# List of governors of New Hampshire

The governor of New Hampshire is the head of government of the U.S. state of New Hampshire and is commander-in-chief of the state's military forces.
The incumbent governor is Republican Kelly Ayotte, who took office on January 9, 2025. The longest-serving governor is John Taylor Gilman, who served as governor for 14 years, from 1794 to 1805 and from 1813 to 1816.

## Governors

New Hampshire was one of the original Thirteen Colonies and was admitted as a state on June 21, 1788. Before it declared its independence, New Hampshire was a colony of the Kingdom of Great Britain.
The original 1776 Constitution of New Hampshire did not provide for a chief executive. The office of President was created by the 1784 constitution, and renamed Governor in 1792. Governors served one-year terms until an 1877 amendment increased this to two years. There have never been any term limits for the office, nor is there a lieutenant governor; should the office become vacant, the president of the New Hampshire Senate acts as governor.
Governors of the State of New Hampshire :
| No. | Governor | Term in office | Party | Election |
| 1 | Meshech Weare (1713–1786) | June 15, 1784 – June 8, 1785 (did not run) | No parties | 1784 |
| 2 | John Langdon (1741–1819) | June 8, 1785 – June 9, 1786 (lost election) | No parties | 1785 |
| 3 | John Sullivan (1740–1795) | June 9, 1786 – June 6, 1788 (lost election) | No parties | 1786 |
| 3 | John Sullivan (1740–1795) | June 9, 1786 – June 6, 1788 (lost election) | No parties | 1787 |
| 2 | John Langdon (1741–1819) | June 6, 1788 – January 22, 1789 (resigned) | No parties | 1788 |
| — | John Pickering (1737–1805) | January 22, 1789 – June 9, 1789 (lost election) | No parties | President of the Senate acting |
| 3 | John Sullivan (1740–1795) | June 9, 1789 – June 8, 1790 (did not run) | No parties | 1789 |
| 4 | Josiah Bartlett (1729–1795) | June 8, 1790 – June 5, 1794 (did not run) | No parties | 1790 |
| 4 | Josiah Bartlett (1729–1795) | June 8, 1790 – June 5, 1794 (did not run) | No parties | 1791 |
| 4 | Josiah Bartlett (1729–1795) | June 8, 1790 – June 5, 1794 (did not run) | No parties | 1792 |
| 4 | Josiah Bartlett (1729–1795) | June 8, 1790 – June 5, 1794 (did not run) | No parties | 1793 |
| 5 | John Taylor Gilman (1753–1828) | June 5, 1794 – June 6, 1805 (lost election) | Federalist | 1794 |
| 5 | John Taylor Gilman (1753–1828) | June 5, 1794 – June 6, 1805 (lost election) | Federalist | 1795 |
| 5 | John Taylor Gilman (1753–1828) | June 5, 1794 – June 6, 1805 (lost election) | Federalist | 1796 |
| 5 | John Taylor Gilman (1753–1828) | June 5, 1794 – June 6, 1805 (lost election) | Federalist | 1797 |
| 5 | John Taylor Gilman (1753–1828) | June 5, 1794 – June 6, 1805 (lost election) | Federalist | 1798 |
| 5 | John Taylor Gilman (1753–1828) | June 5, 1794 – June 6, 1805 (lost election) | Federalist | 1799 |
| 5 | John Taylor Gilman (1753–1828) | June 5, 1794 – June 6, 1805 (lost election) | Federalist | 1800 |
| 5 | John Taylor Gilman (1753–1828) | June 5, 1794 – June 6, 1805 (lost election) | Federalist | 1801 |
| 5 | John Taylor Gilman (1753–1828) | June 5, 1794 – June 6, 1805 (lost election) | Federalist | 1802 |
