List of governors of Washington

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The Governor of Washington is the leader of the Executive branch of the State of Washington's government. Jay Inslee is currently serving as governor.

Governor of Washington
Seal of the Executive Department of Washington.svg
Seal of the governor
Bob Ferguson at his 2023 Shrimp Feed 02 (cropped).jpg
Incumbent
Bob Ferguson

since January 15, 2025
Style
Status
ResidenceWashington Governor's Mansion
Term lengthFour years, no term limit
Inaugural holderElisha P. Ferry
FormationNovember 11, 1889
DeputyLieutenant Governor of Washington
Salary$182,179 (2019)[1]
Websitegovernor.wa.gov

Governors

Governors of the Territory of Washington

Governor Took office[a] Left office Appointed by Notes
    Isaac Stevens December 3, 1853[2] August 11, 1857[3] Franklin Pierce
    LaFayette McMullen September 10, 1857[4] July 1858[5] James Buchanan
    Richard D. Gholson July 15, 1859[6] February 14, 1861[7] James Buchanan [b]
    William H. Wallace Appointed April 9, 1861[9] Abraham Lincoln [c]
    William Pickering June 1862[11] January 8, 1867[12] Abraham Lincoln [d]
    George E. Cole January 8, 1867[12] March 4, 1867[12] Andrew Johnson [d]
    Marshall F. Moore August 26, 1867[14] 1869 Andrew Johnson
    Alvan Flanders April 5, 1869[15] March 14, 1870[16] Ulysses S. Grant
    Edward Selig Salomon Appointed March 4, 1870[17] April 1872[17] Ulysses S. Grant
    Elisha Peyre Ferry Appointed April 26, 1872[18] November 1, 1880[19] Ulysses S. Grant [e]
    William Augustus Newell November 1, 1880[19] 1884 Rutherford B. Hayes
    Watson Carvasso Squire Appointed July 2, 1884[18] April 1887[21] Chester A. Arthur [e]
    Eugene Semple Appointed April 9, 1887[22] 1889 Grover Cleveland [e]
    Miles Conway Moore April 9, 1889[23] November 11, 1889 Benjamin Harrison

Governors of the State of Washington

Washington became a state on November 11, 1889. The term for governor is four years,.[24] It begins on the second Monday in the January after the election.[25]

Parties

      Democratic (11) <span style="border:1px solid #aaaaaa; background-color:Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Political party/P' not found.; color:Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Political party/P' not found.;">      Populist (1)       Republican (12)
(above numbering includes one governor twice)[f]

Governors of the State of Washington
No. Governor Term in office Party Election Lt. Governor[g]
1     Elisha P. Ferry
(1825–1895)
[26][27]
November 18, 1889[28]

January 11, 1893
(did not run)[26]
Republican[29] 1889   Laughton, Charles E.Charles E. Laughton
2   John McGraw
(1850–1910)
[30][31]
January 11, 1893[32]

January 13, 1897
(did not run)
Republican[29] 1892 Luce, F. H.F. H. Luce
3   John Rankin Rogers
(1838–1901)
[33][34]
January 13, 1897[35]

December 26, 1901
(died in office)
Populist[33] 1896 Daniels, ThurstonThurston Daniels
Democratic[33] 1900 McBride, HenryHenry McBride[h]
4   Henry McBride
(1856–1937)
[36][37]
December 26, 1901[38]

January 11, 1905
(lost nomination)[36]
Republican[29] Succeeded from
lieutenant
governor
Vacant
5   Albert E. Mead
(1861–1913)
[39][40]
January 11, 1905[41]

January 27, 1909
(lost nomination)[39]
Republican[29] 1904 Coon, Charles E.Charles E. Coon
6   Samuel G. Cosgrove
(1847–1909)
[42][43]
January 27, 1909[44]

March 28, 1909
(died in office)
Republican[29] 1908 Hay, Marion E.Marion E. Hay
7   Marion E. Hay
(1865–1933)
[45][46]
March 28, 1909[47]

January 15, 1913
(lost election)
Republican[29] Succeeded from
lieutenant
governor
Vacant
8   Ernest Lister
(1870–1919)
[48][49]
January 15, 1913[50]

