List of Governors of Maine

Seal of the Governor of Maine
The Blaine House is the official residence of the Governor of Maine. The Executive Mansion was officially declared the residence of the Governor in 1919 with the name "The Blaine House." It is located in Augusta, Maine, across the street from the Maine State House.

The Governor of Maine is the head of the executive branch of Maine's state government[1] and the commander-in-chief of its military forces.[2] The governor has a duty to enforce state laws,[3] and the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Maine Legislature,[4] to convene the legislature at any time,[5] and, except in cases of impeachment, to grant pardons.[6]

According to official numbering, there have been 74 governors of Maine since statehood. 70 men have held the office; 4 of them served multiple non-consecutive terms.[7] The longest-serving governor was Joseph E. Brennan, who served two terms from 1979 to 1987. The shortest-serving governors were Nathaniel M. Haskell and Richard H. Vose, who each served only one day. John W. Dana also served for one day in 1844, after the incumbent governor resigned, but was later elected to the governorship. The current governor is Republican Paul LePage, who took office on January 5, 2011. He is serving his second term which expires in January 2019.

Governors

For the period before statehood, see list of Governors of Massachusetts.

Maine was admitted to the Union on March 15, 1820, as the 23rd state. Before then, it was the District of Maine, part of the state of Massachusetts.[8] The Maine Constitution of 1820 originally established a gubernatorial term of one year,[9] to begin on the first Wednesday of January; constitutional amendments expanded this to two years in 1879[10] and to four years in 1957.[11] The 1957 amendment also prohibited governors from succeeding themselves after serving two terms.[11] The constitution does not establish an office of lieutenant governor; a vacancy in the office of governor is filled by the president of the Maine Senate.[12] Prior to an amendment in 1964, the president of the senate only acted as governor.[13][14]

Parties

  Democratic (23)   Democratic-Republican (6)   Greenback (1)   Independent (2)   National Republican (1)   Republican (37)   Whig (4)
(Above numbering includes repeat governors: one Whig, one Republican, and two Democrats who served two nonconsecutive terms. It also includes one governor who was a Greenback but co-nominated by the Democrats.)

# Portrait   Governor Party Took office Left office Terms
[note 1]
1   King, WilliamWilliam King Democratic-Republican March 15, 1820 May 28, 1821 1⁄4

[note 2]

2 Williamson, William D.William D. Williamson Democratic-Republican May 28, 1821 December 5, 1821 1⁄4

[note 3]
[note 4]

3 Ames, BenjaminBenjamin Ames Democratic-Republican December 5, 1821 January 2, 1822 1⁄4

[note 5]
[note 6]

4 Rose, DanielDaniel Rose Democratic-Republican January 2, 1822 January 5, 1822 1⁄4

[note 7]

5 Parris, Albion K.Albion K. Parris Democratic-Republican January 5, 1822 January 3, 1827 5
6 Lincoln, EnochEnoch Lincoln Democratic-Republican January 3, 1827 October 8, 1829 21⁄3

[note 8]

7 Cutler, NathanNathan Cutler Democratic October 8, 1829 January 6, 1830 1⁄3

[note 9]

8 Hall, JoshuaJoshua Hall Democratic January 6, 1830 February 9, 1830 1⁄3

[note 5]

9 Hunton, Jonathan G.Jonathan G. Hunton National Republican February 9, 1830 January 5, 1831 1
10 Smith, Samuel E.Samuel E. Smith Democratic January 5, 1831 January 1, 1834 3
11 Dunlap, Robert P.Robert P. Dunlap Democratic January 1, 1834 January 3, 1838 4
12 Kent, EdwardEdward Kent Whig January 19, 1838 January 2, 1839 1

[note 10]

13 Fairfield, JohnJohn Fairfield Democratic January 2, 1839 January 12, 1841 11⁄2

[note 11]

14 Vose, Richard H.Richard H. Vose Whig January 12, 1841 January 13, 1841 1⁄2

[note 7]

15 Kent, EdwardEdward Kent Whig January 13, 1841 January 5, 1842 1
16 Fairfield, JohnJohn Fairfield Democratic January 5, 1842 March 7, 1843 11⁄4

[note 12]

17 Kavanagh, EdwardEdward Kavanagh Democratic March 7, 1843 January 1, 1844 1⁄4

[note 3]
[note 13]

18 Dunn, DavidDavid Dunn Democratic January 1, 1844 January 3, 1844 1⁄4

[note 5]
[note 14]

19 Dana, John W.John W. Dana Democratic January 3, 1844 January 3, 1844 1⁄4

[note 7]