| 5 | John Taylor Gilman (1753–1828) | June 5, 1794 – June 6, 1805 (lost election) | Federalist | 1803 |
| 5 | John Taylor Gilman (1753–1828) | June 5, 1794 – June 6, 1805 (lost election) | Federalist | 1804 |
| 2 | John Langdon (1741–1819) | June 6, 1805 – June 13, 1809 (lost election) | Democratic- Republican | 1805 |
| 2 | John Langdon (1741–1819) | June 6, 1805 – June 13, 1809 (lost election) | Democratic- Republican | 1806 |
| 2 | John Langdon (1741–1819) | June 6, 1805 – June 13, 1809 (lost election) | Democratic- Republican | 1807 |
| 2 | John Langdon (1741–1819) | June 6, 1805 – June 13, 1809 (lost election) | Democratic- Republican | 1808 |
| 6 | Jeremiah Smith (1759–1842) | June 13, 1809 – June 7, 1810 (lost election) | Federalist | 1809 |
| 2 | John Langdon (1741–1819) | June 7, 1810 – June 6, 1812 (did not run) | Democratic- Republican | 1810 |
| 2 | John Langdon (1741–1819) | June 7, 1810 – June 6, 1812 (did not run) | Democratic- Republican | 1811 |
| 7 | William Plumer (1759–1850) | June 6, 1812 – June 5, 1813 (lost election) | Democratic- Republican | 1812 |
| 5 | John Taylor Gilman (1753–1828) | June 5, 1813 – June 6, 1816 (did not run) | Federalist | 1813 |
| 5 | John Taylor Gilman (1753–1828) | June 5, 1813 – June 6, 1816 (did not run) | Federalist | 1814 |
| 5 | John Taylor Gilman (1753–1828) | June 5, 1813 – June 6, 1816 (did not run) | Federalist | 1815 |
| 7 | William Plumer (1759–1850) | June 6, 1816 – June 7, 1819 (did not run) | Democratic- Republican | 1816 |
| 7 | William Plumer (1759–1850) | June 6, 1816 – June 7, 1819 (did not run) | Democratic- Republican | 1817 |
| 7 | William Plumer (1759–1850) | June 6, 1816 – June 7, 1819 (did not run) | Democratic- Republican | 1818 |
| 8 | Samuel Bell (1770–1850) | June 7, 1819 – June 5, 1823 (did not run) | Democratic- Republican | 1819 |
| 8 | Samuel Bell (1770–1850) | June 7, 1819 – June 5, 1823 (did not run) | Democratic- Republican | 1820 |
| 8 | Samuel Bell (1770–1850) | June 7, 1819 – June 5, 1823 (did not run) | Democratic- Republican | 1821 |
| 8 | Samuel Bell (1770–1850) | June 7, 1819 – June 5, 1823 (did not run) | Democratic- Republican | 1822 |
| 9 | Levi Woodbury (1789–1851) | June 5, 1823 – June 4, 1824 (lost election) | Democratic- Republican | 1823 |
| 10 | David L. Morril (1772–1849) | June 4, 1824 – June 8, 1827 (lost election) | Democratic- Republican | 1824 |
| 10 | David L. Morril (1772–1849) | June 4, 1824 – June 8, 1827 (lost election) | Democratic- Republican | 1825 |
| 10 | David L. Morril (1772–1849) | June 4, 1824 – June 8, 1827 (lost election) | Democratic- Republican | 1826 |
| 11 | Benjamin Pierce (1757–1839) | June 8, 1827 – June 9, 1828 (lost election) | Democratic- Republican | 1827 |
| 12 | John Bell (1765–1836) | June 9, 1828 – June 6, 1829 (lost election) | Democratic- Republican | 1828 |
| 11 | Benjamin Pierce (1757–1839) | June 6, 1829 – June 4, 1830 (did not run) | Democratic | 1829 |
| 13 | Matthew Harvey (1781–1866) | June 4, 1830 – February 28, 1831 (resigned) | Democratic | 1830 |
| — | Joseph M. Harper (1787–1865) | February 28, 1831 – June 3, 1831 (successor took office) | Democratic | President of the Senate acting |
| 14 | Samuel Dinsmoor (1766–1835) | June 3, 1831 – June 6, 1834 (did not run) | Democratic | 1831 |
