# List of governors of Rhode Island

The governor of Rhode Island is the head of government of Rhode Island and serves as commander-in-chief of the U.S. state's Army National Guard and Air National Guard. The current governor is Dan McKee.

## Governors

Rhode Island was one of the original Thirteen Colonies and was admitted as a state on May 29, 1790. Before it declared its independence, Rhode Island was a colony of the Kingdom of Great Britain.
The state initially continued operating under the provisions of its 1663 charter, which simply said that the governor and deputy-governor would be elected from time to time. The 1842 constitution formalized the terms for governor and lieutenant governor to be one year, beginning on the first Tuesday of May after the election. Amendment XVI, taking effect in 1911, changed the term to be two years beginning from the first Tuesday in the January after the election. Terms were lengthened to four years in 1992, but governors were now limited to succeeding themselves only once. A former governor can run again after a four year break. Should the office of governor be vacant, the lieutenant governor becomes governor. The governor and the lieutenant governor are not officially elected on the same ticket.
Governors of the State of Rhode Island :
| No. | Governor | Term in office | Party | Election | Lt. Governor | Lt. Governor |
| 1 | Nicholas Cooke (1717–1782) | November 7, 1775 – May 6, 1778 (did not run) | None | 1776 | | William Bradford |
| 1 | Nicholas Cooke (1717–1782) | November 7, 1775 – May 6, 1778 (did not run) | None | 1777 | | William Bradford |
| 2 | William Greene (1731–1809) | May 6, 1778 – May 3, 1786 (lost election) | None | 1778 | | Jabez Bowen |
| 2 | William Greene (1731–1809) | May 6, 1778 – May 3, 1786 (lost election) | None | 1779 | | Jabez Bowen |
| 2 | William Greene (1731–1809) | May 6, 1778 – May 3, 1786 (lost election) | None | 1780 | | William West |
| 2 | William Greene (1731–1809) | May 6, 1778 – May 3, 1786 (lost election) | None | 1781 | | Jabez Bowen |
| 2 | William Greene (1731–1809) | May 6, 1778 – May 3, 1786 (lost election) | None | 1782 | | Jabez Bowen |
| 2 | William Greene (1731–1809) | May 6, 1778 – May 3, 1786 (lost election) | None | 1783 | | Jabez Bowen |
| 2 | William Greene (1731–1809) | May 6, 1778 – May 3, 1786 (lost election) | None | 1784 | | Jabez Bowen |
| 2 | William Greene (1731–1809) | May 6, 1778 – May 3, 1786 (lost election) | None | 1785 | | Jabez Bowen |
| 3 | John Collins (1717–1795) | May 3, 1786 – May 5, 1790 (lost election) | None | 1786 | | Daniel Owen |
| 3 | John Collins (1717–1795) | May 3, 1786 – May 5, 1790 (lost election) | None | 1787 | | Daniel Owen |
| 3 | John Collins (1717–1795) | May 3, 1786 – May 5, 1790 (lost election) | None | 1788 | | Daniel Owen |
| 3 | John Collins (1717–1795) | May 3, 1786 – May 5, 1790 (lost election) | None | 1789 | | Daniel Owen |
| 4 | Arthur Fenner (1745–1805) | May 5, 1790 – October 15, 1805 (died in office) | Country | 1790 | | Samuel J. Potter |
| 4 | Arthur Fenner (1745–1805) | May 5, 1790 – October 15, 1805 (died in office) | Country | 1791 | | Samuel J. Potter |
| 4 | Arthur Fenner (1745–1805) | May 5, 1790 – October 15, 1805 (died in office) | Country | 1792 | | Samuel J. Potter |