June 14, 1919
(died in office)
Democratic[29] 1912 Hart, Louis F.Louis F. Hart[h]
1916
9   Louis F. Hart
(1862–1929)
[51][52]
June 14, 1919[53]

January 14, 1925
(did not run)[51]
Republican[29] Succeeded from
lieutenant
governor
Vacant
1920 Coyle, William J.William J. Coyle
10   Roland H. Hartley
(1864–1952)
[54][55]
January 14, 1925[56]

January 11, 1933
(lost nomination)[i]
Republican[29] 1924 Johnson, W. LonW. Lon Johnson
1928 Gellatly, John ArthurJohn Arthur Gellatly
11   Clarence D. Martin
(1886–1955)
[57][58]
January 11, 1933[59]

January 15, 1941
(lost nomination)[j]
Democratic[29] 1932 Meyers, Victor AloysiusVictor Aloysius Meyers[k]
1936
12   Arthur B. Langlie
(1900–1966)
[60][61]
January 15, 1941[62]

January 10, 1945
(lost election)
Republican[29] 1940
13   Monrad Wallgren
(1891–1961)
[63][64]
January 10, 1945[65]

January 12, 1949
(lost election)
Democratic[29] 1944
14   Arthur B. Langlie
(1900–1966)
[60][61]
January 12, 1949[66]

January 16, 1957
(did not run)[60]
Republican[29] 1948
1952 Anderson, Emmett T.Emmett T. Anderson
15   Albert Rosellini
(1910–2011)
[67][68]
January 16, 1957[69]

January 13, 1965
(lost election)
Democratic[29] 1956 Cherberg, JohnJohn Cherberg[k]
1960
16   Daniel J. Evans
(1925–2024)
[70][71]
January 13, 1965[72]

January 12, 1977
(did not run)[70]
Republican[29] 1964
1968
1972
17   Dixy Lee Ray
(1914–1994)
[73][74]
January 12, 1977[75]

January 14, 1981
(lost nomination)[l]
Democratic[74] 1976
18   John Spellman
(1926–2018)
[76]
January 14, 1981[77]

January 16, 1985
(lost election)
Republican[76] 1980
19   Booth Gardner
(1936–2013)
[78]
January 16, 1985[79]

January 13, 1993
(did not run)
Democratic[78] 1984
1988 Pritchard, JoelJoel Pritchard[h]
20   Mike Lowry
(1939–2017)
[80]
January 13, 1993[81]

January 15, 1997
(did not run)
Democratic[80] 1992
21   Gary Locke
(b. 1950)
[82]
January 15, 1997[83]

January 12, 2005
(did not run)
Democratic[82] 1996 Owen, BradBrad Owen
2000
22   Christine Gregoire
(b. 1947)
[84]
January 12, 2005[85]

January 16, 2013
(did not run)
Democratic[84] 2004
2008
23   Jay Inslee
(b. 1951)
[86]
January 16, 2013[87]

January 15, 2025
(did not run)
Democratic[86] 2012
2016 Habib, CyrusCyrus Habib
2020 Heck, DennyDenny Heck
24   Bob Ferguson
(b. 1965)
January 15, 2025

– Incumbent

Democratic 2024

List Of Governors Of Washington Media

Notes

  1. Due to the long distance between Washington D.C. and Washington Territory, and the slow speed of communications and travel of the day, weeks or months could go by between the appointment of a governor and the governor actually taking office. The actual dates governors took office are sometimes vague; the ones in this list are cited mostly with contemporary news coverage, but other resources and almanacs give slightly different dates.
  2. Received a leave of absence in May 1860 to move his wife from Texas to Kentucky. He never returned to Washington Territory.[7][8]
  3. Appointed as governor, but did not take office as he was elected as a delegate from Washington Territory.[10]
  4. 4.0 4.1 President Johnson removed Governor Pickering in November 1866. Governor Cole arrived on January 8, 1867 after being appointed governor. Governor Pickering would not relinquish power until the U.S. Senate approved of Governor Cole's nomination on the basis that President Johnson was being impeached. However, the state's legislature looked to Governor Cole as the real governor. The U.S. Senate eventually failed to ratify his nomination.[13]
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Was a resident of Washington Territory at the time of appointment. This could have cut down on the time between appointment and taking office.[20]
  6. The official numbering includes ten Democrats, 12 Republicans, and John Rogers, who served as both a Democrat and a Populist. Rogers' term is counted as both Populist and Democratic.
  7. Lieutenant governors represented the same party as their governor unless noted.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 Represented the Republican Party
  9. Hartley lost the Republican nomination to John Arthur Gellatly.
  10. Martin lost the Democratic nomination to Clarence Dill.
  11. 11.0 11.1 Represented the Democratic Party
  12. Ray lost the Democratic nomination to Jim McDermott.