| 14 | Samuel Dinsmoor (1766–1835) | June 3, 1831 – June 6, 1834 (did not run) | Democratic | 1832 |
| 14 | Samuel Dinsmoor (1766–1835) | June 3, 1831 – June 6, 1834 (did not run) | Democratic | 1833 |
| 15 | William Badger (1779–1852) | June 6, 1834 – June 2, 1836 (did not run) | Democratic | 1834 |
| 15 | William Badger (1779–1852) | June 6, 1834 – June 2, 1836 (did not run) | Democratic | 1835 |
| 16 | Isaac Hill (1788–1851) | June 2, 1836 – June 6, 1839 (did not run) | Democratic | 1836 |
| 16 | Isaac Hill (1788–1851) | June 2, 1836 – June 6, 1839 (did not run) | Democratic | 1837 |
| 16 | Isaac Hill (1788–1851) | June 2, 1836 – June 6, 1839 (did not run) | Democratic | 1838 |
| 17 | John Page (1787–1865) | June 6, 1839 – June 2, 1842 (did not run) | Democratic | 1839 |
| 17 | John Page (1787–1865) | June 6, 1839 – June 2, 1842 (did not run) | Democratic | 1840 |
| 17 | John Page (1787–1865) | June 6, 1839 – June 2, 1842 (did not run) | Democratic | 1841 |
| 18 | Henry Hubbard (1784–1857) | June 2, 1842 – June 6, 1844 (did not run) | Democratic | 1842 |
| 18 | Henry Hubbard (1784–1857) | June 2, 1842 – June 6, 1844 (did not run) | Democratic | 1843 |
| 19 | John Hardy Steele (1789–1865) | June 6, 1844 – June 5, 1846 (did not run) | Democratic | 1844 |
| 19 | John Hardy Steele (1789–1865) | June 6, 1844 – June 5, 1846 (did not run) | Democratic | 1845 |
| 20 | Anthony Colby (1792–1873) | June 5, 1846 – June 3, 1847 (lost election) | Whig | 1846 |
| 21 | Jared W. Williams (1796–1864) | June 3, 1847 – June 7, 1849 (did not run) | Democratic | 1847 |
| 21 | Jared W. Williams (1796–1864) | June 3, 1847 – June 7, 1849 (did not run) | Democratic | 1848 |
| 22 | Samuel Dinsmoor Jr. (1799–1869) | June 7, 1849 – June 3, 1852 (did not run) | Democratic | 1849 |
| 22 | Samuel Dinsmoor Jr. (1799–1869) | June 7, 1849 – June 3, 1852 (did not run) | Democratic | 1850 |
| 22 | Samuel Dinsmoor Jr. (1799–1869) | June 7, 1849 – June 3, 1852 (did not run) | Democratic | 1851 |
| 23 | Noah Martin (1801–1863) | June 3, 1852 – June 8, 1854 (did not run) | Democratic | 1852 |
| 23 | Noah Martin (1801–1863) | June 3, 1852 – June 8, 1854 (did not run) | Democratic | 1853 |
| 24 | Nathaniel B. Baker (1818–1876) | June 8, 1854 – June 7, 1855 (lost election) | Democratic | 1854 |
| 25 | Ralph Metcalf (1796–1858) | June 7, 1855 – June 4, 1857 (did not run) | Know Nothing | 1855 |
| 25 | Ralph Metcalf (1796–1858) | June 7, 1855 – June 4, 1857 (did not run) | Know Nothing | 1856 |
| 26 | William Haile (1807–1876) | June 4, 1857 – June 2, 1859 (did not run) | Republican | 1857 |
| 26 | William Haile (1807–1876) | June 4, 1857 – June 2, 1859 (did not run) | Republican | 1858 |
| 27 | Ichabod Goodwin (1794–1882) | June 2, 1859 – June 6, 1861 (lost nomination) | Republican | 1859 |
| 27 | Ichabod Goodwin (1794–1882) | June 2, 1859 – June 6, 1861 (lost nomination) | Republican | 1860 |
| 28 | Nathaniel S. Berry (1796–1894) | June 6, 1861 – June 4, 1863 (did not run) | Republican | 1861 |
| 28 | Nathaniel S. Berry (1796–1894) | June 6, 1861 – June 4, 1863 (did not run) | Republican | 1862 |
| 29 | Joseph A. Gilmore (1811–1867) | June 4, 1863 – June 8, 1865 (did not run) | Republican | 1863 |
