List_of_governors_of_Maine

List of governors of Maine

List of governors of Maine

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The governor of Maine is the head of government of Maine[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]

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.

There have been 71 governors of Maine since statehood, serving 75 distinct terms. Four governors served multiple non-consecutive terms (Edward Kent, John Fairfield, John W. Dana, and Burton M. Cross).[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 Democrat Janet Mills, who took office on January 2, 2019.

Governors

The District of Maine of Massachusetts was admitted to the Union on March 15, 1820, as the State of Maine.[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]

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See also

Notes

  1. The numbering from the Maine State Law and Legislative Reference Library notes that, in the past, Burton M. Cross and Nathaniel M. Haskell's short terms in 19521953 were not counted, and they corrected the count by one prior to John R. McKernan Jr.'s inauguration.[232]
  2. King resigned to be a commissioner for the adjustment of Spanish claims in Florida.[15]
  3. Williamson resigned, having been elected to the United States House of Representatives.[19]
  4. Ames felt that, with a new Maine Senate, the new president of the Senate should take office, and resigned upon Daniel Rose being elected.[24]
  5. Sobel says Parris resigned upon being elected to the United States Senate;[25] however, he was not elected until January 31.[29]
  6. The Senate that Cutler was president of had ended, and there was controversy over if he could remain governor; the Maine Supreme Court ruled against him. Sobel says that he resigned at this point, but no source corroborates this.[38]
  7. Sobel describes Cutler as a Democrat,[35] but Kallenbach[22] and Glashan[39] label him a Democratic-Republican.
  8. Sources label Smith either a Jacksonian Democrat[46][22] or a Democratic-Republican.[43][47]
  9. Kent won a close election, but Democrats challenged the election. He was finally declared winner by the Maine Supreme Court and sworn in on January 19, 1838.[54] Dunlap left office on January 3,[48] but no source mentions if the president of the Senate acted as governor in the interim.
  10. The 1840 election was very close, and the legislature had to decide a winner. Due to the delay, President of the Senate Vose declared himself acting governor on January 12, 1841,[58] under the principle that the office was vacant, so it fell to him.[59] Sobel writes that Vose took over after Fairfield resigned, but this appears to be a mistake, mixing it up with Fairfield's resignation in 1843.
  11. Fairfield resigned, having been elected to the United States Senate.[56]
  12. Kavanagh resigned due to ill health;[68] he died 19 days later.
  13. Dunn resigned once the new Maine Legislature was sworn in and a president of the Senate chosen.[69][72]
  14. Dubin[87] and Kallenbach[22] label Morrill an "Anti Maine-Law" and American, Glashan labels him an "Anti-Nebraska Fusion (Republican)"[47] and Sobel simply labels him Republican.[88]
  15. Hamlin resigned, having been elected to the United States Senate.[98]
  16. The 1879 election was not close, but at the time a governor had to receive a majority of votes cast, and Davis fell slightly short. Governor Garcelon refused to certify new Republican members of the legislature, instead seating Democrats, which led to the State Supreme Court ruling against him.[130] A Fusionist legislature declared Joseph L. Smith the winner, and inaugurated him on January 17;[132] however, this was not considered legitimate, and Davis was inaugurated later that day when the Republican legislature met.[133]
  17. Kallenbach[137] and Sobel[134] label Plaisted as a Democrat and Greenback, while Glashan describes him as "National (or Greenback Labor)".[138]
  18. Hildreth instead ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for the United States Senate.[200]
  19. Payne resigned, having been elected to the United States Senate.[206]
  20. Frederick G. Payne resigned at midnight December 25, 1952, and President of the Senate Burton M. Cross became acting governor at 12:01am on December 26.[208] Cross had already been elected to the post, and would take office on January 8, 1953. However, the new Senate elected Nathaniel M. Haskell as president on January 7, so he took over as acting governor for less than a day.[209]
  21. Muskie resigned, having been elected to the United States Senate.[211]
  22. Under a 1957 amendment to the constitution, governors are ineligible to succeed themselves after serving two consecutive elected terms.[226]
  23. Mills' second term began on January 4, 2023, and will expire January 6, 2027; she will be term-limited.