| 4 | Arthur Fenner (1745–1805) | May 5, 1790 – October 15, 1805 (died in office) | Country | 1793 | | Samuel J. Potter |
| 4 | Arthur Fenner (1745–1805) | May 5, 1790 – October 15, 1805 (died in office) | Country | 1794 | | Samuel J. Potter |
| 4 | Arthur Fenner (1745–1805) | May 5, 1790 – October 15, 1805 (died in office) | Country | 1795 | | Samuel J. Potter |
| 4 | Arthur Fenner (1745–1805) | May 5, 1790 – October 15, 1805 (died in office) | Country | 1796 | | Samuel J. Potter |
| 4 | Arthur Fenner (1745–1805) | May 5, 1790 – October 15, 1805 (died in office) | Country | 1797 | | Samuel J. Potter |
| 4 | Arthur Fenner (1745–1805) | May 5, 1790 – October 15, 1805 (died in office) | Country | 1798 | | Samuel J. Potter |
| 4 | Arthur Fenner (1745–1805) | May 5, 1790 – October 15, 1805 (died in office) | Country | 1799 | | George Brown |
| 4 | Arthur Fenner (1745–1805) | May 5, 1790 – October 15, 1805 (died in office) | Country | 1800 | | Samuel J. Potter |
| 4 | Arthur Fenner (1745–1805) | May 5, 1790 – October 15, 1805 (died in office) | Country | 1801 | | Samuel J. Potter |
| 4 | Arthur Fenner (1745–1805) | May 5, 1790 – October 15, 1805 (died in office) | Country | 1802 | | Samuel J. Potter |
| 4 | Arthur Fenner (1745–1805) | May 5, 1790 – October 15, 1805 (died in office) | Country | 1803 | | Paul Mumford (died July 20, 1805) |
| 4 | Arthur Fenner (1745–1805) | May 5, 1790 – October 15, 1805 (died in office) | Country | 1804 | | Paul Mumford (died July 20, 1805) |
| 4 | Arthur Fenner (1745–1805) | May 5, 1790 – October 15, 1805 (died in office) | Country | 1805 | | Paul Mumford (died July 20, 1805) |
| Vacant ||
| 5 | Henry Smith (1766–1818) | October 15, 1805 – May 7, 1806 (lost election) | Democratic- Republican | Succeeded from president of the Senate | Vacant | Vacant |
| 6 | Isaac Wilbour (1763–1837) | May 7, 1806 – May 6, 1807 (successor took office) | Democratic- Republican | 1806 | | Acting as governor |
| 7 | James Fenner (1771–1846) | May 6, 1807 – May 1, 1811 (lost election) | Democratic- Republican | 1807 | | Constant Taber |
| 7 | James Fenner (1771–1846) | May 6, 1807 – May 1, 1811 (lost election) | Democratic- Republican | 1808 | | Simeon Martin |
| 7 | James Fenner (1771–1846) | May 6, 1807 – May 1, 1811 (lost election) | Democratic- Republican | 1809 | | Simeon Martin |
| 7 | James Fenner (1771–1846) | May 6, 1807 – May 1, 1811 (lost election) | Democratic- Republican | 1810 | | Isaac Wilbour |
| 8 | William Jones (1753–1822) | May 1, 1811 – May 7, 1817 (lost election) | Federalist | 1811 | | Simeon Martin |
| 8 | William Jones (1753–1822) | May 1, 1811 – May 7, 1817 (lost election) | Federalist | 1812 | | Simeon Martin |
| 8 | William Jones (1753–1822) | May 1, 1811 – May 7, 1817 (lost election) | Federalist | 1813 | | Simeon Martin |
| 8 | William Jones (1753–1822) | May 1, 1811 – May 7, 1817 (lost election) | Federalist | 1814 | | Simeon Martin |
| 8 | William Jones (1753–1822) | May 1, 1811 – May 7, 1817 (lost election) | Federalist | 1815 | | Simeon Martin |
| 8 | William Jones (1753–1822) | May 1, 1811 – May 7, 1817 (lost election) | Federalist | 1816 | | Jeremiah Thurston |
| 9 | Nehemiah R. Knight (1780–1854) | May 7, 1817 – January 9, 1821 (resigned) | Democratic- Republican | 1817 | | Edward Wilcox |
