The Governor of Delaware is the head of the executive branch of Delaware

Delaware

Delaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania...

's government and the commander-in-chief 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

Delaware National Guard

The Delaware National Guard consists of the:*Delaware Army National Guard*Delaware Air National Guard-External links:* compiled by the United States Army Center of Military History*...

. 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:...

 has a duty to enforce state laws, and 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 Delaware Legislature, 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, and only with the recommendation of the Board of Pardons.

There have been 70 people who have served as governor, over 73 distinct terms. Additionally, Henry Molleston

Henry Molleston

Dr. Henry Molleston, III was an American physician and politician from Dover, in Kent County, Delaware. He was a member of the Federalist, who served in the Delaware General Assembly, and was elected Governor of Delaware, but died before taking office.-Early life and family:Molleston was born in...

 was elected, but died before he could take office. Only four governors have been elected to two consecutive terms, with the longest-serving being Ruth Ann Minner

Ruth Ann Minner

Ruth Ann Minner is an American politician and businesswoman from Milford, in Kent County, Delaware. She is a member of the Democratic Party who served in the Delaware General Assembly, as the 23rd Lieutenant Governor of Delaware and two terms as the first female Governor of Delaware.-Early life...

, who was elected twice after succeeding to the office, serving a total of just over eight years. The shortest term is that of Dale E. Wolf

Dale E. Wolf

Dale Edward Wolf is an American businessman and politician from Wilmington, in New Castle County, Delaware. He is veteran of World War II, and a member of the Republican Party, who served as the 22nd Lieutenant Governor of Delaware and the Governor of Delaware.-Early life and family:Wolf was born...

, who served 18 days following his predecessor's resignation; David P. Buckson

David P. Buckson

David Penrose Buckson is an American lawyer and politician from Camden, in Kent County, Delaware. He is a veteran of World War II and a member of the Republican Party, who served as the 15th Lieutenant Governor of Delaware, the 68th Governor of Delaware and the 37th Attorney General of...

 served 19 days under similar circumstances. The current governor is Jack Markell, who took office on January 20, 2009; his first term expires on January 15, 2013.

Governors

For the period before independence, see the List of colonial governors of Pennsylvania.

Delaware was one of the original Thirteen Colonies

Thirteen Colonies

The Thirteen Colonies were English and later British colonies established on the Atlantic coast of North America between 1607 and 1733. They declared their independence in the American Revolution and formed the United States of America...

 and was the first state to ratify the United States Constitution

United States Constitution

The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It is the framework for the organization of the United States government and for the relationship of the federal government with the states, citizens, and all people within the United States.The first three...

, on December 7, 1787. Before it declared its independence, Delaware was a colony

Delaware Colony

Delaware Colony in the North American Middle Colonies was a region of the Province of Pennsylvania although never legally a separate colony. From 1682 until 1776 it was part of the Penn proprietorship and was known as the lower counties...

 of the Kingdom of Great Britain

Kingdom of Great Britain

The former Kingdom of Great Britain, sometimes described as the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain', That the Two Kingdoms of Scotland and England, shall upon the 1st May next ensuing the date hereof, and forever after, be United into One Kingdom by the Name of GREAT BRITAIN. was a sovereign...

, known as the "Lower Counties on Delaware". This colony was administered by colonial governors in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...

.

The first state constitution

Delaware Constitution of 1776

The Delaware Constitution of 1776 was the first governing document for Delaware state government and was in effect from its adoption in September 1776 until replaced in 1792 by a new Constitution.-Background:...

, adopted in 1776 soon after independence, created the office of president, to be chosen by the legislature to serve a term of three years. The constitution of 1792

Delaware Constitution of 1792

The Delaware Constitution of 1792 was the second governing document for Delaware state government and was in effect from its adoption on June 12, 1792 until replaced on December 2, 1831 by a new Constitution....

 renamed the position to governor, set the commencement date of the term to the third Tuesday in the January following an election, and limited governors to serving only three out of any six years. The term was lengthened to four years by the 1831 constitution

Delaware Constitution of 1831

The Delaware Constitution of 1831 was the third governing document for Delaware state government and was in effect from its adoption on December 2, 1831 until replaced on June 4, 1897 by the present state Constitution....

, but governors were limited to a single term. The current constitution of 1897

Delaware Constitution of 1897

The Constitution of the State of Delaware of 1897 is the fourth and current governing document for Delaware state government and has been in effect since its adoption on June 4 of that year.-Executive:...

 allows governors to serve two terms.

