List of governors of Kentucky

The governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky is the head of government of Kentucky,[1] and serves as commander-in-chief of the state's military forces.[2] The governor has a duty to enforce state laws;[3] the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Kentucky General Assembly;[4] the power to convene the legislature;[5] and the power to grant pardons, except in cases of treason and impeachment.[6] The governor is also empowered to reorganize the state government or reduce it in size. Historically, the office has been regarded as one of the most powerful executive positions in the United States.[7]

Fifty-nine individuals have held the office of governor. Prior to a 1992 amendment to the state's constitution, the governor was prohibited from succeeding himself or herself in office, though four men (Isaac Shelby, John L. Helm, James B. McCreary and Happy Chandler) served multiple non-consecutive terms. Paul E. Patton, the first Kentucky governor eligible for a second consecutive term under the amendment, won his reelection bid in 1999. James Garrard succeeded himself in 1800, before the constitutional provision existed. Garrard is also the longest serving governor, serving for a total period of eight years and 90 days. In 2023 Democrat Andy Beshear became the 3rd incumbent governor in Kentucky history to be reelected to a second consecutive term.

William Goebel, who was elected to the office in the disputed election of 1899, remains the only governor of any U.S. state to die from assassination while in office.[8] Goebel is also the shortest serving governor, serving for a period of only three days. Martha Layne Collins, who held the office from 1983 to 1987, was the first woman to serve as governor and was only the third woman to serve as governor of any U.S. state who was not the wife or widow of a previous governor.[7] The 63rd and current Kentucky governor is Democrat Andy Beshear, who took office on December 10, 2019.

Governors

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Kentucky County, Virginia was admitted to the Union as Kentucky on June 1, 1792. There have been 59 governors, serving 63 distinct terms.

An unelected group proclaimed Kentucky's secession from the Union on November 20, 1861, and it was annexed by the Confederate States of America on December 10, 1861. The Confederate government elected two governors, but it never held much control over the state.

The original 1792 Kentucky Constitution had the governor chosen by an electoral college for a term of four years, commencing on the first day of June.[9] The second constitution in 1799 changed this to a popular vote, prevented governors from succeeding themselves within seven years of their terms, and moved the start date to the fourth Tuesday after the election.[10] The third constitution in 1850 reduced the succession limitation to four years, and moved the start date of the term to the fifth Tuesday after the election.[11] A 1992 amendment allowed governors to have a second term before being prevented from succeeding themselves for four years.[12] Originally, should the office of governor be vacant, the speaker of the Senate would exercise the powers of the office;[13] in 1799, the office of lieutenant governor was created to fill this role,[14] and, as of 1992, is elected on the same ticket as the governor.[15]

Governors of the Commonwealth of Kentucky
No.[a] Governor Term in office Party Election Lt. Governor[b][c]
1     Isaac Shelby
(1750–1826)
[18][19]
June 4, 1792[20]

June 1, 1796
(did not run)[18]
Democratic-
Republican
[21]
1792 Office did not exist
2   James Garrard
(1749–1822)
[22][23]
June 1, 1796[24]

September 5, 1804
(term-limited)[d]
Democratic-
Republican
[21]
1796
1800   Alexander Scott Bullitt
3   Christopher Greenup
(1750–1818)
[26][27]
September 5, 1804[21]

August 23, 1808
(term-limited)[d]
Democratic-
Republican
[21]
1804 John Caldwell
(died November 19, 1804)
Vacant
Thomas Posey
(acting, elected Speaker in 1805)
4   Charles Scott
(1739–1813)
[28][29]
August 23, 1808[21]

August 24, 1812
(term-limited)[d]
Democratic-
Republican
[21]
1808 Gabriel Slaughter
5   Isaac Shelby
(1750–1826)
[18][19]
August 24, 1812[21]

September 5, 1816
(term-limited)[d]
Democratic-
Republican
[21]
1812 Richard Hickman
6   George Madison
(1763–1816)
[30][31]
September 5, 1816[e]

October 14, 1816
(died in office)
Democratic-
Republican
[21]
1816 Gabriel Slaughter
7   Gabriel Slaughter
(1767–1830)
[33][34]
October 14, 1816[35]

September 7, 1820
(did not run)
Democratic-
Republican
[21]
Succeeded from
lieutenant
governor
Vacant
8   John Adair
(1757–1840)
[36][37]
September 7, 1820[f]

August 24, 1824
(term-limited)[d]
Democratic-
Republican
[21]
1820 William T. Barry
9   Joseph Desha
(1768–1842)
[40][41]
August 24, 1824[42]

August 26, 1828
(term-limited)[d]
Democratic-
Republican
[21]
1824 Robert B. McAfee
10   Thomas Metcalfe
(1780–1855)
[43][44]
August 26, 1828[45]