| 9 | Nehemiah R. Knight (1780–1854) | May 7, 1817 – January 9, 1821 (resigned) | Democratic- Republican | 1818 | | Edward Wilcox |
| 9 | Nehemiah R. Knight (1780–1854) | May 7, 1817 – January 9, 1821 (resigned) | Democratic- Republican | 1819 | | Edward Wilcox |
| 9 | Nehemiah R. Knight (1780–1854) | May 7, 1817 – January 9, 1821 (resigned) | Democratic- Republican | 1820 | | Edward Wilcox |
| — | Edward Wilcox (unknown) | January 9, 1821 – May 2, 1821 (did not run) | Democratic- Republican | Succeeded from lieutenant governor | Vacant | Vacant |
| 10 | William C. Gibbs (1787–1871) | May 2, 1821 – May 5, 1824 (did not run) | Democratic- Republican | 1821 | | Caleb Earle |
| 10 | William C. Gibbs (1787–1871) | May 2, 1821 – May 5, 1824 (did not run) | Democratic- Republican | 1822 | | Caleb Earle |
| 10 | William C. Gibbs (1787–1871) | May 2, 1821 – May 5, 1824 (did not run) | Democratic- Republican | 1823 | | Caleb Earle |
| 11 | James Fenner (1771–1846) | May 5, 1824 – May 4, 1831 (lost election) | Democratic- Republican | 1824 | | Charles Collins |
| 11 | James Fenner (1771–1846) | May 5, 1824 – May 4, 1831 (lost election) | Democratic- Republican | 1825 | | Charles Collins |
| 11 | James Fenner (1771–1846) | May 5, 1824 – May 4, 1831 (lost election) | Democratic- Republican | 1826 | | Charles Collins |
| 11 | James Fenner (1771–1846) | May 5, 1824 – May 4, 1831 (lost election) | Democratic- Republican | 1827 | | Charles Collins |
| 11 | James Fenner (1771–1846) | May 5, 1824 – May 4, 1831 (lost election) | Democratic- Republican | 1828 | | Charles Collins |
| 11 | James Fenner (1771–1846) | May 5, 1824 – May 4, 1831 (lost election) | Democratic- Republican | 1829 | | Charles Collins |
| 11 | James Fenner (1771–1846) | May 5, 1824 – May 4, 1831 (lost election) | Democratic- Republican | 1830 | | Charles Collins |
| 12 | Lemuel H. Arnold (1792–1852) | May 4, 1831 – May 1, 1833 (lost election) | National Republican | 1831 | | Charles Collins |
| 12 | Lemuel H. Arnold (1792–1852) | May 4, 1831 – May 1, 1833 (lost election) | National Republican | 1832 | | Charles Collins |
| 13 | John Brown Francis (1791–1864) | May 1, 1833 – May 2, 1838 (lost election) | Democratic- Republican/ Anti-Masonic | 1833 | | Jeffrey Hazard |
| 13 | John Brown Francis (1791–1864) | May 1, 1833 – May 2, 1838 (lost election) | Democratic | 1834 | | Jeffrey Hazard |
| 13 | John Brown Francis (1791–1864) | May 1, 1833 – May 2, 1838 (lost election) | Democratic | 1835 | | George Engs |
| 13 | John Brown Francis (1791–1864) | May 1, 1833 – May 2, 1838 (lost election) | Democratic | 1836 | | Jeffrey Hazard |
| 13 | John Brown Francis (1791–1864) | May 1, 1833 – May 2, 1838 (lost election) | Democratic | 1837 | | Benjamin Babock Thurston |
| 14 | William Sprague III (1799–1856) | May 2, 1838 – May 2, 1839 (lost election) | Whig | 1838 | | Joseph Childs |
| 15 | Samuel Ward King (1786–1851) | May 2, 1839 – May 2, 1843 (did not run) | Whig | 1839 | | Byron Diman |
| 15 | Samuel Ward King (1786–1851) | May 2, 1839 – May 2, 1843 (did not run) | Whig | 1840 | | Byron Diman |
| 15 | Samuel Ward King (1786–1851) | May 2, 1839 – May 2, 1843 (did not run) | Whig | 1841 | | Byron Diman |