The 1776 constitution stated that if the office of governor was vacant, the speaker of the legislative council would be a vice-president. The 1792 constitution has the speaker of the senate exercising the office if it is vacant, and the 1897 constitution created the office of lieutenant governor, upon whom the office devolves in case of vacancy. The offices of governor and lieutenant governor are elected at the same time but not 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...

.

#The official numbering includes repeat and acting governors.	GovernorThe highest office of Delaware was named president until 1792.		Term start	Term end	Party	Lt. Governor Lieutenant Governor of Delaware The Lieutenant Governor of Delaware is the second ranking executive officer of the U.S. state of Delaware. Lieutenant Governors are elected for a term of four years in the same general election as the U.S. President and take office the following January.... The office of lieutenant governor was created in the 1897 constitution, with the first election taking place in 1900.Lieutenant governors were members of the same party as the governor except where 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, because of resignations, deaths and the like.
1		John McKinly John McKinly Dr. John McKinly was an American physician and politician from Wilmington, in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a veteran of the French and Indian War, served in the Delaware General Assembly, was the first elected President of Delaware, and for a time was a member of the Federalist Party.-Early...	February 12, 1777	September 12, 1777	No parties	None
2		Thomas McKean Thomas McKean Thomas McKean was an American lawyer and politician from New Castle, in New Castle County, Delaware and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. During the American Revolution he was a delegate to the Continental Congress where he signed the United States Declaration of Independence and the Articles of...	September 22, 1777	October 20, 1777	No parties
3		George Read George Read (signer) George Read was an American lawyer and politician from New Castle in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, a Continental Congressman from Delaware, a delegate to the U.S. Constitutional Convention of 1787, President of Delaware, and a member of the...	October 20, 1777	March 31, 1778	No parties
4		Caesar Rodney Caesar Rodney Caesar Rodney was an American lawyer and politician from St. Jones Neck in Dover Hundred, Kent County, Delaware, east of Dover...	March 31, 1778	November 6, 1781	No parties			1
5		John Dickinson John Dickinson (delegate) John Dickinson was an American lawyer and politician from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Wilmington, Delaware. He was a militia officer during the American Revolution, a Continental Congressman from Pennsylvania and Delaware, a delegate to the U.S. Constitutional Convention of 1787, President of...	November 13, 1781	January 12, 1783	No parties			Resigned; was elected President of Pennsylvania and took office November 7, 1782, holding both presidencies simultaneously until his resignation.
6		John Cook John Cook (governor) John Cook was an American planter and politician from Smyrna, in Kent County, Delaware. He served in the Delaware General Assembly and as Governor of Delaware.-Early life and family:...	November 4, 1782	February 1, 1783	No parties			As Speaker of the Legislative Council, served as vice-president until a special election was held.
7		Nicholas Van Dyke Nicholas Van Dyke (governor) Nicholas Van Dyke was an American lawyer and politician from New Castle, in New Castle County, Delaware. He served in the Delaware General Assembly, as a Continental Congressman from Delaware, and as President of Delaware.-Early life and family:Van Dyke was born at Berwick, his family's home in St...	February 1, 1783	October 28, 1786	No parties			1
8		Thomas Collins Thomas Collins (governor) Thomas Collins was an American planter and politician from Smyrna, in Kent County, Delaware. He was an officer of the Delaware militia during the American Revolution, and served in the Delaware General Assembly and as President of Delaware.-Early life and family:Collins was born in Duck Creek, now...	October 28, 1786	March 29, 1789	No parties
9		Jehu Davis Jehu Davis John Davis was an American planter and politician from Mispillion Hundred, in Kent County, Delaware, west of Milford. He served in the Delaware General Assembly and as President of Delaware.-Early life and family:...	March 29, 1789	June 2, 1789	No parties
10		Joshua Clayton Joshua Clayton Dr. Joshua Clayton was an American physician and politician from Mt. Pleasant in Pencader Hundred, New Castle County, Delaware. He was an officer of the Continental Army in the American Revolution, and a member of the Federalist Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly, as Governor of...	June 2, 1789	January 19, 1796	Federalist			2Clayton served one term as president under the 1776 constitution, and was the first governor elected under the terms of the 1792 constitution.
11		Gunning Bedford, Sr. Gunning Bedford, Sr. Gunning Bedford, Sr. was an American lawyer and politician from New Castle, in New Castle County, Delaware. He was an officer in the Continental Army during the American Revolution, and a member of the Federalist Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as Governor of Delaware...	January 19, 1796	September 28, 1797	Federalist