References

General
  • "Former Maine Governors". National Governors Association. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  • Sobel, Robert (1978). Biographical directory of the governors of the United States, 1789-1978, Vol. II. Meckler Books. ISBN 9780930466008. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  • Dubin, Michael J. (2003). United States Gubernatorial Elections, 1776-1860: The Official Results by State and County. McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-1439-0.
  • Dubin, Michael J. (2014). United States Gubernatorial Elections, 1861-1911: The Official Results by State and County. McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-5646-8.
  • Kallenbach, Joseph Ernest (1977). American State Governors, 1776-1976. Oceana Publications. ISBN 978-0-379-00665-0. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  • Glashan, Roy R. (1979). American Governors and Gubernatorial Elections, 1775-1978. Meckler Books. ISBN 978-0-930466-17-6.
  • "Governors of Maine". Maine State Law and Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
  • "Enacted Constitutional Amendments, 1834". Maine State Law and Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
  • "Constitution of the State of Maine, as amended". Maine Legislature. 1820. Retrieved January 20, 2010.
  • "Constitution of the State of Maine" (PDF). Maine State Law and Legislative Reference Library. 1820. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
  • "Our Campaigns - Governor of Maine - History". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
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. 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. Sobel 1978, p. 595.
  16. "General Election". The Portland Gazette. June 6, 1820. p. 1. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  17. Sobel 1978, p. 596.
  18. "none". The Portland Gazette. May 29, 1821. p. 2. Retrieved September 2, 2023. The Hon. William D. Williamson President of the Senate upon whom the duties of Governour devolve by the constitution...
  19. Kallenbach 1977, pp. 233–235.
  20. "Legislature of Maine". The Portland Gazette. January 4, 1822. p. 2. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  21. Sobel 1978, p. 597.
  22. "Legislature of Maine". The Portland Gazette. January 8, 1822. p. 2. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  23. "Senator to Congress Elected". Eastern Argus. February 2, 1827. p. 2. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  24. Dubin 2003, pp. 87–88.
  25. Sobel 1978, p. 598.
  26. "State Legislature". Eastern Argus. January 5, 1827. p. 3. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  27. Sobel 1978, pp. 598–599.
  28. "Death of Gov. Lincoln". Vermont Watchman and State Journal. October 27, 1829. p. 1. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  29. Sobel 1978, p. 599.
  30. "Legislature of Maine". Eastern Argus. February 12, 1830. p. 2. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  31. Sobel 1978, p. 600.
  32. "Maine Legislature". Eastern Argus. January 11, 1831. p. 2. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  33. Sobel 1978, pp. 600–601.
  34. "Maine Legislature". Eastern Argus. January 6, 1834. p. 3. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  35. Dubin 2003, pp. 89–90.
  36. Sobel 1978, pp. 601–602.
  37. "Maine Legislature". Bangor Daily Whig and Courier. January 22, 1838. p. 2. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  38. Sobel 1978, p. 602.
  39. "Maine Legislature". Bangor Daily Whig and Courier. January 14, 1841. p. 2. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  40. "Courtesy vs. the Constitution". Bangor Daily Whig and Courier. January 15, 1841. p. 2. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  41. Sobel 1978, pp. 602–603.
  42. "Latest From Augusta". Portland Press Herald. January 14, 1841. p. 3. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  43. "Legislature of Maine". Lincoln Telegraph. January 13, 1842. p. 2. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  44. Sobel 1978, pp. 603–604.
  45. "Maine Legislature". Eastern Argus. March 8, 1843. p. 2. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  46. Lucey, William Leo (2006). Edward Kavanagh: Catholic, Statesman, Diplomat, from Maine 1795–1844. Kessinger Publishing. p. 22. ISBN 978-1-4286-5468-6.
  47. Sobel 1978, p. 604.
  48. "Legislature of Maine". Bangor Daily Whig and Courier. January 5, 1844. p. 2. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  49. 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."
  50. Sobel 1978, pp. 604–605.
  51. Sobel 1978, p. 605.
  52. "Legislature of Maine". Bangor Daily Whig and Courier. January 8, 1844. p. 2. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  53. Dubin 2003, pp. 91–92.
  54. "Legislature of Maine". Bangor Daily Whig and Courier. May 22, 1847. p. 3. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  55. Sobel 1978, p. 606.