| 15 | Samuel Ward King (1786–1851) | May 2, 1839 – May 2, 1843 (did not run) | Whig | 1842 | | Byron Diman |
| 16 | James Fenner (1771–1846) | May 2, 1843 – May 6, 1845 (lost election) | Law and Order | 1843 | | Byron Diman |
| 16 | James Fenner (1771–1846) | May 2, 1843 – May 6, 1845 (lost election) | Law and Order | 1844 | | Byron Diman |
| 17 | Charles Jackson (1797–1876) | May 6, 1845 – May 6, 1846 (lost election) | Liberation | 1845 | | Byron Diman |
| 18 | Byron Diman (1795–1865) | May 6, 1846 – May 4, 1847 (did not run) | Law and Order | 1846 | | Elisha Harris |
| 19 | Elisha Harris (1791–1861) | May 4, 1847 – May 1, 1849 (did not run) | Whig | 1847 | | Edward W. Lawton |
| 19 | Elisha Harris (1791–1861) | May 4, 1847 – May 1, 1849 (did not run) | Whig | 1848 | | Edward W. Lawton |
| 20 | Henry B. Anthony (1815–1884) | May 1, 1849 – May 6, 1851 (did not run) | Whig | 1849 | | Thomas Whipple |
| 20 | Henry B. Anthony (1815–1884) | May 1, 1849 – May 6, 1851 (did not run) | Whig | 1850 | | Thomas Whipple |
| 21 | Philip Allen (1785–1865) | May 6, 1851 – July 20, 1853 (resigned) | Democratic | 1851 | | William Beach Lawrence |
| 21 | Philip Allen (1785–1865) | May 6, 1851 – July 20, 1853 (resigned) | Democratic | 1852 | | Samuel G. Arnold |
| 21 | Philip Allen (1785–1865) | May 6, 1851 – July 20, 1853 (resigned) | Democratic | 1853 | | Francis M. Dimond |
| 22 | Francis M. Dimond (1796–1859) | July 20, 1853 – May 2, 1854 (lost election) | Democratic | Succeeded from lieutenant governor | Vacant | Vacant |
| 23 | William W. Hoppin (1807–1890) | May 2, 1854 – May 26, 1857 (did not run) | Whig | 1854 | | John J. Reynolds |
| 23 | William W. Hoppin (1807–1890) | May 2, 1854 – May 26, 1857 (did not run) | Whig | 1855 | | Anderson C. Rose |
| 23 | William W. Hoppin (1807–1890) | May 2, 1854 – May 26, 1857 (did not run) | Whig | 1856 | | Nicholas Brown III |
| 24 | Elisha Dyer (1811–1890) | May 26, 1857 – May 31, 1859 (did not run) | Republican | 1857 | | Thomas G. Turner |
| 24 | Elisha Dyer (1811–1890) | May 26, 1857 – May 31, 1859 (did not run) | Republican | 1858 | | Thomas G. Turner |
| 25 | Thomas G. Turner (1810–1875) | May 31, 1859 – May 29, 1860 (lost nomination) | Republican | 1859 | | Isaac Saunders |
| 26 | William Sprague IV (1830–1915) | May 29, 1860 – March 3, 1863 (resigned) | Democratic | 1860 | | J. Russell Bullock |
| 26 | William Sprague IV (1830–1915) | May 29, 1860 – March 3, 1863 (resigned) | Democratic | 1861 | | J. Russell Bullock |
| 26 | William Sprague IV (1830–1915) | May 29, 1860 – March 3, 1863 (resigned) | Democratic | 1862 | | Samuel G. Arnold (resigned December 1, 1862) |
| Vacant ||
| 27 | William C. Cozzens (1811–1876) | March 3, 1863 – May 26, 1863 (lost election) | Democratic | Succeeded from president of the Senate | Vacant | Vacant |
| 28 | James Y. Smith (1809–1876) | May 26, 1863 – May 29, 1866 (did not run) | Republican | 1863 | | Seth Padelford |
| 28 | James Y. Smith (1809–1876) | May 26, 1863 – May 29, 1866 (did not run) | Republican | 1864 | | Seth Padelford |
| 28 | James Y. Smith (1809–1876) | May 26, 1863 – May 29, 1866 (did not run) | Republican | 1865 | | Duncan Pell |
| 29 | Ambrose Burnside (1824–1881) | May 29, 1866 – May 25, 1869 (did not run) | Republican | 1866 | | William Greene |