20 Anderson, Hugh J.Hugh J. Anderson Democratic January 3, 1844 May 12, 1847 3
21 Dana, John W.John W. Dana Democratic May 12, 1847 May 8, 1850 3
22 Hubbard, JohnJohn Hubbard Democratic May 8, 1850 January 5, 1853 3
23 Crosby, William G.William G. Crosby Whig January 5, 1853 January 3, 1855 2
24 Morrill, AnsonAnson Morrill Republican January 3, 1855 January 2, 1856 1
25 Wells, SamuelSamuel Wells Democratic January 2, 1856 January 8, 1857 1
26 Hamlin, HannibalHannibal Hamlin Republican January 8, 1857 February 25, 1857 1⁄2

[note 12]

27 Williams, Joseph H.Joseph H. Williams Republican February 25, 1857 January 6, 1858 1⁄2

[note 7]

28 Morrill, Lot M.Lot M. Morrill Republican January 6, 1858 January 2, 1861 3
29 Washburn, Jr., IsraelIsrael Washburn, Jr. Republican January 2, 1861 January 7, 1863 2
30 Coburn, AbnerAbner Coburn Republican January 7, 1863 January 6, 1864 1
31 Cony, SamuelSamuel Cony Republican January 6, 1864 January 2, 1867 2
32 Chamberlain, JoshuaJoshua Chamberlain Republican January 2, 1867 January 4, 1871 4
33 Perham, SidneySidney Perham Republican January 4, 1871 January 7, 1874 3
34 Dingley Jr., NelsonNelson Dingley Jr. Republican January 7, 1874 January 5, 1876 2
35 Connor, SeldonSeldon Connor Republican January 5, 1876 January 8, 1879 3
36 Garcelon, AlonzoAlonzo Garcelon Democratic January 8, 1879 January 17, 1880 1
37 Davis, Daniel F.Daniel F. Davis Republican January 17, 1880 January 13, 1881 1
38 Plaisted, Harris M.Harris M. Plaisted Greenback / Democratic January 13, 1881 January 3, 1883 1
39 Robie, FrederickFrederick Robie Republican January 3, 1883 January 5, 1887 2
40 Bodwell, Joseph R.Joseph R. Bodwell Republican January 5, 1887 December 15, 1887 1⁄2

[note 8]

41 Marble, Sebastian StreeterSebastian Streeter Marble Republican December 15, 1887 January 2, 1889 1⁄2

[note 7]

42 Burleigh, Edwin C.Edwin C. Burleigh Republican January 2, 1889 January 4, 1893 2
43 Cleaves, Henry B.Henry B. Cleaves Republican January 4, 1893 January 2, 1897 2
44 Powers, LlewellynLlewellyn Powers Republican January 2, 1897 January 2, 1901 2
45 Hill, John FremontJohn Fremont Hill Republican January 2, 1901 January 4, 1905 2
46 Cobb, William T.William T. Cobb Republican January 4, 1905 January 6, 1909 2
47 Fernald, Bert M.Bert M. Fernald Republican January 6, 1909 January 4, 1911 1
48 Plaisted, Frederick W.Frederick W. Plaisted Democratic January 4, 1911 January 1, 1913 1
49 Haines, William T.William T. Haines Republican January 1, 1913 January 6, 1915 1
50 Curtis, Oakley C.Oakley C. Curtis Democratic January 6, 1915 January 3, 1917 1
51 Milliken, CarlCarl Milliken Republican January 3, 1917 January 5, 1921 2
52 Parkhurst, Frederic HaleFrederic Hale Parkhurst Republican January 5, 1921 January 31, 1921 1⁄2

[note 8]

53 Baxter, Percival ProctorPercival Proctor Baxter Republican January 31, 1921 January 7, 1925 11⁄2

[note 15]

54 Brewster, OwenOwen Brewster Republican January 7, 1925 January 2, 1929 2
55 Gardiner, William TudorWilliam Tudor Gardiner Republican January 2, 1929 January 4, 1933 2
56 Brann, Louis J.Louis J. Brann Democratic January 4, 1933 January 6, 1937 2
57 Barrows, Lewis O.Lewis O. Barrows Republican January 6, 1937 January 1, 1941 2
58 Sewall, SumnerSumner Sewall Republican January 1, 1941 January 3, 1945 2
59 Hildreth, HoraceHorace Hildreth Republican January 3, 1945 January 5, 1949 2
60 Payne, Frederick G.Frederick G. Payne Republican January 5, 1949 December 24, 1952 11⁄3

[note 12]

61 Cross, Burton M.Burton M. Cross Republican December 24, 1952 January 6, 1953 1⁄3

[note 9]

62 Haskell, Nathaniel M.Nathaniel M. Haskell Republican January 6, 1953 January 7, 1953 1⁄3

[note 16]

