# List of governors of Kansas

The governor of Kansas is the head of state of Kansas and the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces. The governor has a duty to enforce state laws, and the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Kansas Legislature, to convene the legislature at any time, and to grant pardons.
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 Democrat Laura Kelly, who took office on January 14, 2019.

## List of governors
### Kansas Territory

Kansas Territory was organized on May 30, 1854, from land that had previously been part of Missouri Territory. Despite existing only for six years, it had six governors appointed by the president of the United States.
Governors of Kansas Territory :
| No. | Governor | Term in office | Appointed by |
| 1 | Andrew Horatio Reeder (1807–1864) | June 29, 1854 – July 31, 1855 (removed) | Franklin Pierce |
| 2 | Wilson Shannon (1802–1877) | August 10, 1855 – August 18, 1856 (resigned) | Franklin Pierce |
| 3 | John W. Geary (1819–1873) | July 31, 1856 – March 4, 1857 (resigned) | Franklin Pierce |
| 4 | Robert J. Walker (1801–1869) | March 30, 1857 – December 17, 1857 (resigned) | James Buchanan |
| 5 | James W. Denver (1817–1892) | February 24, 1858 – November 8, 1858 (resigned) | James Buchanan |
| 6 | Samuel Medary (1801–1864) | November 23, 1858 – December 20, 1860 (resigned) | James Buchanan |