| 29 | Ambrose Burnside (1824–1881) | May 29, 1866 – May 25, 1869 (did not run) | Republican | 1867 | | William Greene |
| 29 | Ambrose Burnside (1824–1881) | May 29, 1866 – May 25, 1869 (did not run) | Republican | 1868 | | Pardon Stevens |
| 30 | Seth Padelford (1807–1878) | May 25, 1869 – May 27, 1873 (did not run) | Republican | 1869 | | Pardon Stevens |
| 30 | Seth Padelford (1807–1878) | May 25, 1869 – May 27, 1873 (did not run) | Republican | 1870 | | Pardon Stevens |
| 30 | Seth Padelford (1807–1878) | May 25, 1869 – May 27, 1873 (did not run) | Republican | 1871 | | Pardon Stevens |
| 30 | Seth Padelford (1807–1878) | May 25, 1869 – May 27, 1873 (did not run) | Republican | 1872 | | Charles Cutler |
| 31 | Henry Howard (1826–1905) | May 27, 1873 – May 25, 1875 (did not run) | Republican | 1873 | | Charles C. Van Zandt |
| 31 | Henry Howard (1826–1905) | May 27, 1873 – May 25, 1875 (did not run) | Republican | 1874 | | Charles C. Van Zandt |
| 32 | Henry Lippitt (1818–1891) | May 25, 1875 – May 29, 1877 (did not run) | Republican | 1875 | | Henry Tillinghast Sisson |
| 32 | Henry Lippitt (1818–1891) | May 25, 1875 – May 29, 1877 (did not run) | Republican | 1876 | | Henry Tillinghast Sisson |
| 33 | Charles C. Van Zandt (1830–1894) | May 29, 1877 – May 25, 1880 (did not run) | Republican | 1877 | | Albert Howard |
| 33 | Charles C. Van Zandt (1830–1894) | May 29, 1877 – May 25, 1880 (did not run) | Republican | 1878 | | Albert Howard |
| 33 | Charles C. Van Zandt (1830–1894) | May 29, 1877 – May 25, 1880 (did not run) | Republican | 1879 | | Albert Howard |
| 34 | Alfred H. Littlefield (1829–1893) | May 25, 1880 – May 29, 1883 (did not run) | Republican | 1880 | | Henry Fay |
| 34 | Alfred H. Littlefield (1829–1893) | May 25, 1880 – May 29, 1883 (did not run) | Republican | 1881 | | Henry Fay |
| 34 | Alfred H. Littlefield (1829–1893) | May 25, 1880 – May 29, 1883 (did not run) | Republican | 1882 | | Henry Fay |
| 35 | Augustus O. Bourn (1834–1925) | May 29, 1883 – May 26, 1885 (did not run) | Republican | 1883 | | Oscar Rathbun |
| 35 | Augustus O. Bourn (1834–1925) | May 29, 1883 – May 26, 1885 (did not run) | Republican | 1884 | | Oscar Rathbun |
| 36 | George P. Wetmore (1846–1921) | May 26, 1885 – May 31, 1887 (lost election) | Republican | 1885 | | Lucius B. Darling |
| 36 | George P. Wetmore (1846–1921) | May 26, 1885 – May 31, 1887 (lost election) | Republican | 1886 | | Lucius B. Darling |
| 37 | John W. Davis (1826–1907) | May 31, 1887 – May 29, 1888 (lost election) | Democratic | 1887 | | Samuel R. Honey |
| 38 | Royal C. Taft (1823–1912) | May 29, 1888 – May 28, 1889 (did not run) | Republican | 1888 | | Enos Lapham |
| 39 | Herbert W. Ladd (1843–1913) | May 28, 1889 – May 27, 1890 (lost election) | Republican | 1889 | | Daniel Littlefield |
| 40 | John W. Davis (1826–1907) | May 27, 1890 – May 26, 1891 (lost election) | Democratic | 1890 | | William T. C. Wardwell |
| 41 | Herbert W. Ladd (1843–1913) | May 26, 1891 – May 31, 1892 (did not run) | Republican | 1891 | | Henry A. Stearns |
| 42 | Daniel Russell Brown (1848–1919) | May 31, 1892 – May 29, 1895 (did not run) | Republican | 1892 | | Melville Bull |