| 29 | Joseph A. Gilmore (1811–1867) | June 4, 1863 – June 8, 1865 (did not run) | Republican | 1864 |
| 30 | Frederick Smyth (1819–1899) | June 8, 1865 – June 6, 1867 (did not run) | Republican | 1865 |
| 30 | Frederick Smyth (1819–1899) | June 8, 1865 – June 6, 1867 (did not run) | Republican | 1866 |
| 31 | Walter Harriman (1817–1884) | June 6, 1867 – June 3, 1869 (did not run) | Republican | 1867 |
| 31 | Walter Harriman (1817–1884) | June 6, 1867 – June 3, 1869 (did not run) | Republican | 1868 |
| 32 | Onslow Stearns (1810–1878) | June 3, 1869 – June 14, 1871 (did not run) | Republican | 1869 |
| 32 | Onslow Stearns (1810–1878) | June 3, 1869 – June 14, 1871 (did not run) | Republican | 1870 |
| 33 | James A. Weston (1827–1895) | June 14, 1871 – June 6, 1872 (lost election) | Democratic | 1871 |
| 34 | Ezekiel A. Straw (1819–1882) | June 6, 1872 – June 4, 1874 (did not run) | Republican | 1872 |
| 34 | Ezekiel A. Straw (1819–1882) | June 6, 1872 – June 4, 1874 (did not run) | Republican | 1873 |
| 33 | James A. Weston (1827–1895) | June 4, 1874 – June 10, 1875 (did not run) | Democratic | 1874 |
| 35 | Person Colby Cheney (1828–1901) | June 10, 1875 – June 7, 1877 (did not run) | Republican | 1875 |
| 35 | Person Colby Cheney (1828–1901) | June 10, 1875 – June 7, 1877 (did not run) | Republican | 1876 |
| 36 | Benjamin F. Prescott (1833–1895) | June 7, 1877 – June 5, 1879 (did not run) | Republican | 1877 |
| 36 | Benjamin F. Prescott (1833–1895) | June 7, 1877 – June 5, 1879 (did not run) | Republican | Mar. 1878 |
| 37 | Nathaniel Head (1828–1883) | June 5, 1879 – June 2, 1881 (did not run) | Republican | Nov. 1878 |
| 38 | Charles H. Bell (1823–1893) | June 2, 1881 – June 7, 1883 (did not run) | Republican | 1880 |
| 39 | Samuel W. Hale (1823–1891) | June 7, 1883 – June 4, 1885 (did not run) | Republican | 1882 |
| 40 | Moody Currier (1806–1898) | June 4, 1885 – June 2, 1887 (did not run) | Republican | 1884 |
| 41 | Charles H. Sawyer (1840–1908) | June 2, 1887 – June 6, 1889 (did not run) | Republican | 1886 |
| 42 | David H. Goodell (1834–1915) | June 6, 1889 – January 8, 1891 (did not run) | Republican | 1888 |
| 43 | Hiram A. Tuttle (1837–1911) | January 8, 1891 – January 5, 1893 (did not run) | Republican | 1890 |
| 44 | John Butler Smith (1838–1914) | January 5, 1893 – January 3, 1895 (did not run) | Republican | 1892 |
| 45 | Charles A. Busiel (1842–1901) | January 3, 1895 – January 7, 1897 (did not run) | Republican | 1894 |
| 46 | George A. Ramsdell (1834–1900) | January 7, 1897 – January 5, 1899 (did not run) | Republican | 1896 |
| 47 | Frank W. Rollins (1860–1915) | January 5, 1899 – January 3, 1901 (did not run) | Republican | 1898 |
| 48 | Chester B. Jordan (1839–1914) | January 3, 1901 – January 8, 1903 (did not run) | Republican | 1900 |
| 49 | Nahum J. Bachelder (1854–1934) | January 8, 1903 – January 5, 1905 (did not run) | Republican | 1902 |
| 50 | John McLane (1852–1911) | January 5, 1905 – January 3, 1907 (did not run) | Republican | 1904 |
| 51 | Charles M. Floyd (1861–1923) | January 3, 1907 – January 7, 1909 (did not run) | Republican | 1906 |
| 52 | Henry B. Quinby (1846–1924) | January 7, 1909 – January 5, 1911 (did not run) | Republican | 1908 |