63 Cross, Burton M.Burton M. Cross Republican January 7, 1953 January 5, 1955 1
64 Muskie, EdmundEdmund Muskie Democratic January 5, 1955 January 2, 1959 11⁄2

[note 12]

65 Haskell, RobertRobert Haskell Republican January 2, 1959 January 7, 1959 1⁄2

[note 7]

66 Clauson, ClintonClinton Clauson Democratic January 7, 1959 December 30, 1959 1⁄2

[note 8]

67 Reed, John H.John H. Reed Republican December 30, 1959 January 5, 1967 11⁄2

[note 15]

68 Curtis, Kenneth M.Kenneth M. Curtis Democratic January 5, 1967 January 2, 1975 2
69 Longley, James B.James B. Longley Independent January 2, 1975 January 3, 1979 1
70 Brennan, Joseph E.Joseph E. Brennan Democratic January 3, 1979 January 7, 1987 2
71 McKernan Jr., John R.John R. McKernan Jr. Republican January 7, 1987 January 5, 1995 2
72 King, AngusAngus King Independent January 5, 1995 January 8, 2003 2
73 Baldacci, JohnJohn Baldacci Democratic January 8, 2003 January 5, 2011 2
74 LePage, PaulPaul LePage Republican January 5, 2011 Incumbent 2
[note 17]

Other high offices held

Twenty-four of Maine's governors have served higher federal offices. Seventeen have represented Maine in the U.S. House of Representatives, while two early in the state's history represented Massachusetts. There were also nine governors who served in the U.S. Senate, five (marked with *) resigning their office as governor to enter the Senate. One governor, Hannibal Hamlin, resigned his seat in the Senate to be governor (marked with †), then resigned as governor the next month to rejoin the Senate. Hamlin was also one of three governors to be ambassadors, and the only one to be Vice President of the United States. Two other governors served in the Cabinet.

Governor Gubernatorial term U.S. House U.S. Senate Other offices held Source
William D. Williamson 1821 H — [19]
Albion K. Parris 1822–1827 — S* U.S. Representative from Massachusetts [20]
Enoch Lincoln 1827–1829 H — U.S. Representative from Massachusetts [21]
Robert P. Dunlap 1834–1838 H — [22]
John Fairfield 1839–1841
1842–1843		 H S* [23]
Edward Kavanagh 1843–1844 H — [24]
Hugh J. Anderson 1844–1847 H — [25]
Anson Morrill 1858–1861 H — [26]
Hannibal Hamlin 1857 H S†* U.S. Minister to Spain, Vice President of the United States [27]
Lot M. Morrill 1858–1861 — S U.S. Secretary of the Treasury [28]
Sidney Perham 1871–1874 H — [29]
Nelson Dingley, Jr. 1874–1876 H — [30]
Harris M. Plaisted 1881–1883 H — [31]
Edwin C. Burleigh 1889–1893 H S [32]
Llewellyn Powers 1897–1901 H — [33]
Bert M. Fernald 1909–1911 — S [34]
Owen Brewster 1925–1929 H S [35]
Horace A. Hildreth 1945–1949 — — U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan [36]
Frederick G. Payne 1949–1952 — S* [37]
Edmund Muskie 1955–1959 — S* U.S. Secretary of State [38]
Kenneth M. Curtis 1967–1974 — — U.S. Ambassador to Canada [39]
Joseph E. Brennan 1979–1987 H — [40]
John R. McKernan, Jr. 1987–1995 H — [41]
Angus King 1995–2003 — S
John Baldacci 2003–2011 H — [42]

Living former U.S. governors of Maine

As of May 2015, five former governors are alive, the oldest being Kenneth M. Curtis (served 1967–1975, born 1931). The most recent governor to die was John H. Reed (served 1959–1967, born 1921), on October 31, 2012. The most recently serving governor to die was James B. Longley (served 1975–1979, born 1924), on August 16, 1980.

GovernorGubernatorial termDate of birth (and age)
Kenneth M. Curtis 1967–1975 February 8, 1931
Joseph E. Brennan 1979–1987 November 2, 1934
John R. McKernan, Jr. 1987–1995 May 20, 1948
Angus King 1995–2003 March 31, 1944
John Baldacci 2003–2011 January 30, 1955