References

  1. "2013 and 2014 Salary Schedule, Adopted May 22, 2013" (PDF). Washington Citizens' Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 10, 2013. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  2. (PDF) Glorious News for Washington! Arrival of Governor Stevens. Olympia. December 3, 1853. http://www.sos.wa.gov/history/newspapers_view_pdf.aspx?i=sfUIQAdd4JpXp9QlJsNraWT%2ftz%2blTYMZp1SM5KKFIAjkqc9DQNueZ1fZRrcgfSFrvKAjVpmyw3aqWELsLldAGg%3d%3d&p=dHtVHMHvom8YDpiedV1%2fug%3d%3d. Retrieved July 2, 2010. 
  3. (PDF) Letter from Gov. Stevens. Olympia. August 14, 1857. http://www.sos.wa.gov/history/newspapers_view_pdf.aspx?i=HSn2axSdILgvWFH8DwojDH7r33N4wlnMto2fMSLnbisuT1EJMlrvu48BX8IvZoOIr3YOb9pd4nyK2jHY6RXAnw%3d%3d&p=dHtVHMHvom8YDpiedV1%2fug%3d%3d. Retrieved July 2, 2010. 
  4. (PDF) Arrival of Governor McMullen. Olympia. September 11, 1857. http://www.sos.wa.gov/history/newspapers_view_pdf.aspx?i=HSn2axSdILgvWFH8DwojDH7r33N4wlnMto2fMSLnbisuT1EJMlrvu48BX8IvZoOIRZB5fVGe4SNocDTqMluHDA%3d%3d&p=dHtVHMHvom8YDpiedV1%2fug%3d%3d. Retrieved July 2, 2010. 
  5. Bancroft, Hubert Howe (1890). History of Washington, Idaho, and Montana: 1845–1889, Volume 31. Washington State Library. p. 209. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  6. (PDF) Sworn In. Olympia. http://www.sos.wa.gov/history/newspapers_view_pdf.aspx?i=HSn2axSdILgvWFH8DwojDH7r33N4wlnMto2fMSLnbisuT1EJMlrvu48BX8IvZoOIIycGNUYO8STIYsIf3RAebA%3d%3d&p=dHtVHMHvom8YDpiedV1%2fug%3d%3d. Retrieved July 2, 2010. 
  7. 7.0 7.1 McMullin and Walker p. 314
  8. (PDF) Granted Leave of Absence. Olympia. May 18, 1860. http://www.sos.wa.gov/history/newspapers_view_pdf.aspx?i=HSn2axSdILgvWFH8DwojDH7r33N4wlnMto2fMSLnbisuT1EJMlrvu48BX8IvZoOIMWeB35NKF3TUEW%2b22FMpZA%3d%3d&p=dHtVHMHvom8YDpiedV1%2fug%3d%3d. Retrieved July 2, 2010. 
  9. McMullin and Walker p. 315
  10. "Wallace, William". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Clerk of the United States House of Representatives and Historian of the United States Senate. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  11. (PDF) Our New Governor. June 12, 1862. http://www.sos.wa.gov/history/newspapers_view_pdf.aspx?i=g3dEQDqDmLYDIkWZ54HScVWA2P56WHwlAcq9RJ8MkKl53k%2bITmtsKpEAeIkF5xOWNOqpndROo%2fFEbq5ZVWw0mpVPzhG4Wr5Z5%2b6r%2b%2ffn4TA%3d&p=dHtVHMHvom8YDpiedV1%2fug%3d%3d. Retrieved July 2, 2010. 
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 (PDF) Gubernatorial War!. January 14, 1867. http://www.sos.wa.gov/history/newspapers_view_pdf.aspx?i=MDU5DiS6EA%2bP%2fmRTpOofwj6ctIjAkj4H5tZ%2byPFuprn%2bFS%2bLid1VoeJQftPKFLkfUSJQVg4T5w1pXmyX9GuyBv8LBwNGyOzO01gaQoCgT1A%3d&p=dHtVHMHvom8YDpiedV1%2fug%3d%3d. Retrieved July 2, 2010. 
  13. McMullin and Walker pp. 317–318
  14. (PDF) Arrival of General Moore. August 31, 1867. http://www.sos.wa.gov/history/newspapers_view_pdf.aspx?i=6lRKEGNLaFPqFN99dX4bliCyz5HsrOwFXkauxKUIh7zPA63OjwO33CUWy4tuT%2fViwktGaLoqs7AjxqM7wd8%2b1tFMs42pEaF5UEJd%2bFj2mZA%3d&p=dHtVHMHvom8YDpiedV1%2fug%3d%3d. Retrieved January 21, 2010. 
  15. "Flanders, Alvan". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Clerk of the United States House of Representatives and Historian of the United States Senate. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  16. McMullin and Walker p. 320
  17. 17.0 17.1 McMullin and Walker p. 321
  18. 18.0 18.1 McMullin and Walker p. 322