| 53 | Robert P. Bass (1873–1960) | January 5, 1911 – January 2, 1913 (did not run) | Republican | 1910 |
| 54 | Samuel D. Felker (1859–1932) | January 2, 1913 – January 7, 1915 (did not run) | Democratic | 1912 |
| 55 | Rolland H. Spaulding (1873–1942) | January 7, 1915 – January 4, 1917 (did not run) | Republican | 1914 |
| 56 | Henry W. Keyes (1863–1938) | January 4, 1917 – January 2, 1919 (did not run) | Republican | 1916 |
| 57 | John H. Bartlett (1869–1952) | January 2, 1919 – January 6, 1921 (did not run) | Republican | 1918 |
| 58 | Albert O. Brown (1852–1937) | January 6, 1921 – January 4, 1923 (did not run) | Republican | 1920 |
| 59 | Fred H. Brown (1879–1955) | January 4, 1923 – January 8, 1925 (lost election) | Democratic | 1922 |
| 60 | John Gilbert Winant (1889–1947) | January 8, 1925 – January 6, 1927 (lost nomination) | Republican | 1924 |
| 61 | Huntley N. Spaulding (1869–1955) | January 6, 1927 – January 3, 1929 (did not run) | Republican | 1926 |
| 62 | Charles W. Tobey (1880–1953) | January 3, 1929 – January 8, 1931 (did not run) | Republican | 1928 |
| 60 | John Gilbert Winant (1889–1947) | January 8, 1931 – January 3, 1935 (did not run) | Republican | 1930 |
| 60 | John Gilbert Winant (1889–1947) | January 8, 1931 – January 3, 1935 (did not run) | Republican | 1932 |
| 63 | Styles Bridges (1898–1961) | January 3, 1935 – January 7, 1937 (did not run) | Republican | 1934 |
| 64 | Francis P. Murphy (1877–1958) | January 7, 1937 – January 2, 1941 (did not run) | Republican | 1936 |
| 64 | Francis P. Murphy (1877–1958) | January 7, 1937 – January 2, 1941 (did not run) | Republican | 1938 |
| 65 | Robert O. Blood (1887–1975) | January 2, 1941 – January 4, 1945 (lost nomination) | Republican | 1940 |
| 65 | Robert O. Blood (1887–1975) | January 2, 1941 – January 4, 1945 (lost nomination) | Republican | 1942 |
| 66 | Charles M. Dale (1893–1978) | January 4, 1945 – January 6, 1949 (did not run) | Republican | 1944 |
| 66 | Charles M. Dale (1893–1978) | January 4, 1945 – January 6, 1949 (did not run) | Republican | 1946 |
| 67 | Sherman Adams (1899–1986) | January 6, 1949 – January 8, 1953 (did not run) | Republican | 1948 |
| 67 | Sherman Adams (1899–1986) | January 6, 1949 – January 8, 1953 (did not run) | Republican | 1950 |
| 68 | Hugh Gregg (1917–2003) | January 8, 1953 – January 6, 1955 (did not run) | Republican | 1952 |
| 69 | Lane Dwinell (1906–1997) | January 6, 1955 – January 8, 1959 (did not run) | Republican | 1954 |
| 69 | Lane Dwinell (1906–1997) | January 6, 1955 – January 8, 1959 (did not run) | Republican | 1956 |
| 70 | Wesley Powell (1915–1981) | January 8, 1959 – January 5, 1963 (lost nomination) | Republican | 1958 |
| 70 | Wesley Powell (1915–1981) | January 8, 1959 – January 5, 1963 (lost nomination) | Republican | 1960 |
| 71 | John W. King (1916–1996) | January 5, 1963 – January 2, 1969 (did not run) | Democratic | 1962 |
| 71 | John W. King (1916–1996) | January 5, 1963 – January 2, 1969 (did not run) | Democratic | 1964 |
| 71 | John W. King (1916–1996) | January 5, 1963 – January 2, 1969 (did not run) | Democratic | 1966 |
| 72 | Walter R. Peterson Jr. (1922–2011) | January 2, 1969 – January 4, 1973 (lost nomination) | Republican | 1968 |
