to 1841. Born in Louisa County, Virginia in 1794, he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1819, practicing in Claiborne, Alabama... |
November 30, 1837 | November 22, 1841 | Democratic | 2 | |||
| 11 | Benjamin Fitzpatrick Benjamin Fitzpatrick Benjamin Fitzpatrick was an American politician, who served as the 11th Governor of the U.S. state of Alabama and as United States Senator from Alabama as a Democrat.... |
November 22, 1841 | December 10, 1845 | Democratic | 2 | |||
| 12 | Joshua L. Martin Joshua L. Martin Joshua Lanier Martin was an American Democratic Party politician who served as the 12th Governor of the U.S. state of Alabama from 1845 to 1847. He was born on 5 December 1799 in Blount County, Tennessee. He taught school during his young years and studied law in Maryville, Tennessee; then moved... |
December 10, 1845 | December 16, 1847 | Independent | 1 | |||
| 13 | Reuben Chapman Reuben Chapman Reuben Chapman was an American lawyer and politician. Born in 1799 in Bowling Green, Virginia, he represented Alabama in the U.S. House from 1835 to 1847 and served as the 13th Governor of the U.S. state of Alabama from 1847 to 1849. He died in Huntsville, Alabama in 1882.-External links:**... |
December 16, 1847 | December 17, 1849 | Democratic | 1 | |||
| 14 | Henry W. Collier Henry W. Collier Henry Watkins Collier was the 14th Governor of the U.S. state of Alabama from 1849 to 1853. He was born in Lunenburg County, Virginia.-References:*... |
December 17, 1849 | December 20, 1853 | Democratic | 2 | |||
| 15 | John A. Winston John A. Winston John Anthony Winston was the 15th Governor of the U.S. state of Alabama from 1853 to 1857. He was born in 1812 in Madison County, Alabama and became the first native born governor of Alabama. He was a son of William Winston and Mary Cooper of Tuscumbia Alabama... |
December 20, 1853 | December 1, 1857 | Democratic | 2 | |||
| 16 | Andrew B. Moore Andrew B. Moore Andrew Barry Moore was the 16th Governor of the U.S. state of Alabama from 1857 to 1861, and served as Governor at the outbreak of the American Civil War.... |
December 1, 1857 | December 2, 1861 | Democratic | 2 | |||
| 17 | John Gill Shorter John Gill Shorter John Gill Shorter was the 17th Governor of the U.S. state of Alabama from 1861 to 1863, during the Civil War.Shorter, an attorney, was born in 1818 in Monticello, Georgia and died in 1872 in Eufaula, Alabama.-References:... |
December 2, 1861 | December 1, 1863 | Democratic | 1 | |||
| 18 | Thomas H. Watts Thomas H. Watts Thomas Hill Watts was the 18th Governor of the U.S. state of Alabama from 1863 to 1865, during the Civil War.... |
December 1, 1863 | May 1, 1865 | Democratic | ||||
| 19 | Lewis E. Parsons Lewis E. Parsons Lewis Eliphalet Parsons was the appointed provisional and 19th Governor of Alabama from June to December, 1865, following the American Civil War.... |
June 21, 1865 | December 13, 1865 | Democratic | ||||
| 20 | Robert M. Patton Robert M. Patton Robert Miller Patton was the 20th Governor of the U.S. state of Alabama from 1865 to 1867.Patton was born July 10, 1809, in Russell County, Virginia. His family moved to Huntsville, Alabama, in 1818 where Patton attended Green Academy. Patton apprenticed in the family cotton mill founded by his... |
December 13, 1865 | July 24, 1868 | Democratic | 1 | |||
| — | Wager Swayne Wager Swayne Wager Swayne was a Union Army general during the American Civil War who received America's highest military decoration the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Second Battle of Corinth... |
March 2, 1867 | July 14, 1868 | Military | — | |||
| 21 | William Hugh Smith William Hugh Smith William Hugh Smith was the first Republican and the 21st Governor of the U.S. state of Alabama, serving from 1868 to 1870 during the period of military reconstruction. A former slave owner, he opposed secession from the union on the grounds it would imperil slave property... |
July 24, 1868 | November 26, 1870 | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