  56. "Augusta Correspondence". Bangor Daily Whig and Courier. May 15, 1850. p. 2. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  57. Sobel 1978, p. 607.
  58. "Thirty-Second Legislature". Portland Press Herald. January 20, 1853. p. 2. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  59. Sobel 1978, pp. 607–608.
  60. "Editorial Correspondence". The Union and Journal. January 12, 1855. p. 2. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  61. Sobel 1978, pp. 608–609.
  62. "Legislative Proceedings". Bangor Daily Whig and Courier. January 7, 1856. p. 2. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  63. Sobel 1978, pp. 609–610.
  64. "Progress at Augusta". Bangor Daily Whig and Courier. January 9, 1857. p. 2. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  65. "Maine Legislature". Portland Press Herald. February 27, 1857. p. 2. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  66. Sobel 1978, p. 610.
  67. "Maine Legislature". Portland Press Herald. February 28, 1857. p. 2. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  68. Sobel 1978, pp. 610–611.
  69. "Maine Legislature". The Union and Journal. January 15, 1858. p. 2. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  70. Sobel 1978, pp. 611–612.
  71. "Organization of the Legislature". Kennebec Journal. January 4, 1861. p. 2. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  72. Sobel 1978, pp. 612–613.
  73. "Legislature of Maine". Bangor Daily Whig and Courier. January 12, 1863. p. 3. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  74. Sobel 1978, pp. 613–614.
  75. "Maine Legislature". Kennebec Journal. January 15, 1864. p. 1. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  76. Sobel 1978, pp. 614–615.
  77. "Inauguration of Gov. Chamberlain". Sun-Journal. January 3, 1867. p. 1. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  78. Sobel 1978, p. 615.
  79. "Maine Legislature". Bangor Daily Whig and Courier. January 6, 1871. p. 3. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  80. Sobel 1978, p. 616.
  81. "Fifty-Third Legislature". The Portland Daily Press. January 9, 1874. p. 3. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  82. Sobel 1978, pp. 616–617.
  83. "The Inauguration". The Portland Daily Press. January 7, 1876. p. 2. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  84. Sobel 1978, pp. 617–618.
  85. "The Governor's Inauguration". Sun-Journal. January 8, 1879. p. 3. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  86. Sobel 1978, pp. 618–619.
  87. "Still Firm". Portland Press Herald. January 17, 1880. p. 2. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  88. "Governor Davis". The Portland Daily Press. January 19, 1880. p. 2. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  89. Sobel 1978, p. 619.
  90. "A Dreary Day". The Portland Daily Press. January 14, 1881. p. 2. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  91. Sobel 1978, p. 620.
  92. "Maine Legislature". The Portland Daily Press. January 5, 1883. p. 1. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  93. Sobel 1978, pp. 620–621.
  94. "From Augusta". The Portland Daily Press. January 7, 1887. p. 1. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  95. Sobel 1978, pp. 621–622.
  96. "Mr. Marble in Augusta". The Portland Daily Press. December 16, 1887. p. 1. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  97. Sobel 1978, p. 622.
  98. "Maine Legislature". Kennebec Journal. January 4, 1889. p. 1. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  99. Sobel 1978, pp. 622–623.
  100. "Legislative Doings". Evening Express. January 5, 1893. p. 8. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  101. Sobel 1978, pp. 623–624.
  102. "His Excellency". The Portland Daily Press. January 8, 1897. p. 1. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  103. Sobel 1978, p. 624.
  104. "Governor Hill". Biddeford-Saco Journal. January 3, 1901. p. 1. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  105. Sobel 1978, p. 625.
  106. "Hon. William T. Cobb Governor of Maine". Evening Express. January 5, 1905. p. 1. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
  107. Sobel 1978, pp. 625–626.
  108. "Inauguration Ceremonies". Biddeford-Saco Journal. January 7, 1909. p. 1. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
  109. Sobel 1978, pp. 626–627.
  110. "Hon. Frederick W. Plaisted of Augusta Sworn In As the Governor of the State of Maine". Morning Sentinel. January 6, 1911. p. 1. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
  111. Sobel 1978, p. 627.
  112. "Legislature Organized on New Years Day". Biddeford-Saco Journal. January 2, 1913. p. 5. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
  113. Sobel 1978, p. 628.
  114. "Oakley C. Curtis Inaugurated As Governor With Great Ceremony". Morning Sentinel. January 8, 1915. p. 1. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
  115. Sobel 1978, pp. 628–629.