12		Daniel Rogers Daniel Rogers Daniel Rogers was an American miller and politician from Milford, in Sussex County, Delaware. He was a member of the Federalist Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as Governor of Delaware....	September 28, 1797	January 9, 1799	Federalist
13		Richard Bassett Richard Bassett Richard Bassett was an American lawyer and politician from Dover, in Kent County, Delaware. He was a veteran of the American Revolution, a delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1787, and a member of the Federalist Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly, as Governor of Delaware,...	January 9, 1799	March 3, 1801	Federalist			Resigned to take a seat on to the United States Third Circuit Court United States circuit court The United States circuit courts were the original intermediate level courts of the United States federal court system. They were established by the Judiciary Act of 1789. They had trial court jurisdiction over civil suits of diversity jurisdiction and major federal crimes. They also had appellate... .
14		James Sykes	March 3, 1801	January 19, 1802	Federalist
15		David Hall David Hall (Delaware governor) David Hall was an American lawyer and politician from Lewes, in Sussex County, Delaware. He was an officer in the Continental Army during the American Revolution, and member of the Democratic-Republican Party, who served as Governor of Delaware.-Early life and family:Hall was born in Lewes,...	January 19, 1802	January 15, 1805	Democratic-Republican			1
16		Nathaniel Mitchell Nathaniel Mitchell Nathaniel Mitchell was an American lawyer and politician from Laurel, in Sussex County, Delaware. He was an officer in the Continental Army during the American Revolution, a Continental Congressman from Delaware, and a member of the Federalist Party, who served as Governor of Delaware.-Early life...	January 15, 1805	January 19, 1808	Federalist			1
17		George Truitt George Truitt George Truitt was an American farmer and politician from Murderkill Hundred, in Kent County, Delaware, near Felton. He was a member of the Federalist Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as Governor of Delaware....	January 19, 1808	January 15, 1811	Federalist			1
18		Joseph Haslet Joseph Haslet Joseph Haslet was an American planter and politician from Cedar Creek Village in Cedar Creek Hundred, Sussex County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic-Republican Party, who served twice as Governor of Delaware....	January 15, 1811	January 18, 1814	Democratic-Republican			1
19		Daniel Rodney Daniel Rodney Daniel Rodney was an American merchant and politician from Lewes, in Sussex County, Delaware. He was a member of the Federalist Party, and later the National Republican Party, who served as Governor of Delaware, U. S. Representative from Delaware and U.S...	January 18, 1814	January 21, 1817	Federalist			1
20		John Clark John Clark (governor) John Clark was an American farmer and politician from Blackbird Hundred in New Castle County, Delaware, near Smyrna...	January 21, 1817	January 18, 1820	Federalist			1
—		Henry Molleston Henry Molleston Dr. Henry Molleston, III was an American physician and politician from Dover, in Kent County, Delaware. He was a member of the Federalist, who served in the Delaware General Assembly, and was elected Governor of Delaware, but died before taking office.-Early life and family:Molleston was born in...	—	—	Federalist			—
21		Jacob Stout Jacob Stout Jacob Stout was an American manufacturer and politician from Little Creek Hundred, in Kent County, Delaware. He was a member of the Federalist Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as Governor of Delaware....	January 18, 1820	January 16, 1821	Federalist
22		John Collins John Collins (governor) John Collins was an American manufacturer and politician from Collins Mill Pond, in Nanticoke Hundred, Sussex County, Delaware...	January 16, 1821	April 16, 1822	Democratic-Republican
23		Caleb Rodney Caleb Rodney Caleb Rodney was an American merchant and politician from Lewes, in Sussex County, Delaware. He was a member of the Federalist Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as Governor of Delaware....	April 23, 1822	January 21, 1823	Federalist
24		Joseph Haslet Joseph Haslet Joseph Haslet was an American planter and politician from Cedar Creek Village in Cedar Creek Hundred, Sussex County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic-Republican Party, who served twice as Governor of Delaware....	January 21, 1823	June 20, 1823	Democratic-Republican
25		Charles Thomas Charles Thomas (governor) Charles Thomas was an American lawyer and politician from New Castle, in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic-Republican Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as Governor of Delaware....	June 23, 1823	January 20, 1824	Democratic-Republican
26		Samuel Paynter Samuel Paynter Samuel Paynter was an American merchant and politician from Drawbridge, in Broadkill Hundred, Sussex County, Delaware...	January 20, 1824	January 16, 1827	Federalist			1