None | 1 | ||
| Andrew J. Applegate Andrew J. Applegate Andrew J. Applegate was the first Lieutenant Governor of Alabama. A Republican, Applegate served Governor William H. Smith of the same political party, from 1868-1870.... |
||||||||
| 22 | Robert B. Lindsay Robert B. Lindsay Robert Burns Lindsay was the 22nd Governor of the U.S. state of Alabama from 1870 to 1872.... |
November 26, 1870 | November 17, 1872 | Democratic | Edward H. Moren Edward H. Moren Edward Hawthorne Moren was the second Lieutenant Governor of Alabama. A democrat, Moren served Governor Robert Burns Lindsay of the same political party, from 1870 to 1872.... |
1 | ||
| 23 | David P. Lewis David P. Lewis David Peter Lewis was the 23rd Governor of the U.S. state of Alabama from 1872 to 1874. After his term was over, a Republican would not be elected Governor of Alabama for 119 years.He had previously been a delegate to the Confederate Provisional Congress in 1861. In 1868 he was a delegate to the... |
November 17, 1872 | November 24, 1874 | Republican | Alexander McKinstry Alexander McKinstry Alexander McKinstry was the third Lieutenant Governor of Alabama. A Republican, McKinstry served under Governor David P. Lewis of the same political party from 1872-1874.... |
1 | ||
| 24 | George S. Houston George S. Houston George Smith Houston was an American Democratic politician who was the 24th Governor of Alabama from 1874 to 1878.... |
November 24, 1874 | November 28, 1878 | Democratic | Robert F. Ligon Robert F. Ligon Robert Fulwood Ligon was the fourth Lieutenant Governor of Alabama. A Democrat, Ligon served Governor George S. Houston of the same political party from 1874 to 1876. Ligon also served in the United States House of Representatives.The son of Robert and Wilhelmina Ligon, Robert Ligon was born in... |
2 | ||
| None | ||||||||
| 25 | Rufus W. Cobb Rufus W. Cobb Rufus Willis Cobb was an American Democratic politician who was the 25th Governor of Alabama from 1878 to 1882.-Biography:... |
November 28, 1878 | December 1, 1882 | Democratic | None | 2 | ||
| 26 | Edward A. O'Neal | December 1, 1882 | December 1, 1886 | Democratic | 2 | |||
| 27 | Thomas Seay Thomas Seay Thomas Seay was an American Democratic politician who was the 27th Governor of Alabama from 1886 to 1890.Seay Hall at the Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University is named for him.... |
December 1, 1886 | December 1, 1890 | Democratic | 2 | |||
| 28 | Thomas G. Jones Thomas G. Jones Thomas Goode Jones was an American Democratic politician who was the 28th Governor of Alabama from 1890 to 1894. Born in 1844 in Macon, Georgia and died in 1914 in Montgomery, Alabama.... |
December 1, 1890 | December 1, 1894 | Democratic | 2 | |||
| 29 | William C. Oates William C. Oates William Calvin Oates was a Confederate colonel during the American Civil War, the 29th Governor of Alabama from 1894 to 1896, and a brigadier general in the U.S. Army during the Spanish–American War.... |
December 1, 1894 | December 1, 1896 | Democratic | 1 | |||
| 30 | Joseph F. Johnston Joseph F. Johnston Joseph Forney Johnston was an American Democratic politician and businessman who was the 30th Governor of Alabama from 1896 to 1900. He later served in the U.S. Senate from August 6, 1907 to his death on August 8, 1913... |
December 1, 1896 | December 1, 1900 | Democratic | 2 | |||
| — | William D. Jelks William D. Jelks William Dorsey Jelks was an American Democratic politician who was the 32nd Governor of Alabama from 1901 to 1907. He also served as acting governor between 1 December and 26 December 1900 when governor William J... |
December 1, 1900 | December 26, 1900 | Democratic | ||||
| 31 | William J. Samford William J. Samford William James Samford was an American Democratic politician who was the 31st Governor of Alabama from 1900 to 1901.... |
December 1, 1900 | June 11, 1901 | Democratic | ||||