  116. "Milliken Is Governor, Addresses Legislature". Evening Express. January 4, 1917. p. 1. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
  117. "Milliken "Contented" With the Result". Biddeford-Saco Journal. June 22, 1920. p. 8. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  118. Sobel 1978, pp. 629–630.
  119. "Parkhurst Inaugurated, Addresses Legislature". Evening Express. January 6, 1921. p. 1. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
  120. Sobel 1978, p. 630.
  121. "Baxter Is Now Chief Executive". Evening Express. January 31, 1921. p. 1. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
  122. Sobel 1978, p. 631.
  123. "Capitol Is Crowded for Inaugural". Sun-Journal. January 8, 1925. p. 1. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  124. Sobel 1978, pp. 631–632.
  125. "New Governor Outlines Policies". Evening Express. January 3, 1929. p. 1. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  126. Sobel 1978, pp. 632–633.
  127. Somerville, Cliff (January 5, 1933). "Brann Pleads for Economy at Inaugural". Evening Express. p. 1. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  128. Sobel 1978, pp. 633–634.
  129. "Notables Congratulate Barrows at Luncheon in Blaine Mansion". Portland Press Herald. Associated Press. January 8, 1937. p. 1. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  130. Sobel 1978, p. 634.
  131. "Governor Sewall Assumes Office". Morning Sentinel. Associated Press. January 3, 1941. p. 1. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  132. Sobel 1978, p. 635.
  133. "Protect Surplus or Face New Taxes, Hildreth Warns". Portland Press Herald. Associated Press. January 5, 1945. p. 20. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  134. Sobel 1978, pp. 635–636.
  135. "800 Persons at Colorful Inaugural; Hildreth Gets Big Ovation As He Leaves". The Bangor Daily News. January 7, 1949. p. 1. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  136. Sobel 1978, p. 637.
  137. "Burton M. Cross Takes Oath As Acting Maine Governor". Portland Press Herald. December 26, 1952. p. 1. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  138. "Maine To Have No Governor for Eleven Hours". Evening Express. January 7, 1953. p. 2. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  139. St. Germain, Wayne (January 9, 1953). "Protect Liquor and Highway Boards From Political Pressure, Urges Cross". The Bangor Daily News. p. 1. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  140. Sobel 1978, pp. 637–638.
  141. Langzettel, Bill (January 7, 1955). "Muskie Offers Far-Reaching State Program". Portland Press Herald. Associated Press. p. 1. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  142. Sobel 1978, pp. 638–639.
  143. "Sen. Pres. Haskell To Become Maine's 49th Governor – For 5 1/2 Days in Office". Portland Press Herald. Associated Press. January 2, 1959. p. 1. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  144. Sobel 1978, pp. 639–640.
  145. Crocker, Robert M. (January 8, 1959). "Clauson Opens 4-Year Term". Evening Express. Associated Press. p. 1. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  146. Sobel 1978, pp. 640–641.
  147. "Gov. Clauson Dies; Senate Pres. Reed Succeeds to Governorship". Evening Express. Associated Press. December 30, 1959. p. 1. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  148. Sobel 1978, pp. 641–642.
  149. "Curtis Takes Oath As Governor; Plans Major Govt. Reorganization". Sun-Journal. Associated Press. January 5, 1967. p. 1. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  150. "Maine Const. art. V, § 2". www.stateconstitutions.umd.edu. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  151. Sobel 1978, p. 642.
  152. Day, John S. (January 3, 1975). "Longley Sworn In As Governor". The Bangor Daily News. p. 1. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  153. "Inauguration Tonight". The Lewiston Daily Sun. January 4, 1979. p. 4. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  154. "Governors of Maine". Maine State Law and Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  155. Jackson, Peter (January 9, 1987). "McKernan: Maine 'Opportunity State'". The Lewiston Daily Sun. Associated Press. p. 1. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  156. Remal, Gary J. (January 6, 1995). "It's Official: King Is 71st Governor". Kennebec Journal. p. 1. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  157. Carrier, Paul (January 9, 2003). "Baldacci Sees 'Greatness' in State's Future". Portland Press Herald. p. 1A. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  158. Cover, Susan M. (January 6, 2011). "New Chief, New Vision". Portland Press Herald. p. A1. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  159. Miller, Kevin; Thistle, Scott (January 3, 2019). "'We Are All in This Together'". Portland Press Herald. p. A1. Retrieved September 18, 2023.

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