27		Charles Polk, Jr. Charles Polk, Jr. Charles Polk, Jr. was an American farmer and politician from Big Stone Beach, in Milford Hundred, Kent County, Delaware...	January 16, 1827	January 19, 1830	Federalist			1
28		David Hazzard David Hazzard David Hazzard was an American merchant and politician from Milton, in Sussex County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic-Republican Party, then the National Republican Party, and finally the Whig Party...	January 19, 1830	January 15, 1833	National Republican			1
29		Caleb P. Bennett Caleb P. Bennett Caleb Prew Bennett was an American soldier and politician from Wilmington, in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a veteran of the American Revolution and the War of 1812, and a member of the Democratic Party who served as Governor of Delaware.-Early life and family:Bennett was born in Chester...	January 15, 1833	July 11, 1836	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...			Bennett was the first governor elected under the terms of the 1831 constitution, which lengthened terms to four years.
30		Charles Polk, Jr. Charles Polk, Jr. Charles Polk, Jr. was an American farmer and politician from Big Stone Beach, in Milford Hundred, Kent County, Delaware...	July 11, 1836	January 17, 1837	Whig Whig Party (United States) The Whig Party was a political party of the United States during the era of Jacksonian democracy. Considered integral to the Second Party System and operating from the early 1830s to the mid-1850s, the party was formed in opposition to the policies of President Andrew Jackson and his Democratic...
31		Cornelius P. Comegys Cornelius P. Comegys Cornelius Parsons Comegys was an American farmer and politician from Dover Hundred, in Kent County, Delaware, near Little Creek...	January 17, 1837	January 19, 1841	Whig			1
32		William B. Cooper William B. Cooper William Barkley Cooper was an American farmer and politician from Laurel, in Sussex County, Delaware. He was a member of the Federalist Party, then later the Whig Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as Governor of Delaware.-Early life and family:Cooper was born in Laurel,...	January 19, 1841	January 21, 1845	Whig			1
33		Thomas Stockton Thomas Stockton Thomas Stockton was an American soldier and politician from New Castle, in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a veteran of the War of 1812, and a member of the Whig Party, who served as Governor of Delaware....	January 21, 1845	March 2, 1846	Whig
34		Joseph Maull Joseph Maull Dr. Joseph Maull was an American physician and politician from Lewes, in Sussex County, Delaware. He was a veteran of the War of 1812, and a member of the Federalist Party, then later the Whig Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as Governor of Delaware.-Early life and...	March 2, 1846	May 3, 1846	Whig
35		William Temple William Temple (governor) William Temple was an American merchant and politician from Smyrna, in Kent County, Delaware. He was a member of the Whig Party, and later the Democratic Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly, as Governor of Delaware, and as U.S...	May 6, 1846	January 19, 1847	Whig
36		William Tharp William Tharp William Tharp was an American farmer and politician from Milford, in Kent County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as Governor of Delaware....	January 19, 1847	January 21, 1851	Democratic			1
37		William H. H. Ross	January 21, 1851	January 16, 1855	Democratic			1
38		Peter F. Causey Peter F. Causey Peter Foster Causey was an American merchant and politician from Milford, in Kent County, Delaware. He was a member of the American Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as Governor of Delaware....	January 16, 1855	January 18, 1859	American			1
39		William Burton William Burton (governor) Dr. William Burton was an American physician and politician from Milford, in Kent County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic Party, who served as Governor of Delaware.-Early life and family:...	January 18, 1859	January 20, 1863	Democratic			1
40		William Cannon William Cannon William Cannon was an American merchant and politician from Bridgeville, in Sussex County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic Party and later the Republican Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as Governor of Delaware during much of the Civil War.-Early life and...	January 20, 1863	March 1, 1865	Republican
41		Gove Saulsbury Gove Saulsbury Dr. Gove Saulsbury was an American physician and politician from Dover, in Kent County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic Party, and he served in the Delaware General Assembly and as Governor of Delaware....	March 1, 1865	January 17, 1871	Democratic			As Speaker of the Senate, acted as governor for unexpired term, and was subsequently elected in their own right.
42		James Ponder James Ponder James Ponder was an American merchant and politician from Milton, in Sussex County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as Governor of Delaware....	January 17, 1871	January 19, 1875	Democratic			1
43		John P. Cochran John P. Cochran John Price Cochran was an American farmer and politician from Middletown, in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic Party, who served as Governor of Delaware.-Early life and family:...	January 19, 1875	January 21, 1879	Democratic			1