| 42 | Daniel Russell Brown (1848–1919) | May 31, 1892 – May 29, 1895 (did not run) | Republican | 1893 | | Melville Bull |
| 42 | Daniel Russell Brown (1848–1919) | May 31, 1892 – May 29, 1895 (did not run) | Republican | 1894 | | Edwin Allen |
| 43 | Charles W. Lippitt (1846–1924) | May 29, 1895 – May 25, 1897 (did not run) | Republican | 1895 | | Edwin Allen |
| 43 | Charles W. Lippitt (1846–1924) | May 29, 1895 – May 25, 1897 (did not run) | Republican | 1896 | | Edwin Allen |
| 44 | Elisha Dyer Jr. (1839–1906) | May 25, 1897 – May 29, 1900 (did not run) | Republican | 1897 | | Aram J. Pothier |
| 44 | Elisha Dyer Jr. (1839–1906) | May 25, 1897 – May 29, 1900 (did not run) | Republican | 1898 | | William Gregory |
| 44 | Elisha Dyer Jr. (1839–1906) | May 25, 1897 – May 29, 1900 (did not run) | Republican | 1899 | | William Gregory |
| 45 | William Gregory (1849–1901) | May 29, 1900 – December 16, 1901 (died in office) | Republican | 1900 | | Charles D. Kimball |
| 46 | Charles D. Kimball (1859–1930) | December 16, 1901 – January 6, 1903 (lost election) | Republican | Succeeded from lieutenant governor | Vacant | Vacant |
| 46 | Charles D. Kimball (1859–1930) | December 16, 1901 – January 6, 1903 (lost election) | Republican | 1901 | Vacant | Vacant |
| 46 | Charles D. Kimball (1859–1930) | December 16, 1901 – January 6, 1903 (lost election) | Republican | 1901 | | George L. Shepley (elected February 18, 1902) |
| 47 | Lucius F. C. Garvin (1841–1922) | January 6, 1903 – January 3, 1905 (lost election) | Democratic | 1902 | | Adelard Archambault |
| 47 | Lucius F. C. Garvin (1841–1922) | January 6, 1903 – January 3, 1905 (lost election) | Democratic | 1903 | | George H. Utter |
| 48 | George H. Utter (1854–1912) | January 3, 1905 – January 1, 1907 (lost election) | Republican | 1904 | | Frederick H. Jackson |
| 48 | George H. Utter (1854–1912) | January 3, 1905 – January 1, 1907 (lost election) | Republican | 1905 | | Frederick H. Jackson |
| 49 | James H. Higgins (1876–1927) | January 1, 1907 – January 5, 1909 (did not run) | Democratic | 1906 | | Frederick H. Jackson |
| 49 | James H. Higgins (1876–1927) | January 1, 1907 – January 5, 1909 (did not run) | Democratic | 1907 | | Ralph Watrous |
| 50 | Aram J. Pothier (1854–1928) | January 5, 1909 – January 5, 1915 (did not run) | Republican | 1908 | | Arthur W. Dennis |
| 50 | Aram J. Pothier (1854–1928) | January 5, 1909 – January 5, 1915 (did not run) | Republican | 1909 | | Emery J. San Souci |
| 50 | Aram J. Pothier (1854–1928) | January 5, 1909 – January 5, 1915 (did not run) | Republican | 1910 | | Emery J. San Souci |
| 50 | Aram J. Pothier (1854–1928) | January 5, 1909 – January 5, 1915 (did not run) | Republican | 1911 | | Emery J. San Souci |
| 50 | Aram J. Pothier (1854–1928) | January 5, 1909 – January 5, 1915 (did not run) | Republican | 1912 | | Rosewell Burchard |
| 51 | Robert Livingston Beeckman (1866–1935) | January 5, 1915 – January 4, 1921 (did not run) | Republican | 1914 | | Emery J. San Souci |
| 51 | Robert Livingston Beeckman (1866–1935) | January 5, 1915 – January 4, 1921 (did not run) | Republican | 1916 | | Emery J. San Souci |
| 51 | Robert Livingston Beeckman (1866–1935) | January 5, 1915 – January 4, 1921 (did not run) | Republican | 1918 | | Emery J. San Souci |