### State of Kansas

The eastern bulk of Kansas Territory was admitted to the Union as Kansas on January 29, 1861. 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. 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. 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; the 1972 amendment changed it so that, in such an event, the lieutenant governor becomes governor.
Until 2018, there was no age or residency requirement to run for the office; in 2017, three teenagers were doing so. In 2018, a law was passed establishing the age to run for governor and lieutenant governor at 25.
Governors of the State of Kansas :
| No. | Governor | Term in office | Party | Election | Lt. Governor | Lt. Governor |
| 1 | Charles L. Robinson (1818–1894) | February 9, 1861 – January 12, 1863 (lost nomination) | Republican | 1859 | | Joseph Pomeroy Root |
| 2 | Thomas Carney (1824–1888) | January 12, 1863 – January 9, 1865 (lost nomination) | Republican | 1862 | | Thomas A. Osborn |
| 3 | Samuel J. Crawford (1835–1913) | January 9, 1865 – November 4, 1868 (resigned) | Republican | 1864 | | James McGrew |
| 3 | Samuel J. Crawford (1835–1913) | January 9, 1865 – November 4, 1868 (resigned) | Republican | 1866 | | Nehemiah Green |
| 4 | Nehemiah Green (1837–1890) | November 4, 1868 – January 11, 1869 (successor took office) | Republican | Succeeded from lieutenant governor | Vacant | Vacant |
| 5 | James M. Harvey (1833–1894) | January 11, 1869 – January 13, 1873 (did not run) | Republican | 1868 | | Charles Vernon Eskridge |
| 5 | James M. Harvey (1833–1894) | January 11, 1869 – January 13, 1873 (did not run) | Republican | 1870 | | Peter Percival Elder |
| 6 | Thomas A. Osborn (1836–1898) | January 13, 1873 – January 8, 1877 (did not run) | Republican | 1872 | | Elias S. Stover |
| 6 | Thomas A. Osborn (1836–1898) | January 13, 1873 – January 8, 1877 (did not run) | Republican | 1874 | | Melville J. Salter |
| 7 | George T. Anthony (1824–1896) | January 8, 1877 – January 13, 1879 (lost nomination) | Republican | 1876 | | Melville J. Salter |
| 7 | George T. Anthony (1824–1896) | January 8, 1877 – January 13, 1879 (lost nomination) | Republican | 1876 | | Lyman U. Humphrey |
| 8 | John St. John (1833–1916) | January 13, 1879 – January 8, 1883 (lost election) | Republican | 1878 | | Lyman U. Humphrey |
| 8 | John St. John (1833–1916) | January 13, 1879 – January 8, 1883 (lost election) | Republican | 1880 | | David Wesley Finney |
| 9 | George Washington Glick (1827–1911) | January 8, 1883 – January 12, 1885 (lost election) | Democratic | 1882 | | David Wesley Finney |
| 10 | John Martin (1839–1889) | January 12, 1885 – January 14, 1889 (did not run) | Republican | 1884 | | Alexander P. Riddle |
| 10 | John Martin (1839–1889) | January 12, 1885 – January 14, 1889 (did not run) | Republican | 1886 | | Alexander P. Riddle |
| 11 | Lyman U. Humphrey (1844–1915) | January 14, 1889 – January 9, 1893 (did not run) | Republican | 1888 | | Andrew Jackson Felt |
| 11 | Lyman U. Humphrey (1844–1915) | January 14, 1889 – January 9, 1893 (did not run) | Republican | 1890 | | Andrew Jackson Felt |
| 12 | Lorenzo D. Lewelling (1846–1900) | January 9, 1893 – January 14, 1895 (lost election) | Populist | 1892 | | Percy Daniels |
| 13 | Edmund Needham Morrill (1834–1909) | January 14, 1895 – January 11, 1897 (lost election) | Republican | 1894 | | James Armstrong Troutman |
| 14 | John W. Leedy (1849–1935) | January 11, 1897 – January 9, 1899 (lost election) | Populist | 1896 | | Alexander Miller Harvey |
| 15 | William Eugene Stanley (1844–1910) | January 9, 1899 – January 12, 1903 (did not run) | Republican | 1898 | | Harry E. Richter |
| 15 | William Eugene Stanley (1844–1910) | January 9, 1899 – January 12, 1903 (did not run) | Republican | 1900 | | Harry E. Richter |
| 16 | Willis J. Bailey (1854–1932) | January 12, 1903 – January 9, 1905 (lost nomination) | Republican | 1902 | | David John Hanna |
| 17 | Edward W. Hoch (1849–1925) | January 9, 1905 – January 11, 1909 (did not run) | Republican | 1904 | | David John Hanna |
| 17 | Edward W. Hoch (1849–1925) | January 9, 1905 – January 11, 1909 (did not run) | Republican | 1906 | | William James Fitzgerald |
| 18 | Walter R. Stubbs (1858–1929) | January 11, 1909 – January 13, 1913 (did not run) | Republican | 1908 | | William James Fitzgerald |
| 18 | Walter R. Stubbs (1858–1929) | January 11, 1909 – January 13, 1913 (did not run) | Republican | 1910 | | Richard Joseph Hopkins |
| 19 | George H. Hodges (1866–1947) | January 13, 1913 – January 11, 1915 (lost election) | Democratic | 1912 | | Sheffield Ingalls |
| 20 | Arthur Capper (1865–1951) | January 11, 1915 – January 13, 1919 (did not run) | Republican | 1914 | | William Yoast Morgan |
| 20 | Arthur Capper (1865–1951) | January 11, 1915 – January 13, 1919 (did not run) | Republican | 1916 | | William Yoast Morgan |
| 21 | Henry Justin Allen (1868–1950) | January 13, 1919 – January 8, 1923 (did not run) | Republican | 1918 | | Charles Solomon Huffman |
| 21 | Henry Justin Allen (1868–1950) | January 13, 1919 – January 8, 1923 (did not run) | Republican | 1920 | | Charles Solomon Huffman |
| 22 | Jonathan M. Davis (1871–1943) | January 8, 1923 – January 12, 1925 (lost election) | Democratic | 1922 | | Benjamin S. Paulen |
| 23 | Benjamin S. Paulen (1869–1961) | January 12, 1925 – January 14, 1929 (did not run) | Republican | 1924 | | De Lanson Alson Newton Chase |
| 23 | Benjamin S. Paulen (1869–1961) | January 12, 1925 – January 14, 1929 (did not run) | Republican | 1926 | | De Lanson Alson Newton Chase |
| 24 | Clyde M. Reed (1871–1949) | January 14, 1929 – January 12, 1931 (lost nomination) | Republican | 1928 | | Jacob W. Graybill |