44		John W. Hall John W. Hall John Wood Hall was an American merchant and politician from Frederica, in Kent County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as Governor of Delaware....	January 21, 1879	January 16, 1883	Democratic			1
45		Charles C. Stockley Charles C. Stockley Charles Clark Stockley was an American farmer and politician from Georgetown, in Sussex County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as Governor of Delaware....	January 16, 1883	January 18, 1887	Democratic			1
46		Benjamin T. Biggs Benjamin T. Biggs Benjamin Thomas Biggs was an American farmer and politician from Middletown, in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a veteran of the Mexican-American War and a member of the Democratic Party, who served as U.S...	January 18, 1887	January 20, 1891	Democratic			1
47		Robert J. Reynolds Robert J. Reynolds Robert John Reynolds was an American farmer and politician from Petersburg in South Murderkill Hundred, Kent County, Delaware...	January 20, 1891	January 15, 1895	Democratic			1
48		Joshua H. Marvil Joshua H. Marvil Joshua Hopkins Marvil was an American merchant and politician from Laurel, in Sussex County, Delaware. He was a member of the Republican Party, who served as Governor of Delaware.-Early life and family:...	January 15, 1895	April 8, 1895	Republican
49		William T. Watson William T. Watson William Tharp Watson was an American banker and politician from Milford, in Kent County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as Governor of Delaware....	April 8, 1895	January 19, 1897	Democratic
50		Ebe W. Tunnell Ebe W. Tunnell Ebe Walter Tunnell was an American merchant and politician from Lewes, in Sussex County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as Governor of Delaware....	January 19, 1897	January 15, 1901	Democratic			1
51		John Hunn John Hunn (governor) John Hunn was an American businessman and politician from Camden, in Kent County, Delaware. He was a member of the Republican Party who served as Governor of Delaware.-Early life and family:...	January 15, 1901	January 17, 1905	Republican		Philip L. Cannon Philip L. Cannon Philip Leonidas Cannon was Lieutenant Governor of Delaware from January 15, 1901 to January 17, 1905. Cannon, the son of former Governor William Cannon and Magaret Ann Barker, was the first elected to the office under the Delaware Constitution of 1897, and served under 53rd Governor John...	1
52		Preston Lea Preston Lea Preston Lea was an American businessman and politician from Wilmington, in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a member of the Republican Party who served as Governor of Delaware.-Early life and family:...	January 17, 1905	January 19, 1909	Republican		Isaac T. Parker Isaac T. Parker Isaac Thomas Parker was an American politician who served as the second Lieutenant Governor of Delaware, from January 17, 1905, to January 19, 1909, under Governor Preston Lea.-External links:*...	1
53		Simeon S. Pennewill Simeon S. Pennewill Simeon Selby Pennewill was an American farmer and politician from Dover, in Kent County, Delaware. He was a member of the Republican Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as Governor of Delaware....	January 19, 1909	January 21, 1913	Republican		John M. Mendinhall John M. Mendinhall John Marshall Mendinhall was an American politician who served as the third Lieutenant Governor of Delaware, from January 19, 1909, to January 21, 1913, under Governor Simeon S. Pennewill.-External links:*...	1
54		Charles R. Miller Charles R. Miller Charles Robert Miller was an American lawyer and politician from Wilmington, Delaware. He was a member of the Republican Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as Governor of Delaware.-Biography:...	January 21, 1913	January 16, 1917	Republican		Colen Ferguson Colen Ferguson Colen Ferguson was an American politician who served as the fourth Lieutenant Governor of Delaware, from January 21, 1913, to January 16, 1917, under Governor Charles R. Miller.-External links:*...	1
55		John G. Townsend, Jr. John G. Townsend, Jr. John Gillis Townsend, Jr. was an American businessman and politician from Selbyville, in Sussex County, Delaware. He was a member of the Republican Party, who served as Governor and two terms as U. S. Senator from Delaware....	January 16, 1917	January 18, 1921	Republican		Lewis T. Eliason Lewis T. Eliason Lewis E. Eliason was an American politician who served as the fifth Lieutenant Governor of Delaware, from January 16, 1917, to January 18, 1921, under Governor John G. Townsend, Jr.-External links:*...	1
56		William D. Denney William D. Denney William duHamel Denney was an American businessman and politician from Dover, in Kent County, Delaware. He was a veteran of World War I and member of the Republican Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as Governor of Delaware.-Early life and family:Denney was born near Dover,...	January 18, 1921	January 20, 1925	Republican		J. Danforth Bush J. Danforth Bush Joshua Danforth Bush was an American businessman and Republican Party politician who served as the sixth Lieutenant Governor of Delaware, from January 18, 1921 to January 20, 1925, under Governor William D. Denney. He resided in Wilmington, Delaware.Bush was also a wealthy businessman, as a member...	1