| 32 | William D. Jelks William D. Jelks William Dorsey Jelks was an American Democratic politician who was the 32nd Governor of Alabama from 1901 to 1907. He also served as acting governor between 1 December and 26 December 1900 when governor William J... |
June 11, 1901 | January 14, 1907 | Democratic | None | As president of the state senate, filled unexpired term, and was subsequently elected in his own right.The 1901 constitution increased term lengths from two to four years; Jelks' first term was filling out Samford's two-year term, and he was elected in 1902 for a four-year term. | ||
| Russell M. Cunningham Russell McWhortor Cunningham Russell McWhortor Cunningham was an American Democratic politician who was the acting Governor of Alabama from April 25, 1904 to March 5, 1905. He was lieutenant governor when Governor William D... |
||||||||
| — | Russell M. Cunningham Russell McWhortor Cunningham Russell McWhortor Cunningham was an American Democratic politician who was the acting Governor of Alabama from April 25, 1904 to March 5, 1905. He was lieutenant governor when Governor William D... |
April 25, 1904 | March 5, 1905 | Democratic | Acting as governor | — | ||
| 33 | B. B. Comer B. B. Comer Braxton Bragg Comer was an American Democratic politician who was the 33rd Governor of Alabama from 1907 to 1911.-Early Life and Education:... |
January 14, 1907 | January 17, 1911 | Democratic | Henry B. Gray Henry B. Gray Henry Bramlette Gray was an American politician who served as the sixth Lieutenant Governor of Alabama from 1907 to 1911.-External links:* by the Alabama Department of Archives & History... |
1 | ||
| 34 | Emmet O'Neal Emmet O'Neal Emmet O'Neal was an American Democratic politician and lawyer who was the 34th Governor of Alabama from 1911 to 1915.... |
January 17, 1911 | January 18, 1915 | Democratic | Walter D. Seed, Sr. Walter D. Seed, Sr. Walter Dudley Seed, Sr. was an American politician who served as the seventh Lieutenant Governor of Alabama from 1911 to 1915.-External links:* by the Alabama Department of Archives & History... |
1 | ||
| 35 | Charles Henderson | January 18, 1915 | January 20, 1919 | Democratic | Thomas Kilby Thomas Kilby Thomas Erby Kilby, Sr. was an American Democratic politician.He was a mayor of Anniston, Alabama from 1905 to 1909, Alabama State Senator from 1911 to 1915, eighth Lieutenant Governor of Alabama from 1915 to 1919 and 36th Governor of Alabama from 1919 to 1923.In 1920, Kilby arbitrated the... |
1 | ||
| 36 | Thomas Kilby Thomas Kilby Thomas Erby Kilby, Sr. was an American Democratic politician.He was a mayor of Anniston, Alabama from 1905 to 1909, Alabama State Senator from 1911 to 1915, eighth Lieutenant Governor of Alabama from 1915 to 1919 and 36th Governor of Alabama from 1919 to 1923.In 1920, Kilby arbitrated the... |
January 20, 1919 | January 15, 1923 | Democratic | Nathan Lee Miller Nathan Lee Miller Nathan Lee Miller was the ninth Lieutenant Governor of Alabama. A Democrat, Miller served Governor Thomas Kilby of the same political party, from 1919-1923.... |
1 | ||
| 37 | William W. Brandon William W. Brandon William Woodward Brandon was an American Democratic politician who was the 37th Governor of Alabama from 1923 to 1927.- Biography :... |
January 15, 1923 | January 17, 1927 | Democratic | Charles S. McDowell | 1 | ||
| — | Charles S. McDowell | July 10, 1924 | July 11, 1924 | Democratic | Acting as governor | — | ||
| 38 | Bibb Graves Bibb Graves David Bibb Graves was a Democratic politician and the 38th Governor of Alabama 1927-1931 and 1935–1939, the first Alabama governor to serve two four-year terms.-Early life:... |
January 17, 1927 | January 19, 1931 | Democratic | William C. Davis | 1 | ||
| 39 | Benjamin M. Miller Benjamin M. Miller Benjamin Meek Miller was an American Democratic politician- Early life:Miller was born in Oak Hill, Wilcox County, Alabama, on March 13, 1864, to Rev. John Miller, D.D., and Sarah Pressly Miller. His father was pastor of the Bethel Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church at Oak Hill for 31 years... |