August 28, 1832
(term-limited)[d]
National
Republican
[g]
1828 John Breathitt[h]
11   John Breathitt
(1786–1834)
[50][51]
August 28, 1832[21]

February 21, 1834
(died in office)
Democratic[52] 1832 James Turner Morehead[i]
12   James Turner Morehead
(1797–1854)
[53][54]
February 21, 1834[55]

August 30, 1836
(did not run)[53]
National
Republican
[j]
Succeeded from
lieutenant
governor
Vacant
13   James Clark
(1779–1839)
[57][58]
August 30, 1836[59]

August 27, 1839
(died in office)
Whig[60] 1836 Charles A. Wickliffe
14   Charles A. Wickliffe
(1788–1869)
[61][62]
August 27, 1839[63]

September 2, 1840
(did not run)
Whig[61] Succeeded from
lieutenant
governor
Vacant
15   Robert P. Letcher
(1788–1861)
[64][65]
September 2, 1840[66]

September 4, 1844
(term-limited)[d]
Whig[67] 1840 Manlius Valerius Thomson
16   William Owsley
(1782–1862)
[68][69]
September 4, 1844[70]

September 6, 1848
(term-limited)[d]
Whig[71] 1844 Archibald Dixon
17   John J. Crittenden
(1787–1863)
[72][73]
September 6, 1848[74]

July 30, 1850
(resigned)[k]
Whig[75] 1848[l] John L. Helm
18   John L. Helm
(1802–1867)
[76][77]
July 30, 1850[m]

September 2, 1851
(did not run)
Whig[76] Succeeded from
lieutenant
governor
Vacant
19   Lazarus W. Powell
(1812–1867)
[79][80]
September 2, 1851[81]

September 4, 1855
(term-limited)[n]
Democratic[75] 1851 John Burton Thompson[o]
20   Charles S. Morehead
(1802–1868)
[83][84]
September 4, 1855[85]

August 30, 1859
(term-limited)[n]
American[86] 1855 James Greene Hardy
21   Beriah Magoffin
(1815–1885)
[87][88]
August 30, 1859[89]

August 18, 1862
(resigned)[p]
Democratic[90] 1859 Linn Boyd
(died December 17, 1859)
Vacant
22   James Fisher Robinson
(1800–1882)
[91][92]
August 18, 1862[93]

September 1, 1863
(did not run)
Democratic[21] Succeeded from
president of
the Senate
23   Thomas E. Bramlette
(1817–1875)
[94][95]
September 1, 1863[96]

September 3, 1867
(term-limited)[n]
Union
Democratic
[94]
1863 Richard Taylor Jacob
24   John L. Helm
(1802–1867)
[76][77]
September 3, 1867[97]

September 8, 1867
(died in office)
Democratic[21] 1867 John W. Stevenson
25   John W. Stevenson
(1812–1886)
[98][99]
September 8, 1867[100]

February 13, 1871
(resigned)[q]
Democratic[21] Succeeded from
lieutenant
governor
Vacant
1868
(special)
26   Preston Leslie
(1819–1907)
[101][102]
February 13, 1871[103]

August 31, 1875
(term-limited)[n]
Democratic[21] Succeeded from
president of
the Senate
1871 John G. Carlisle
27   James B. McCreary
(1838–1918)
[104][105]
August 31, 1875[106]

September 2, 1879
(term-limited)[n]
Democratic[21] 1875 John C. Underwood
28   Luke P. Blackburn
(1816–1887)
[107][108]
September 2, 1879[109]

September 4, 1883
(term-limited)[n]
Democratic[21] 1879 James E. Cantrill
29   J. Proctor Knott
(1830–1911)
[110][111]
September 4, 1883[112]

August 30, 1887
(term-limited)[n]
Democratic[21] 1883 James R. Hindman
30   Simon Bolivar Buckner
(1823–1914)
[113][114]
August 30, 1887[115]

September 1, 1891
(term-limited)[n]
Democratic[21] 1887 James William Bryan
31   John Y. Brown
(1835–1904)
[116][117]
September 1, 1891[118]

December 10, 1895
(term-limited)[n]
Democratic[21] 1891 Mitchell Cary Alford
32   William O'Connell Bradley
(1847–1914)
[119][120]
December 10, 1895[121]

December 12, 1899
(term-limited)[n]
Republican[21] 1895 William Jackson Worthington
33   William S. Taylor
(1853–1928)
[122][123]
December 12, 1899[124]

January 31, 1900
(removed from office)[r]
Republican[21] 1899[r] John Marshall
34   William Goebel
(1856–1900)
[125][126]
January 31, 1900[127]

February 3, 1900
(died in office)[r]
Democratic[21] J. C. W. Beckham
35   J. C. W. Beckham
(1869–1940)
[128][129]
February 3, 1900[130]