  19. 19.0 19.1 (PDF) Governor Ferry's Retirement. October 31, 1880. http://www.sos.wa.gov/history/newspapers_view_pdf.aspx?i=q0V%2flT8w%2fxdv6MGo%2fuYdIQoKnORagRjdUSINVl8xJnWNTm%2ficXBilPPaSy5hEgPbHrLZRon%2fR73O84FbmdyCb8ndU%2b1G6DhMwzMFYLlPgVY%3d&p=CrD41kMLo1YQ3GEiLe6lug%3d%3d. Retrieved July 2, 2010. 
  20. McMullin and Walker pp. 322–328.
  21. McMullin and Walker p. 325
  22. McMullin and Walker p. 326
  23. Snowden, Clinton (1911). History of Washington: the rise and progress of an American state. New York: Century History Company. p. 153. Retrieved July 3, 2010.
  24. WA Const. art. III, § 2
  25. WA Const. art. III, § 4
  26. 26.0 26.1 Sobel 1978, p. 1675.
  27. "Elisha Peyre Ferry". National Governors Association. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  28. "Garb of Statehood". The Seattle Post-Intelligencer: 2. November 19, 1889. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-seattle-post-intelligencer-ferry-ina/128580968/. Retrieved July 20, 2023. 
  29. 29.00 29.01 29.02 29.03 29.04 29.05 29.06 29.07 29.08 29.09 29.10 29.11 29.12 29.13 29.14 Kallenbach 1977, pp. 622–623.
  30. Sobel 1978, p. 1676.
  31. "John Harte McGraw". National Governors Association. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  32. Washington State Legislature. Journal of the House of Representatives. 3rd legislature, 44, accessed July 20, 2023
  33. 33.0 33.1 33.2 Sobel 1978, pp. 1677–1678.
  34. "John Rankin Rogers". National Governors Association. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  35. Washington State Legislature. Journal of the House of Representatives. 5th legislature, 34, accessed July 20, 2023
  36. 36.0 36.1 Sobel 1978, p. 1678.
  37. "Henry McBride". National Governors Association. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  38. "Gov. McBride of Washington". The Spokesman-Review: 1. December 27, 1901. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review-mcbride-succeeds-ro/128585136/. Retrieved July 20, 2023. 
  39. 39.0 39.1 Sobel 1978, p. 1679.
  40. "Albert E. Mead". National Governors Association. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  41. Washington State Legislature. Journal of the House of Representatives. 9th legislature, 33, accessed July 20, 2023
  42. Sobel 1978, pp. 1679–1680.
  43. "Samuel G. Cosgrove". National Governors Association. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  44. Washington State Legislature. Journal of the House of Representatives. 11th legislature, 152, accessed July 20, 2023
  45. Sobel 1978, pp. 1680–1681.
  46. "Marion E. Hay". National Governors Association. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  47. "Governor S. G. Cosgrove Passes Away Suddenly". The Tacoma Daily Ledger: 1. March 29, 1909. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tacoma-daily-ledger-hay-succeeds-cos/128585400/. Retrieved July 20, 2023. 
  48. Sobel 1978, pp. 1681–1682.
  49. "Ernest Lister". National Governors Association. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  50. Washington State Legislature. Journal of the House of Representatives. 13th legislature, 44, accessed July 20, 2023
  51. 51.0 51.1 Sobel 1978, p. 1682.
  52. "Louis Folwell Hart". National Governors Association. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  53. "Louis F. Hart Goes to Executive Chair". The News Tribune: 1. June 14, 1919. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-hart-succeeds-lister-ju/128587234/. Retrieved July 20, 2023. 
  54. Sobel 1978, p. 1683.