January 19, 1931 | January 14, 1935 | Democratic | Hugh Davis Merrill | 1 | ||
| 38 | Bibb Graves Bibb Graves David Bibb Graves was a Democratic politician and the 38th Governor of Alabama 1927-1931 and 1935–1939, the first Alabama governor to serve two four-year terms.-Early life:... |
January 14, 1935 | January 17, 1939 | Democratic | Thomas E. Knight Thomas E. Knight Thomas E. Knight, Jr. was an American lawyer and politician who served as the 13th Lieutenant Governor of Alabama from 1935 to 1937, as well as 19th Attorney General of Alabama from 1931 to 1935.... |
1 | ||
| 40 | Frank M. Dixon Frank M. Dixon Frank Murray Dixon was an American Democratic politician who was the 40th Governor of Alabama from 1939 to 1943. Born in Oakland, California in 1892, he died in Birmingham, Alabama in 1965. His interment was located in Birmingham's Oak Hill Cemetery.Dixon took part in World War I and served as an... |
January 17, 1939 | January 19, 1943 | Democratic | Albert A. Carmichael Albert A. Carmichael Albert Augustus Carmichael was an American politician who served as the 14th Lieutenant Governor of Alabama from 1939 to 1943.-External links:* by the Alabama Department of Archives & History... |
1 | ||
| 41 | Chauncey Sparks Chauncey Sparks George Chauncey Sparks , known as Chauncey Sparks, was a Democratic American politician who was 41st Governor of Alabama from 1943 to 1947. Alabama governors at the time could not serve consecutive terms so Sparks left office without seeking reelection... |
January 19, 1943 | January 20, 1947 | Democratic | Leven H. Ellis Leven H. Ellis Leven Handy Ellis was an American politician who served as the 15th Lieutenant Governor of Alabama from 1943 to 1947.-External links:* by the Alabama Department of Archives & History... |
1 | ||
| 42 | Jim Folsom Jim Folsom James Elisha Folsom, Sr. , commonly known as Jim Folsom or "Big Jim", was the 42nd Governor of the U.S. state of Alabama from 1947 to 1951, and again from 1955 to 1959. Born in Coffee County, Alabama, Folsom is perhaps best remembered as being among the first Southern governors to embrace... |
January 20, 1947 | January 15, 1951 | Democratic | James C. Inzer James C. Inzer James Clarence Inzer was an American politician who served as the 16th Lieutenant Governor of Alabama from 1947 to 1951.-External links:* by the Alabama Department of Archives & History... |
1 | ||
| 43 | Gordon Persons Gordon Persons Seth Gordon Persons was an American Democratic politician who was the 43rd Governor of Alabama from 1951 to 1955. He was born and died in Montgomery, Alabama. The Dauphin Island Bridge south of Mobile is formally named for him.Persons was an alumnus of Auburn University.-External links:*... |
January 15, 1951 | January 17, 1955 | Democratic | James Allen | 1 | ||
| 42 | Jim Folsom Jim Folsom James Elisha Folsom, Sr. , commonly known as Jim Folsom or "Big Jim", was the 42nd Governor of the U.S. state of Alabama from 1947 to 1951, and again from 1955 to 1959. Born in Coffee County, Alabama, Folsom is perhaps best remembered as being among the first Southern governors to embrace... |
January 17, 1955 | January 19, 1959 | Democratic | William G. Hardwick William G. Hardwick William Guy Hardwick was an American politician who served as the 18th Lieutenant Governor of Alabama from 1955 to 1959.-External links:* by the Alabama Department of Archives & History... |
1 | ||
| 44 | John M. Patterson John Malcolm Patterson John Malcolm Patterson is an American politician who was the 44th Governor of Alabama, from 1959 to 1963. Previously he served as State Attorney General .... |
January 19, 1959 | January 14, 1963 | Democratic | Albert Boutwell Albert Boutwell Albert Burton Boutwell was the 19th Lieutenant Governor of Alabama. A Democrat, Boutwell served Governor John Malcolm Patterson of the same political party, from 1959-1963.... |
1 | ||