| 72 | Walter R. Peterson Jr. (1922–2011) | January 2, 1969 – January 4, 1973 (lost nomination) | Republican | 1970 |
| 73 | Meldrim Thomson Jr. (1912–2001) | January 4, 1973 – January 4, 1979 (lost election) | Republican | 1972 |
| 73 | Meldrim Thomson Jr. (1912–2001) | January 4, 1973 – January 4, 1979 (lost election) | Republican | 1974 |
| 73 | Meldrim Thomson Jr. (1912–2001) | January 4, 1973 – January 4, 1979 (lost election) | Republican | 1976 |
| 74 | Hugh Gallen (1924–1982) | January 4, 1979 – December 29, 1982 (died in office) | Democratic | 1978 |
| 74 | Hugh Gallen (1924–1982) | January 4, 1979 – December 29, 1982 (died in office) | Democratic | 1980 |
| — | Vesta M. Roy (1925–2002) | December 29, 1982 – January 6, 1983 (successor took office) | Republican | President of the Senate acting |
| 75 | John H. Sununu (b. 1939) | January 6, 1983 – January 5, 1989 (did not run) | Republican | 1982 |
| 75 | John H. Sununu (b. 1939) | January 6, 1983 – January 5, 1989 (did not run) | Republican | 1984 |
| 75 | John H. Sununu (b. 1939) | January 6, 1983 – January 5, 1989 (did not run) | Republican | 1986 |
| 76 | Judd Gregg (b. 1947) | January 5, 1989 – January 2, 1993 (resigned) | Republican | 1988 |
| 76 | Judd Gregg (b. 1947) | January 5, 1989 – January 2, 1993 (resigned) | Republican | 1990 |
| — | Ralph D. Hough (b. 1943) | January 2, 1993 – January 7, 1993 (successor took office) | Republican | President of the Senate acting |
| 77 | Steve Merrill (1946–2020) | January 7, 1993 – January 9, 1997 (did not run) | Republican | 1992 |
| 77 | Steve Merrill (1946–2020) | January 7, 1993 – January 9, 1997 (did not run) | Republican | 1994 |
| 78 | Jeanne Shaheen (b. 1947) | January 9, 1997 – January 9, 2003 (did not run) | Democratic | 1996 |
| 78 | Jeanne Shaheen (b. 1947) | January 9, 1997 – January 9, 2003 (did not run) | Democratic | 1998 |
| 78 | Jeanne Shaheen (b. 1947) | January 9, 1997 – January 9, 2003 (did not run) | Democratic | 2000 |
| 79 | Craig Benson (b. 1954) | January 9, 2003 – January 6, 2005 (lost election) | Republican | 2002 |
| 80 | John Lynch (b. 1952) | January 6, 2005 – January 3, 2013 (did not run) | Democratic | 2004 |
| 80 | John Lynch (b. 1952) | January 6, 2005 – January 3, 2013 (did not run) | Democratic | 2006 |
| 80 | John Lynch (b. 1952) | January 6, 2005 – January 3, 2013 (did not run) | Democratic | 2008 |
| 80 | John Lynch (b. 1952) | January 6, 2005 – January 3, 2013 (did not run) | Democratic | 2010 |
| 81 | Maggie Hassan (b. 1958) | January 3, 2013 – January 2, 2017 (resigned) | Democratic | 2012 |
| 81 | Maggie Hassan (b. 1958) | January 3, 2013 – January 2, 2017 (resigned) | Democratic | 2014 |
| — | Chuck Morse (b. 1960) | January 3, 2017 – January 5, 2017 (successor took office) | Republican | President of the Senate acting |
| 82 | Chris Sununu (b. 1974) | January 5, 2017 – January 9, 2025 (did not run) | Republican | 2016 |
| 82 | Chris Sununu (b. 1974) | January 5, 2017 – January 9, 2025 (did not run) | Republican | 2018 |
| 82 | Chris Sununu (b. 1974) | January 5, 2017 – January 9, 2025 (did not run) | Republican | 2020 |
| 82 | Chris Sununu (b. 1974) | January 5, 2017 – January 9, 2025 (did not run) | Republican | 2022 |
| 83 | Kelly Ayotte (b. 1968) | January 9, 2025 – Incumbent | Republican | 2024 |