| 52 | Emery J. San Souci (1857–1936) | January 4, 1921 – January 2, 1923 (lost nomination) | Republican | 1920 | | Harold Gross |
| 53 | William S. Flynn (1885–1966) | January 2, 1923 – January 6, 1925 (did not run) | Democratic | 1922 | | Felix A. Toupin |
| 54 | Aram J. Pothier (1854–1928) | January 6, 1925 – February 4, 1928 (died in office) | Republican | 1924 | | Nathaniel W. Smith |
| 54 | Aram J. Pothier (1854–1928) | January 6, 1925 – February 4, 1928 (died in office) | Republican | 1926 | | Norman S. Case |
| 55 | Norman S. Case (1888–1967) | February 4, 1928 – January 3, 1933 (lost election) | Republican | Succeeded from lieutenant governor | Vacant | Vacant |
| 55 | Norman S. Case (1888–1967) | February 4, 1928 – January 3, 1933 (lost election) | Republican | 1928 | | James G. Connelly |
| 55 | Norman S. Case (1888–1967) | February 4, 1928 – January 3, 1933 (lost election) | Republican | 1930 | | James G. Connelly |
| 56 | Theodore F. Green (1867–1966) | January 3, 1933 – January 5, 1937 (did not run) | Democratic | 1932 | | Robert E. Quinn |
| 56 | Theodore F. Green (1867–1966) | January 3, 1933 – January 5, 1937 (did not run) | Democratic | 1934 | | Robert E. Quinn |
| 57 | Robert E. Quinn (1894–1975) | January 5, 1937 – January 3, 1939 (lost election) | Democratic | 1936 | | Raymond E. Jordan |
| 58 | William Henry Vanderbilt III (1901–1981) | January 3, 1939 – January 7, 1941 (lost election) | Republican | 1938 | | James O. McManus |
| 59 | J. Howard McGrath (1903–1966) | January 7, 1941 – October 6, 1945 (resigned) | Democratic | 1940 | | Louis W. Cappelli |
| 59 | J. Howard McGrath (1903–1966) | January 7, 1941 – October 6, 1945 (resigned) | Democratic | 1942 | | Louis W. Cappelli |
| 59 | J. Howard McGrath (1903–1966) | January 7, 1941 – October 6, 1945 (resigned) | Democratic | 1944 | | John Pastore |
| 60 | John Pastore (1907–2000) | October 6, 1945 – December 19, 1950 (resigned) | Democratic | Succeeded from lieutenant governor | | John S. McKiernan |
| 60 | John Pastore (1907–2000) | October 6, 1945 – December 19, 1950 (resigned) | Democratic | 1946 | | John S. McKiernan |
| 60 | John Pastore (1907–2000) | October 6, 1945 – December 19, 1950 (resigned) | Democratic | 1948 | | John S. McKiernan |
| 61 | John S. McKiernan (1911–1997) | December 19, 1950 – January 2, 1951 (successor took office) | Democratic | Succeeded from lieutenant governor | Vacant | Vacant |
| 62 | Dennis J. Roberts (1903–1994) | January 2, 1951 – January 6, 1959 (lost election) | Democratic | 1950 | | John S. McKiernan |
| 62 | Dennis J. Roberts (1903–1994) | January 2, 1951 – January 6, 1959 (lost election) | Democratic | 1952 | | John S. McKiernan |
| 62 | Dennis J. Roberts (1903–1994) | January 2, 1951 – January 6, 1959 (lost election) | Democratic | 1954 | | John S. McKiernan |
| 62 | Dennis J. Roberts (1903–1994) | January 2, 1951 – January 6, 1959 (lost election) | Democratic | 1956 | | Armand H. Cote |
| 63 | Christopher Del Sesto (1907–1973) | January 6, 1959 – January 3, 1961 (lost election) | Republican | 1958 | | John A. Notte Jr. |
| 64 | John A. Notte Jr. (1909–1983) | January 3, 1961 – January 1, 1963 (lost election) | Democratic | 1960 | | Edward P. Gallogly |