| 45 | George Wallace George Wallace George Corley Wallace, Jr. was the 45th Governor of Alabama, serving four terms: 1963–1967, 1971–1979 and 1983–1987. "The most influential loser" in 20th-century U.S. politics, according to biographers Dan T. Carter and Stephan Lesher, he ran for U.S... |
January 14, 1963 | January 16, 1967 | Democratic | James Allen | 1 | ||
| 46 | Lurleen Wallace Lurleen Wallace Lurleen Brigham Wallace , born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, was the 46th Governor of Alabama from 1967 until her death in 1968. She was the first wife of Alabama Governor George Wallace, whom she succeeded as governor. She succeeded her husband as he was forbidden by Alabama law to succeed himself. She... |
January 16, 1967 | May 7, 1968 | Democratic | Albert Brewer Albert Brewer Albert Preston Brewer is an American politician who was the 47th Governor of Alabama from May 7, 1968 until January 18, 1971.-Life and political career:... |
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| 47 | Albert Brewer Albert Brewer Albert Preston Brewer is an American politician who was the 47th Governor of Alabama from May 7, 1968 until January 18, 1971.-Life and political career:... |
May 7, 1968 | January 18, 1971 | Democratic | Vacant | As lieutenant governor, filled unexpired term. | ||
| 45 | George Wallace George Wallace George Corley Wallace, Jr. was the 45th Governor of Alabama, serving four terms: 1963–1967, 1971–1979 and 1983–1987. "The most influential loser" in 20th-century U.S. politics, according to biographers Dan T. Carter and Stephan Lesher, he ran for U.S... |
January 18, 1971 | January 15, 1979 | Democratic | Jere Beasley | 2 | ||
| — | Jere Beasley | June 5, 1972 | July 7, 1972 | Democratic | Acting as governor | — | ||
| 48 | Fob James Fob James Forrest Hood James, Jr., known as Fob James , is an American politician, a civil engineer, and an all-American half-back... |
January 15, 1979 | January 17, 1983 | Democratic | George McMillan George McMillan George Duncan Hastie McMillan, Jr. is an American Democratic politician who served as the 23rd Lieutenant Governor of Alabama from 1979 to 1983. In 1989 he founded the City Stages music festival in downtown Birmingham, Alabama.... |
1 | ||
| 45 | George Wallace George Wallace George Corley Wallace, Jr. was the 45th Governor of Alabama, serving four terms: 1963–1967, 1971–1979 and 1983–1987. "The most influential loser" in 20th-century U.S. politics, according to biographers Dan T. Carter and Stephan Lesher, he ran for U.S... |
January 17, 1983 | January 19, 1987 | Democratic | Bill Baxley Bill Baxley William Joseph Baxley II is an American Democratic politician and attorney.He was born in Dothan, Alabama and attended law school at the University of Alabama, graduating in 1964. He served two terms as Attorney General of Alabama, from 1971–1979; at the age of 27, he was the youngest to hold that... |
1 | ||
| 49 | H. Guy Hunt H. Guy Hunt Harold Guy Hunt was an American politician who served as the 49th Governor of Alabama from 1987 to 1993. He was the first Republican to serve as governor of the state since Reconstruction.- Early life :... |
January 19, 1987 | April 22, 1993 | Republican | Jim Folsom, Jr. Jim Folsom, Jr. James Elisha Folsom, Jr. is an American Democratic politician who was the 50th Governor of Alabama from April 22, 1993 to January 16, 1995.-Early life and career:... Represented the Democratic Party Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous... . |
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| 50 | Jim Folsom, Jr. Jim Folsom, Jr. James Elisha Folsom, Jr. is an American Democratic politician who was the 50th Governor of Alabama from April 22, 1993 to January 16, 1995.-Early life and career:... |
April 22, 1993 | January 16, 1995 | Democratic | Vacant | |||
| 48 | Fob James Fob James Forrest Hood James, Jr., known as Fob James , is an American politician, a civil engineer, and an all-American half-back... |