57		Robert P. Robinson Robert P. Robinson Robert Pyle Robinson was an American banker and politician from Wilmington, in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a member of the Republican Party who served as Governor of Delaware.-Early life and family:...	January 20, 1925	January 15, 1929	Republican		James H. Anderson James H. Anderson James Hall Anderson was an American politician who served as the seventh Lieutenant Governor of Delaware, from January 20, 1925, to January 15, 1929, under Governor Robert P. Robinson.-External links:*...	1
58		C. Douglass Buck C. Douglass Buck Clayton Douglass Buck was an American engineer and politician from New Castle Hundred, New Castle County, Delaware. He was a veteran of World War I and a member of the Republican Party, who served two terms as Governor and one term as U. S. Senator from Delaware...	January 15, 1929	January 19, 1937	Republican		James H. Hazel James H. Hazel James Henry Hazel was an American politician who served as the eighth Lieutenant Governor of Delaware, from January 15, 1929, to January 17, 1933, under Governor C. Douglass Buck.-External links:*...	2
							Roy F. Corley Roy F. Corley Roy Franklin Corley was an American politician who served as the ninth Lieutenant Governor of Delaware, from January 17, 1933, to January 19, 1937, under Governor C. Douglass Buck.-External links:*...
59		Richard C. McMullen Richard C. McMullen Richard Cann McMullen was an American manufacturer and politician from Wilmington, in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic Party, who served as Governor of Delaware.-Early life and family:...	January 19, 1937	January 21, 1941	Democratic		Edward W. Cooch Edward W. Cooch Edward W. Cooch was an American politician who served as the tenth Lieutenant Governor of Delaware, from January 19, 1937, to January 21, 1941, under Governor Richard C. McMullen.-External links:*...	1
60		Walter W. Bacon Walter W. Bacon Walter Wolfkiel Bacon was an American accountant and politician from Wilmington, in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a member of the Republican Party who served three terms as Mayor of Wilmington and two terms as Governor of Delaware...	January 21, 1941	January 18, 1949	Republican		Isaac J. MacCollum Isaac J. MacCollum Dr. Isaac James MacCollum was an American physician and politician from Wyoming, in Kent County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic Party who served as the 11th Lieutenant Governor of Delaware.-Early life and family:...	2
							Elbert N. Carvel Elbert N. Carvel Elbert Nostrand "Bert" Carvel was an American businessman and politician from Laurel, in Sussex County, Delaware...
61		Elbert N. Carvel Elbert N. Carvel Elbert Nostrand "Bert" Carvel was an American businessman and politician from Laurel, in Sussex County, Delaware...	January 18, 1949	January 20, 1953	Democratic		Alexis I. du Pont Bayard Alexis I. du Pont Bayard Alexis Irénée du Pont "Lex" Bayard was an American lawyer and politician from Rockland, near Greenville, in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a veteran of World War II, and a member of the Democratic Party, who served as the 13th Lieutenant Governor of Delaware.-Early Life and family:Bayard was...	1
62		J. Caleb Boggs J. Caleb Boggs James Caleb "Cale" Boggs was an American lawyer and politician from Claymont, in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a veteran of World War II, and a member of the Republican Party, who served three terms as U.S. Representative from Delaware, two terms as Governor of Delaware, and two terms as...	January 20, 1953	December 30, 1960	Republican		John W. Rollins John W. Rollins John W. Rollins was an American businessman and politician from Greenville in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a member of the Republican Party, and served as the 14th Lieutenant Governor of Delaware....	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... .
							David P. Buckson David P. Buckson David Penrose Buckson is an American lawyer and politician from Camden, in Kent County, Delaware. He is a veteran of World War II and a member of the Republican Party, who served as the 15th Lieutenant Governor of Delaware, the 68th Governor of Delaware and the 37th Attorney General of...
63		David P. Buckson David P. Buckson David Penrose Buckson is an American lawyer and politician from Camden, in Kent County, Delaware. He is a veteran of World War II and a member of the Republican Party, who served as the 15th Lieutenant Governor of Delaware, the 68th Governor of Delaware and the 37th Attorney General of...	December 30, 1960	January 17, 1961	Republican	Vacant
64		Elbert N. Carvel Elbert N. Carvel Elbert Nostrand "Bert" Carvel was an American businessman and politician from Laurel, in Sussex County, Delaware...	January 17, 1961	January 19, 1965	Democratic		Eugene Lammot Eugene Lammot Eugene Lammot is an American politician who served as the 16th Lieutenant Governor of Delaware, from January 17, 1961, to January 19, 1965, under Governor Elbert N. Carvel.-External links:*...	1
