The governor of Kansas is the head of state of Kansas[2] and the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces.[3] The governor has a duty to enforce state laws,[2] and the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Kansas Legislature,[4] to convene the legislature at any time,[5] and to grant pardons.[6]
Since becoming a state, Kansas has had 48 governors. The state's longest-serving governors were Robert Docking, John W. Carlin, and Bill Graves, each of whom served 8 years (Docking served four two-year terms; Carlin and Graves each served 2 4-year terms). The shortest-serving governor was John McCuish, who served only 11 days after the resignation of Fred Hall.
The current governor is DemocratLaura Kelly, who took office on January 14, 2019.
The eastern bulk of Kansas Territory was admitted to the Union as Kansas on January 29, 1861.[25] The Kansas Constitution provided that a governor and lieutenant governor be elected every 2 years, for a term commencing on the second Monday in the January after the election.[26] An amendment in 1972 increased terms to four years, with a limit that a governor could not serve more than two terms in a row, and provided that the governor and lieutenant governor are elected on the same ticket.[27] In the original constitution, should the office of governor be vacant, the powers would devolve upon the lieutenant governor, who nonetheless would remain in that office;[28] the 1972 amendment changed it so that, in such an event, the lieutenant governor becomes governor.[29]
Until 2018, there was no age or residency requirement to run for the office; in 2017, three teenagers were doing so.[30] In 2018, a law was passed establishing the age to run for governor and lieutenant governor at 25.[31]
^The range given is from the date the governor was confirmed by the Senate, or appointed by the President during a Senate recess, to the date the governor left office.
^Reeder was nominated on June 22, 1854,[9] confirmed by the Senate on June 29,[10] and took office on October 7.[8]
^Reeder was dismissed by President Franklin Pierce, "on the tenuous grounds of illegal land speculation" when he refused another appointment.[8]
^Shannon was appointed on August 10, 1855,[11] during a Senate recess; nominated on December 7, 1855,[12] and confirmed by the Senate on February 19, 1856.[13] He took office on September 1, 1855.[11]
^Shannon resigned, frustrated at how ungovernable he found the territory.[11]
^Geary was nominated on July 28, 1856,[15] confirmed by the Senate on July 31,[16] and took office on September 9.[14]
^Geary resigned, "discouraged and feeling betrayed" due to the violence he had experienced.[14]
^Walker was appointed on March 30, 1857, during a Senate recess; he was never confirmed by the Senate. He gave his inaugural address on May 27.[17]
^Walker resigned following constant attack by pro-slavery forces and lack of support from the federal administration.[17]
^Denver was nominated on January 12, 1858,[19] and confirmed by the Senate on February 24.[20]
^Denver resigned, tired of the constant strife and lack of support from the federal administration. He submitted his resignation on October 10, 1858, to take effect upon the arrival of his successor, but he left the territory on November 8.[18]
^Medary was appointed on November 23, 1858,[21] during a Senate recess; nominated on December 21;[22] and confirmed by the Senate on December 22.[23] He took office on December 18.[21]
^Medary resigned following the election of Abraham Lincoln to president;[21] he had already lost the election to be the first state governor.[24]
^Lieutenant governors represented the same party as their governor unless noted.
^Crawford resigned to take command of the 19th Kansas Infantry.[40]
^Carlson resigned; he had been elected to the United States Senate to replace Harry Darby, and Darby resigned early so that Carlson could be appointed to the seat early by his replacement as governor, Frank L. Hagaman.[147]
^Hagaman had already lost the Republican nomination to Edward F. Arn.[151]
^Hall resigned so that his successor would appoint him to the Kansas Supreme Court; he had already lost the Republican nomination to Warren W. Shaw.[158]
^ a b cUnder a 1972 amendment to the constitution, governors may not be elected to more than two successive terms.[181]
^First term under a 1972 constitutional amendment which lengthened terms to four years.
Sobel, Robert (1978). Biographical directory of the governors of the United States, 1789-1978, Vol. II. Meckler Books. ISBN 9780930466008. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
McMullin, Thomas A. (1984). Biographical directory of American territorial governors. Westport, CT : Meckler. ISBN 978-0-930466-11-4. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
Dubin, Michael J. (2003). United States Gubernatorial Elections, 1776-1860: The Official Results by State and County. McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-1439-0.
Dubin, Michael J. (2014). United States Gubernatorial Elections, 1861-1911: The Official Results by State and County. McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-5646-8.
Kallenbach, Joseph Ernest (1977). American State Governors, 1776-1976. Oceana Publications. ISBN 978-0-379-00665-0. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
Glashan, Roy R. (1979). American Governors and Gubernatorial Elections, 1775-1978. Meckler Books. ISBN 978-0-930466-17-6.
^Woodall, Hunter (September 28, 2017). "As third teen joins Kansas governor race, consider this: No rule says a dog can't run". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
^KWCH (May 18, 2018). "New law sets minimum age for Kansas governor candidates". KWCH.
^"Arthur Capper of Topeka, a Native Kansan, Inaugurated As Governor of His State Today With Entire Republican Administration". The Topeka State Journal. January 11, 1915. p. 1. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
^"Jonathan McMillan Davis (1923-1925)". State Library of Kansas. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
^"Kansas Inaugurates Davis as Chief Executive; Wyandotte Bourbons Out After Beths on Democratic Slate". The Kansas City Kansan. January 8, 1923. p. 1. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
^"Andrew Frank Schoeppel (1943-1947)". State Library of Kansas. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
^"Andrew Schoeppel Takes Oath As 29th Governor of Kansas; Pledges Economy in the Office". The Wichita Eagle. Associated Press. January 12, 1943. p. 1. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
^Shorman, Jonathan; Woodall, Hunter (February 1, 2018). "Colyer Hails New Day in Kansas, Vows Tone of Respect, Openness". The Wichita Eagle. p. 1A. Retrieved August 22, 2023.