January 16, 1995 | January 18, 1999 | Republican | Don Siegelman Don Siegelman Don Eugene Siegelman is an American Democratic Party politician who held numerous offices in Alabama. He was the 51st Governor of Alabama for one term from 1999 to 2003... |
1 | ||
| 51 | Don Siegelman Don Siegelman Don Eugene Siegelman is an American Democratic Party politician who held numerous offices in Alabama. He was the 51st Governor of Alabama for one term from 1999 to 2003... |
January 18, 1999 | January 20, 2003 | Democratic | Steve Windom Steve Windom Stephen Ralph Windom is an American politician who served as a Senator in the Alabama State Senate from 1989 to 1998 and as the 27th Lieutenant Governor of Alabama from 1999 to 2003.... Represented the Republican Party Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... . |
1 | ||
| 52 | Bob Riley Bob Riley Bob Riley may refer to:* Bob Riley, 52nd Governor of Alabama* Bob C. Riley, acting Governor of Arkansas for 11 days in 1975* Bob Riley , sports car designer and founder of Riley Technologies... |
January 20, 2003 | January 17, 2011 | Republican | Lucy Baxley Lucy Baxley Lucy Baxley served as the 28th Lieutenant Governor of Alabama, from 2003 to 2007 and was the Democratic candidate for Governor in 2006. Though Alabama has had a female governor, Baxley is the first woman to hold the state's office of lieutenant governor.-Personal:Baxley was born in 1937 near... |
2 | ||
| Jim Folsom, Jr. Jim Folsom, Jr. James Elisha Folsom, Jr. is an American Democratic politician who was the 50th Governor of Alabama from April 22, 1993 to January 16, 1995.-Early life and career:... |
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| 53 | Robert J. Bentley | January 17, 2011 | Incumbent | Republican | Kay Ivey Kay Ivey Kay Ellen Ivey is a Republican politician and formerly served as the 38th Alabama State Treasurer. Ivey is the 30th and current Lieutenant Governor of Alabama, since January 2011.-Early life, education, and early political career:... |
1Governor Bentley's first term expires January 19, 2015; he is not yet term limit Term limit A term limit is a legal restriction that limits the number of terms a person may serve in a particular elected office. When term limits are found in presidential and semi-presidential systems they act as a method to curb the potential for monopoly, where a leader effectively becomes "president for... ed. |
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Other high offices held
Eighteen of Alabama's governors have served higher federal or confederateConfederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
offices. All but three were elected to the U.S. Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
, although one of those represented only Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. The remaining three served in the confederate government, two as members of the Provisional Confederate Congress
Provisional Confederate Congress
The Provisional Confederate Congress, for a time the legislative branch of the Confederate States of America, was the body which drafted the Confederate Constitution, elected Jefferson Davis President of the Confederacy, and designed the first Confederate flag...
, and one was the Confederate States Attorney General
Confederate States Attorney General
The Attorney General of the Confederate States of America was a member of the Confederate cabinet. His duties were exactly the same as the duties of the United States Attorney General.-List:# Judah P. Benjamin # Wade Keyes...
. One governor served as Minister to Russia. Two governors (marked with *) resigned to take seats in the Senate, and two (marked with ) resigned their positions to take office as governor.
Additionally, two governors were elected to the U.S. Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
shortly after the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, but were did not take office: Lewis E. Parsons was refused his seat because Alabama had not yet been reconstructed, and John A. Winston would not take the oath of allegiance.