| 65 | John Chafee (1922–1999) | January 1, 1963 – January 7, 1969 (lost election) | Republican | 1962 | | Edward P. Gallogly |
| 65 | John Chafee (1922–1999) | January 1, 1963 – January 7, 1969 (lost election) | Republican | 1964 | | Giovanni Folcarelli |
| 65 | John Chafee (1922–1999) | January 1, 1963 – January 7, 1969 (lost election) | Republican | 1966 | | Joseph O'Donnell Jr. |
| 66 | Frank Licht (1916–1987) | January 7, 1969 – January 2, 1973 (did not run) | Democratic | 1968 | | J. Joseph Garrahy |
| 66 | Frank Licht (1916–1987) | January 7, 1969 – January 2, 1973 (did not run) | Democratic | 1970 | | J. Joseph Garrahy |
| 67 | Philip Noel (b. 1931) | January 2, 1973 – January 4, 1977 (did not run) | Democratic | 1972 | | J. Joseph Garrahy |
| 67 | Philip Noel (b. 1931) | January 2, 1973 – January 4, 1977 (did not run) | Democratic | 1974 | | J. Joseph Garrahy |
| 68 | J. Joseph Garrahy (1930–2012) | January 4, 1977 – January 1, 1985 (did not run) | Democratic | 1976 | | Thomas R. DiLuglio |
| 68 | J. Joseph Garrahy (1930–2012) | January 4, 1977 – January 1, 1985 (did not run) | Democratic | 1978 | | Thomas R. DiLuglio |
| 68 | J. Joseph Garrahy (1930–2012) | January 4, 1977 – January 1, 1985 (did not run) | Democratic | 1980 | | Thomas R. DiLuglio |
| 68 | J. Joseph Garrahy (1930–2012) | January 4, 1977 – January 1, 1985 (did not run) | Democratic | 1982 | | Thomas R. DiLuglio |
| 69 | Edward D. DiPrete (b. 1934) | January 1, 1985 – January 1, 1991 (lost election) | Republican | 1984 | | Richard A. Licht |
| 69 | Edward D. DiPrete (b. 1934) | January 1, 1985 – January 1, 1991 (lost election) | Republican | 1986 | | Richard A. Licht |
| 69 | Edward D. DiPrete (b. 1934) | January 1, 1985 – January 1, 1991 (lost election) | Republican | 1988 | | Roger N. Begin |
| 70 | Bruce Sundlun (1920–2011) | January 1, 1991 – January 3, 1995 (lost nomination) | Democratic | 1990 | | Roger N. Begin |
| 70 | Bruce Sundlun (1920–2011) | January 1, 1991 – January 3, 1995 (lost nomination) | Democratic | 1992 | | Robert Weygand |
| 71 | Lincoln Almond (1936–2023) | January 3, 1995 – January 7, 2003 (term-limited) | Republican | 1994 | | Robert Weygand |
| 71 | Lincoln Almond (1936–2023) | January 3, 1995 – January 7, 2003 (term-limited) | Republican | 1994 | | Bernard Jackvony |
| 71 | Lincoln Almond (1936–2023) | January 3, 1995 – January 7, 2003 (term-limited) | Republican | 1998 | | Charles Fogarty |
| 72 | Donald Carcieri (b. 1942) | January 7, 2003 – January 4, 2011 (term-limited) | Republican | 2002 | | Charles Fogarty |
| 72 | Donald Carcieri (b. 1942) | January 7, 2003 – January 4, 2011 (term-limited) | Republican | 2006 | | Elizabeth H. Roberts |
| 73 | Lincoln Chafee (b. 1953) | January 4, 2011 – January 6, 2015 (did not run) | Independent | 2010 | | Elizabeth H. Roberts |
| 74 | Gina Raimondo (b. 1971) | January 6, 2015 – March 2, 2021 (resigned) | Democratic | 2014 | | Dan McKee |
| 74 | Gina Raimondo (b. 1971) | January 6, 2015 – March 2, 2021 (resigned) | Democratic | 2018 | | Dan McKee |
| 75 | Dan McKee (b. 1951) | March 2, 2021 – Incumbent | Democratic | Succeeded from lieutenant governor | | Sabina Matos |
| 75 | Dan McKee (b. 1951) | March 2, 2021 – Incumbent | Democratic | 2022 | | Sabina Matos |