65		Charles L. Terry, Jr. Charles L. Terry, Jr. Charles Layman "Charlie" Terry, Jr. was an American lawyer and politician from Dover, in Kent County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic Party, who served as Chief Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court and as Governor of Delaware.-Early life and family:Terry was born at Camden, Delaware,...	January 19, 1965	January 21, 1969	Democratic		Sherman W. Tribbitt Sherman W. Tribbitt Sherman Willard Tribbitt was an American merchant and politician from Odessa, in New Castle County, Delaware...	1
66		Russell W. Peterson Russell W. Peterson Russell Wilbur "Russ" Peterson was an American scientist and politician from Wilmington, Delaware. He served as Governor of Delaware as a member of the Republican Party...	January 21, 1969	January 16, 1973	Republican		Eugene Bookhammer Eugene Bookhammer Eugene Bookhammer is an American politician who served as the 18th Lieutenant Governor of Delaware, from January 21, 1969, to January 18, 1977, under Governors Russell W. Peterson and Sherman W. Tribbitt.-External links:*...	1
67		Sherman W. Tribbitt Sherman W. Tribbitt Sherman Willard Tribbitt was an American merchant and politician from Odessa, in New Castle County, Delaware...	January 16, 1973	January 18, 1977	Democratic		Eugene Bookhammer Eugene Bookhammer Eugene Bookhammer is an American politician who served as the 18th Lieutenant Governor of Delaware, from January 21, 1969, to January 18, 1977, under Governors Russell W. Peterson and Sherman W. Tribbitt.-External links:*...	1
68		Pierre S. du Pont, IV Pierre S. du Pont, IV Pierre Samuel "Pete" du Pont IV is an American lawyer and politician from Rockland, in New Castle County, Delaware, near Wilmington. He is a member of the Republican Party, who served three terms as U.S...	January 18, 1977	January 15, 1985	Republican		James D. McGinnis James D. McGinnis James D. McGinnis was an American real estate agent and politician from Dover in Kent County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic Party, who served as the 19th Lieutenant Governor.-Professional career:...	2
							Michael Castle
69		Michael Castle	January 15, 1985	December 31, 1992	Republican		Shien Biau Woo Shien Biau Woo Shien Biau "S.B." Woo is an American professor and politician from Newark, in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic Party and served as the 21st Lieutenant Governor of Delaware.- Early life and family :Woo's ancestral hometown is Yuyao, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province...	Resigned to take an elected seat in the United States House of Representatives United States House of Representatives The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution... .
							Dale E. Wolf Dale E. Wolf Dale Edward Wolf is an American businessman and politician from Wilmington, in New Castle County, Delaware. He is veteran of World War II, and a member of the Republican Party, who served as the 22nd Lieutenant Governor of Delaware and the Governor of Delaware.-Early life and family:Wolf was born...
70		Dale E. Wolf Dale E. Wolf Dale Edward Wolf is an American businessman and politician from Wilmington, in New Castle County, Delaware. He is veteran of World War II, and a member of the Republican Party, who served as the 22nd Lieutenant Governor of Delaware and the Governor of Delaware.-Early life and family:Wolf was born...	December 31, 1992	January 19, 1993	Republican	Vacant
71		Thomas R. Carper Thomas R. Carper Thomas Richard "Tom" Carper is the senior United States Senator from Delaware and a member of the Democratic Party. He was previously the 71st Governor of Delaware and a United States Representative....	January 19, 1993	January 3, 2001	Democratic		Ruth Ann Minner Ruth Ann Minner Ruth Ann Minner is an American politician and businesswoman from Milford, in Kent County, Delaware. She is a member of the Democratic Party who served in the Delaware General Assembly, as the 23rd Lieutenant Governor of Delaware and two terms as the first female Governor of Delaware.-Early life...
72		Ruth Ann Minner Ruth Ann Minner Ruth Ann Minner is an American politician and businesswoman from Milford, in Kent County, Delaware. She is a member of the Democratic Party who served in the Delaware General Assembly, as the 23rd Lieutenant Governor of Delaware and two terms as the first female Governor of Delaware.-Early life...	January 3, 2001	January 20, 2009	Democratic	Vacant		As lieutenant governor, filled unexpired term, and was subsequently elected in their own right.
							John C. Carney, Jr. John C. Carney, Jr. John Charles Carney, Jr. is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Democratic Party. He was the 24th Lieutenant Governor of Delaware from 2001 to 2009...
73		Jack Markell	January 20, 2009	Incumbent	Democratic		Matthew P. Denn Matthew P. Denn Matthew P. "Matt" Denn is an American lawyer and politician from Hockessin in New Castle County, Delaware. He is a member of the Democratic Party who was the Insurance Commissioner of Delaware and is currently the 25th Lieutenant Governor of Delaware.-Early life and family:Denn was born in...	1Governor Markell's first term expires Delaware gubernatorial election, 2012 The 2012 Delaware gubernatorial election will take place on November 6, 2012 to elect the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Delaware. Governor Jack Markell and Lieutenant Governor Matthew P...  on January 15, 2013; 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.