  55. "Roland H. Hartley". National Governors Association. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  56. Washington State Legislature. Journal of the House of Representatives. 19th legislature, 23, accessed July 20, 2023
  57. Sobel 1978, pp. 1683–1684.
  58. "Clarence Daniel Martin". National Governors Association. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  59. "Martin Takes Oath as New Governor". The Bellingham Herald: 1. January 11, 1933. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bellingham-herald-martin-inaugurated/128588432/. Retrieved July 21, 2023. 
  60. 60.0 60.1 60.2 Sobel 1978, pp. 1684–1685.
  61. 61.0 61.1 "Arthur B. Langlie". National Governors Association. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  62. Washington State Legislature. Journal of the House of Representatives. 27th legislature, 32, accessed July 20, 2023
  63. Sobel 1978, p. 1685.
  64. "Monrad Charles Wallgren". National Governors Association. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  65. Washington State Legislature. Journal of the House of Representatives. 29th legislature, 31, accessed July 20, 2023
  66. Washington State Legislature. Journal of the House of Representatives. 31st legislature, 39, accessed July 20, 2023
  67. Sobel 1978, p. 1686.
  68. "Albert Dean Rosellini". National Governors Association. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  69. Washington State Legislature. Journal of the House of Representatives. 35th legislature, 41, accessed July 20, 2023
  70. 70.0 70.1 Sobel 1978, pp. 1686–1687.
  71. "Daniel Jackson Evans". National Governors Association. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  72. Washington State Legislature. Journal of the House of Representatives. 39th legislature, 60, accessed July 20, 2023
  73. Sobel 1978, pp. 1687–1688.
  74. 74.0 74.1 "Dixy Lee Ray". National Governors Association. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  75. Washington State Legislature. Journal of the House of Representatives. 45th legislature, 44, accessed July 20, 2023
  76. 76.0 76.1 "John Dennis Spellman". National Governors Association. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  77. Washington State Legislature. Journal of the House of Representatives. 47th legislature, 52, accessed July 20, 2023
  78. 78.0 78.1 "Booth Gardner". National Governors Association. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  79. Washington State Legislature. Journal of the House of Representatives. 49th legislature, 44, accessed July 20, 2023
  80. 80.0 80.1 "Michael Lowry". National Governors Association. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  81. Washington State Legislature. Journal of the House of Representatives. 53rd legislature, 55, accessed July 20, 2023
  82. 82.0 82.1 "Gary Locke". National Governors Association. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  83. Washington State Legislature. Journal of the House of Representatives. 55th legislature, 96, accessed July 20, 2023
  84. 84.0 84.1 "Chris Gregoire". National Governors Association. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  85. Washington State Legislature. Journal of the House of Representatives. 59th legislature, 69, accessed July 20, 2023
  86. 86.0 86.1 "Jay Inslee". National Governors Association. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  87. Washington State Legislature. Journal of the House of Representatives. 63rd legislature, 50, accessed July 20, 2023