Notes

  1. ↑ The 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.
  2. ↑ Resigned to take appointment as a minister to negotiate a treaty with Spain.
  3. 1 2 As president of the senate, acted as governor until his resignation.
  4. ↑ Resigned to take an elected seat in the United States House of Representatives.
  5. 1 2 3 As speaker of the state house, acted as governor for unexpired term.
  6. ↑ Once the new Maine Senate was sworn in, Ames saw no purpose in completing the remaining three days of the gubernatorial term and resigned.[15]
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 As president of the senate, acted as governor for unexpired term.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Died in office.
  9. 1 2 As president of the state senate, acted as governor until his senate term expired.
  10. ↑ Edward Kent won a close election, but Democrats challenged the election. He was finally declared winner by the state supreme court and sworn in on January 19, 1838.[16]
  11. ↑ Resigned; no reason is known.
  12. 1 2 3 4 Resigned to take an elected seat in the United States Senate.
  13. ↑ Resigned due to ill health.[17]
  14. ↑ Resigned once the new Maine Legislature was sworn in.[18]
  15. 1 2 As president of the senate, acted as governor for unexpired term, and was subsequently elected in his own right.
  16. ↑ Acting governor Burton Cross had been elected to the governorship, but his Senate term ended 25 hours before his term as governor began; therefore, he could not act as governor for that day. As president of the Senate, Haskell served as acting governor until Cross's inauguration.
  17. ↑ Governor LePage's second term expires on January 2, 2019; he is term limited.

References

General
Constitutions
Specific
  1. ↑ ME Const. art. V (Pt. I), § 1.
  2. ↑ ME Const. art. V (Pt. I), § 7.
  3. ↑ ME Const. art. V (Pt. I), § 12.
  4. ↑ ME Const. art. IV (Pt. III), § 3.
  5. ↑ ME Const. art. V (Pt. I), § 13.
  6. ↑ ME Const. art. V (Pt. I), § 11.
  7. ↑ Governors of Maine. Maine State Law and Legislative Reference Library.
  8. ↑ "Mass Moments: Massachusetts Loses Maine". Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities. Retrieved November 28, 2010.
  9. ↑ ME Const. art. V (Pt. I), § 2, orig.
  10. ↑ ME Const. Amend. 23.
  11. 1 2 ME Const. Amend. 84.
  12. ↑ ME Const. art. V (Pt. I), § 14.
  13. ↑ ME Const. Amend. 97.
  14. ↑ ME Const. art. V (Pt. I), § 14, orig.
  15. ↑ Hallowell Gazette (Maine): p. 2. January 9, 1822. Benjamin Ames to the Maine Legislature, January 2, 1822: "The Senators of the State of Maine, for the present political year, having been qualified to enter upon the duties of their place by having taken and subscribed the oaths required by the constitution, and chosen their President, I have no longer any authority, as I apprehend, to exercise the office of Governor, and therefore resign the same, that it may be filled according to the provisions of the constitution."
  16. ↑ "Maine Governor Edward Kent". National Governors Association. Retrieved November 28, 2010.
  17. ↑ Lucey, William Leo (1946). Edward Kavanagh: Catholic, Statesman, Diplomat, from Maine 1795–1844: p. 22. College of the Holy Cross. Reprinted 2006, Kessinger Publishing. ISBN 1-4286-5468-2.
  18. ↑ The Pittsfield Sun (Pittsfield, MA): p. 2. January 11, 1844. "Hon. David Dunn, as Speaker of the House for 1843, entered upon the discharge of the duties of that office on Tuesday, and continued to discharge them until he had completed the administration of the necessary oaths to the members of the Senate and House, yesterday. He then resigned that place, and took his seat in the House."
  19. ↑ "Williamson, William Durkee". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved January 30, 2010.
  20. ↑ "Maine Governor Albion Keith Parris". National Governors Association. Retrieved January 30, 2010.
  21. ↑ "Lincoln, Enoth." Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
  22. ↑ "Dunlap, Robert Pinckney." Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
  23. ↑ "Fairfield, John." Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
  24. ↑ "Kavanaugh, Edward". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved January 30, 2010.
  25. ↑ "Anderson, Hugh Johnston." Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
  26. ↑ "Morrill, Anson Peasley." Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
  27. ↑ "Hamlin, Hannibal." Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
  28. ↑ "Morrill, Lot Myrick." Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
  29. ↑ "Perham, Sydney." Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
  30. ↑ "Dingley, Nelson, Jr." Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
  31. ↑ "Plaisted, Harris Merrill." Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
  32. ↑ "Burleigh, Edwin Chick." Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
  33. ↑ "Powers, Llewellyn." Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
  34. ↑ "Fernald, Bert Manfred." Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
  35. ↑ "Brewster, Ralph Owen." Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
  36. ↑ "Maine Governor Horace Augustus Hildreth." National Governors Association. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
  37. ↑ "Maine Governor Frederick George Payne". National Governors Association. Retrieved January 30, 2010.
  38. ↑ "Maine Governor Edmund Sixtus Muskie". National Governors Association. Retrieved January 30, 2010.
  39. ↑ "Maine Governor Kenneth M. Curtis." National Governors Association. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
  40. ↑ "Brennan, Joseph Edward." Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
  41. ↑ "McKernan, John Rettie, Jr." Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
  42. ↑ "Baldacci, John Elias." Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
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