Other high offices held

Seventeen of Delaware's governors have held other high offices, with six representing Delaware in the Continental Congress

Continental Congress

The Continental Congress was a convention of delegates called together from the Thirteen Colonies that became the governing body of the United States during the American Revolution....

 and twelve representing the state in 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....

. Two have served as President of Pennsylvania. Four (marked with *) resigned to take other offices, three in the U.S. Congress and one to be President of Pennsylvania.

All representatives and senators listed represented Delaware except where noted.

Name	Gubernatorial term	Other offices held	Source
	1777	Continental Delegate Continental Congress The Continental Congress was a convention of delegates called together from the Thirteen Colonies that became the governing body of the United States during the American Revolution....  (including President of the Continental Congress President of the Continental Congress The President of the Continental Congress was the presiding officer of the Continental Congress, the convention of delegates that emerged as the first national government of the United States during the American Revolution... ), President of Pennsylvania
	1777–1778	Continental Delegate, Senator
	1778–1781	Continental Delegate
	1781–1783	Continental Delegate, Continental Delegate from Pennsylvania Pennsylvania The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to... , President of Pennsylvania*
	1783–1786	Continental Delegate
	1789–1796	Senator
	1799–1801	Senator
	1805–1808	Continental Delegate
	1814–1817	Representative, Senator
	1846–1847	Representative
	1887–1891	Representative
	1917–1921	Senator
	1929–1937	Senator
	1953–1960	Senator*
	1977–1985	Representative
	1985–1992	Representative*
	1993–2001	Representative, Senator*

Living former governors

, six former governors were alive. The most recent death of a former governor was that of Russell W. Peterson

Russell W. Peterson

Russell Wilbur "Russ" Peterson was an American scientist and politician from Wilmington, Delaware. He served as Governor of Delaware as a member of the Republican Party...

 (1969–1973), who died on February 20, 2011.

Governor	Term of office	Date of birth
David P. Buckson David P. Buckson David Penrose Buckson is an American lawyer and politician from Camden, in Kent County, Delaware. He is a veteran of World War II and a member of the Republican Party, who served as the 15th Lieutenant Governor of Delaware, the 68th Governor of Delaware and the 37th Attorney General of...	1960–1961	25 July 1920 (age 91)
Pierre S. du Pont, IV Pierre S. du Pont, IV Pierre Samuel "Pete" du Pont IV is an American lawyer and politician from Rockland, in New Castle County, Delaware, near Wilmington. He is a member of the Republican Party, who served three terms as U.S...	1977–1985	22 January 1935 (age 77)
Michael Castle	1985–1992	2 July 1939 (age 72)
Dale E. Wolf Dale E. Wolf Dale Edward Wolf is an American businessman and politician from Wilmington, in New Castle County, Delaware. He is veteran of World War II, and a member of the Republican Party, who served as the 22nd Lieutenant Governor of Delaware and the Governor of Delaware.-Early life and family:Wolf was born...	1992–1993	6 September 1924 (age 87)
Thomas R. Carper Thomas R. Carper Thomas Richard "Tom" Carper is the senior United States Senator from Delaware and a member of the Democratic Party. He was previously the 71st Governor of Delaware and a United States Representative....	1993–2001	23 January 1947 (age 65)
Ruth Ann Minner Ruth Ann Minner Ruth Ann Minner is an American politician and businesswoman from Milford, in Kent County, Delaware. She is a member of the Democratic Party who served in the Delaware General Assembly, as the 23rd Lieutenant Governor of Delaware and two terms as the first female Governor of Delaware.-Early life...	2001–2009	17 January 1935 (age 77)

External links

• Office of the Governor of Delaware