All representatives and senators listed represented Alabama except where noted.
| Governor | Gubernatorial term | Other offices held | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1817–1820 | Representative and Senator from Georgia Georgia (U.S. state) Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788... |
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| 1821–1825 | Representative from North Carolina North Carolina North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte... , Senator |
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| 1825–1829 | Representative | ||
| 1829–1831 | Representative, Senator* | ||
| 1831–1835 | Representative | ||
| 1835–1837 | Representative, Senator* | ||
| 1837–1841 | Senator, Minister to Russia | ||
| 1841–1845 | Senator (including as President pro tempore President pro tempore of the United States Senate The President pro tempore is the second-highest-ranking official of the United States Senate. The United States Constitution states that the Vice President of the United States is the President of the Senate and the highest-ranking official of the Senate despite not being a member of the body... ) |
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| 1845–1847 | Representative | ||
| 1847–1849 | Representative | ||
| 1853–1857 | Elected to the Senate but was refused his seat | ||
| 1861–1863 | Provisional Confederate Deputy Provisional Confederate Congress The Provisional Confederate Congress, for a time the legislative branch of the Confederate States of America, was the body which drafted the Confederate Constitution, elected Jefferson Davis President of the Confederacy, and designed the first Confederate flag... |
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| 1863–1865 | Confederate States Attorney General Confederate States Attorney General The Attorney General of the Confederate States of America was a member of the Confederate cabinet. His duties were exactly the same as the duties of the United States Attorney General.-List:# Judah P. Benjamin # Wade Keyes... |
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| 1865 | Elected to the Senate but was refused his seat | ||
| 1872–1874 | Provisional Confederate Deputy Provisional Confederate Congress The Provisional Confederate Congress, for a time the legislative branch of the Confederate States of America, was the body which drafted the Confederate Constitution, elected Jefferson Davis President of the Confederacy, and designed the first Confederate flag... |
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| 1874–1878 | Representative, Senator | ||
| 1896–1900 | Senator | ||
| 1900–1901 | Representative | ||
| 1907–1911 | Senator | ||
| 2003–2011 | Representative |
Living former governors
, seven former governors were alive. The most recent death of a former governor was that of H. Guy HuntH. Guy Hunt
Harold Guy Hunt was an American politician who served as the 49th Governor of Alabama from 1987 to 1993. He was the first Republican to serve as governor of the state since Reconstruction.- Early life :...
(1987–1993), who died on January 30, 2009.
| Governor | Term of office | Date of birth |
|---|---|---|
| John M. Patterson John Malcolm Patterson John Malcolm Patterson is an American politician who was the 44th Governor of Alabama, from 1959 to 1963. Previously he served as State Attorney General .... |
1959–1963 | 27 September 1921 (age 90) |
| Albert Brewer Albert Brewer Albert Preston Brewer is an American politician who was the 47th Governor of Alabama from May 7, 1968 until January 18, 1971.-Life and political career:... |
1968–1971 | 26 October 1928 (age 83) |
| Jere Beasley | 1972 (acting) | 12 December 1935 (age 76) |
| Fob James Fob James Forrest Hood James, Jr., known as Fob James , is an American politician, a civil engineer, and an all-American half-back... |
1979–1983, 1995–1999 |
15 September 1934 (age 77) |
| Jim Folsom, Jr. Jim Folsom, Jr. James Elisha Folsom, Jr. is an American Democratic politician who was the 50th Governor of Alabama from April 22, 1993 to January 16, 1995.-Early life and career:... |
1993–1995 | 14 May 1949 (age 62) |
| Don Siegelman Don Siegelman Don Eugene Siegelman is an American Democratic Party politician who held numerous offices in Alabama. He was the 51st Governor of Alabama for one term from 1999 to 2003... |
1999–2003 | 24 February 1946 (age 65) |
| Bob Riley Bob Riley Bob Riley may refer to:* Bob Riley, 52nd Governor of Alabama* Bob C. Riley, acting Governor of Arkansas for 11 days in 1975* Bob Riley , sports car designer and founder of Riley Technologies... |
2003–2011 | 3 October 1944 (age 67) |