| 25 | Harry Hines Woodring (1887–1967) | January 12, 1931 – January 9, 1933 (lost election) | Democratic | 1930 | | Jacob W. Graybill |
| 26 | Alf Landon (1887–1987) | January 9, 1933 – January 11, 1937 (did not run) | Republican | 1932 | | Charles W. Thompson |
| 26 | Alf Landon (1887–1987) | January 9, 1933 – January 11, 1937 (did not run) | Republican | 1934 | | Charles W. Thompson |
| 27 | Walter A. Huxman (1887–1972) | January 11, 1937 – January 9, 1939 (lost election) | Democratic | 1936 | | William M. Lindsay |
| 28 | Payne Ratner (1896–1974) | January 9, 1939 – January 11, 1943 (did not run) | Republican | 1938 | | Carl E. Friend |
| 28 | Payne Ratner (1896–1974) | January 9, 1939 – January 11, 1943 (did not run) | Republican | 1940 | | Carl E. Friend |
| 29 | Andrew Frank Schoeppel (1894–1962) | January 11, 1943 – January 13, 1947 (did not run) | Republican | 1942 | | Jess C. Denious |
| 29 | Andrew Frank Schoeppel (1894–1962) | January 11, 1943 – January 13, 1947 (did not run) | Republican | 1944 | | Jess C. Denious |
| 30 | Frank Carlson (1893–1987) | January 13, 1947 – November 28, 1950 (resigned) | Republican | 1946 | | Frank L. Hagaman |
| 30 | Frank Carlson (1893–1987) | January 13, 1947 – November 28, 1950 (resigned) | Republican | 1948 | | Frank L. Hagaman |
| 31 | Frank L. Hagaman (1894–1966) | November 28, 1950 – January 8, 1951 (successor took office) | Republican | Succeeded from lieutenant governor | Vacant | Vacant |
| 32 | Edward F. Arn (1906–1998) | January 8, 1951 – January 10, 1955 (did not run) | Republican | 1950 | | Fred Hall |
| 32 | Edward F. Arn (1906–1998) | January 8, 1951 – January 10, 1955 (did not run) | Republican | 1952 | | Fred Hall |
| 33 | Fred Hall (1916–1970) | January 10, 1955 – January 3, 1957 (resigned) | Republican | 1954 | | John McCuish |
| 34 | John McCuish (1906–1962) | January 3, 1957 – January 14, 1957 (successor took office) | Republican | Succeeded from lieutenant governor | Vacant | Vacant |
| 35 | George Docking (1904–1964) | January 14, 1957 – January 9, 1961 (lost election) | Democratic | 1956 | | Joseph W. Henkle Sr. |
| 35 | George Docking (1904–1964) | January 14, 1957 – January 9, 1961 (lost election) | Democratic | 1958 | | Joseph W. Henkle Sr. |
| 36 | John Anderson Jr. (1917–2014) | January 9, 1961 – January 11, 1965 (did not run) | Republican | 1960 | | Harold H. Chase |
| 36 | John Anderson Jr. (1917–2014) | January 9, 1961 – January 11, 1965 (did not run) | Republican | 1962 | | Harold H. Chase |
| 37 | William H. Avery (1911–2009) | January 11, 1965 – January 9, 1967 (lost election) | Republican | 1964 | | John Crutcher |
| 38 | Robert Docking (1925–1983) | January 9, 1967 – January 13, 1975 (term-limited) | Democratic | 1966 | | John Crutcher |
| 38 | Robert Docking (1925–1983) | January 9, 1967 – January 13, 1975 (term-limited) | Democratic | 1968 | | James H. DeCoursey Jr. |
| 38 | Robert Docking (1925–1983) | January 9, 1967 – January 13, 1975 (term-limited) | Democratic | 1970 | | Reynolds Shultz |
| 38 | Robert Docking (1925–1983) | January 9, 1967 – January 13, 1975 (term-limited) | Democratic | 1972 | | Dave Owen |
| 39 | Robert Frederick Bennett (1927–2000) | January 13, 1975 – January 8, 1979 (lost election) | Republican | 1974 | | Shelby Smith |
| 40 | John W. Carlin (b. 1940) | January 8, 1979 – January 12, 1987 (term-limited) | Democratic | 1978 | | Paul Dugan |
| 40 | John W. Carlin (b. 1940) | January 8, 1979 – January 12, 1987 (term-limited) | Democratic | 1982 | | Thomas Docking |
| 41 | Mike Hayden (b. 1944) | January 12, 1987 – January 14, 1991 (lost election) | Republican | 1986 | | Jack D. Walker |
| 42 | Joan Finney (1925–2001) | January 14, 1991 – January 9, 1995 (did not run) | Democratic | 1990 | | Jim Francisco |
| 43 | Bill Graves (b. 1953) | January 9, 1995 – January 13, 2003 (term-limited) | Republican | 1994 | | Sheila Frahm (resigned June 11, 1996) |
| Vacant ||
| 43 | Bill Graves (b. 1953) | January 9, 1995 – January 13, 2003 (term-limited) | Republican | 1994 | | Gary Sherrer (appointed July 18, 1996) |
| 43 | Bill Graves (b. 1953) | January 9, 1995 – January 13, 2003 (term-limited) | Republican | 1998 | | Gary Sherrer (appointed July 18, 1996) |
| 44 | Kathleen Sebelius (b. 1948) | January 13, 2003 – April 28, 2009 (resigned) | Democratic | 2002 | | John E. Moore |
| 44 | Kathleen Sebelius (b. 1948) | January 13, 2003 – April 28, 2009 (resigned) | Democratic | 2006 | | Mark Parkinson |
| 45 | Mark Parkinson (b. 1957) | April 28, 2009 – January 10, 2011 (did not run) | Democratic | Succeeded from lieutenant governor | Vacant | Vacant |
| 45 | Mark Parkinson (b. 1957) | April 28, 2009 – January 10, 2011 (did not run) | Democratic | Succeeded from lieutenant governor | | Troy Findley (appointed May 15, 2009) |
| 46 | Sam Brownback (b. 1956) | January 10, 2011 – January 31, 2018 (resigned) | Republican | 2010 | | Jeff Colyer |
| 46 | Sam Brownback (b. 1956) | January 10, 2011 – January 31, 2018 (resigned) | Republican | 2014 | | Jeff Colyer |
| 47 | Jeff Colyer (b. 1960) | January 31, 2018 – January 14, 2019 (lost nomination) | Republican | Succeeded from lieutenant governor | Vacant | Vacant |
| 47 | Jeff Colyer (b. 1960) | January 31, 2018 – January 14, 2019 (lost nomination) | Republican | Succeeded from lieutenant governor | | Tracey Mann (appointed February 14, 2018) |
| 48 | Laura Kelly (b. 1950) | January 14, 2019 – Incumbent | Democratic | 2018 | | Lynn Rogers (resigned January 2, 2021) |
| 48 | Laura Kelly (b. 1950) | January 14, 2019 – Incumbent | Democratic | 2018 | | David Toland (appointed January 2, 2021) |
| 48 | Laura Kelly (b. 1950) | January 14, 2019 – Incumbent | Democratic | 2022 | | David Toland (appointed January 2, 2021) |