December 10, 1907
(term-limited)[n]
Democratic[21] Succeeded from
lieutenant
governor
[r]
Vacant
1900
(special)
1903 William P. Thorne
36   Augustus E. Willson
(1846–1931)
[131][132]
December 10, 1907[133]

December 12, 1911
(term-limited)[n]
Republican[21] 1907 William Hopkinson Cox
37   James B. McCreary
(1838–1918)
[104][105]
December 12, 1911[134]

December 7, 1915
(term-limited)[n]
Democratic[21] 1911 Edward J. McDermott
38   Augustus Owsley Stanley
(1867–1958)
[135][136]
December 7, 1915[137]

May 19, 1919
(resigned)[s]
Democratic[21] 1915 James D. Black
39   James D. Black
(1849–1938)
[138][139]
May 19, 1919[140]

December 9, 1919
(lost election)
Democratic[21] Succeeded from
lieutenant
governor
Vacant
40   Edwin P. Morrow
(1877–1935)
[141][142]
December 9, 1919[143]

December 11, 1923
(term-limited)[n]
Republican[21] 1919 S. Thruston Ballard
41   William J. Fields
(1874–1954)
[144][145]
December 11, 1923[146]

December 13, 1927
(term-limited)[n]
Democratic[21] 1923 Henry Denhardt
42   Flem D. Sampson
(1875–1967)
[147][148]
December 13, 1927[149]

December 8, 1931
(term-limited)[n]
Republican[21] 1927 James Breathitt Jr.[h]
43   Ruby Laffoon
(1869–1941)
[150][151]
December 8, 1931[152]

December 10, 1935
(term-limited)[n]
Democratic[21] 1931 Happy Chandler
44   Happy Chandler
(1898–1991)
[153][154]
December 10, 1935[155]

October 9, 1939
(resigned)[t]
Democratic[21] 1935 Keen Johnson
45   Keen Johnson
(1896–1970)
[156][157]
October 9, 1939[158]

December 7, 1943
(term-limited)[n]
Democratic[21] Succeeded from
lieutenant
governor
Vacant
1939 Rodes K. Myers
46   Simeon Willis
(1879–1965)
[159][160]
December 7, 1943[161]

December 9, 1947
(term-limited)[n]
Republican[21] 1943 Kenneth H. Tuggle
47   Earle Clements
(1896–1985)
[162][163]
December 9, 1947[164]

November 27, 1950
(resigned)[u]
Democratic[21] 1947 Lawrence Wetherby
48   Lawrence Wetherby
(1908–1994)
[165][166]
November 27, 1950[167]

December 13, 1955
(term-limited)[n]
Democratic[21] Succeeded from
lieutenant
governor
Vacant
1951 Emerson Beauchamp
49   Happy Chandler
(1898–1991)
[153][154]
December 13, 1955[168]

December 8, 1959
(term-limited)[n]
Democratic[21] 1955 Harry Lee Waterfield
50   Bert Combs
(1911–1991)
[169][170]
December 8, 1959[171]

December 10, 1963
(term-limited)[n]
Democratic[21] 1959 Wilson W. Wyatt
51   Ned Breathitt
(1924–2003)
[172][173]
December 10, 1963[174]

December 12, 1967
(term-limited)[n]
Democratic[21] 1963 Harry Lee Waterfield
52   Louie Nunn
(1924–2004)
[175][176]
December 12, 1967[177]

December 7, 1971
(term-limited)[n]
Republican[21] 1967 Wendell Ford[h]
53   Wendell Ford
(1924–2015)
[178][179]
December 7, 1971[180]

December 28, 1974
(resigned)[v]
Democratic[21] 1971 Julian Carroll
54   Julian Carroll
(1931–2023)
[181][182]
December 28, 1974[183]

December 11, 1979
(term-limited)[n]
Democratic[21] Succeeded from
lieutenant
governor
Vacant
1975 Thelma Stovall
55   John Y. Brown Jr.
(1933–2022)
[184]
December 11, 1979[185]

December 13, 1983
(term-limited)[n]
Democratic[184] 1979 Martha Layne Collins
56   Martha Layne Collins
(b. 1936)
[186]
December 13, 1983[187]

December 8, 1987
(term-limited)[n]
Democratic[186] 1983 Steve Beshear
57   Wallace Wilkinson
(1941–2002)
[188]
December 8, 1987[189]

December 10, 1991
(term-limited)[n]
Democratic[188] 1987 Brereton C. Jones
58   Brereton C. Jones
(1939–2023)
[190]
December 10, 1991[191]

December 12, 1995
(term-limited)[w]
Democratic[190] 1991 Paul E. Patton
59   Paul E. Patton
(b. 1937)
[193]
December 12, 1995[194]

December 9, 2003
(term-limited)[w]
Democratic[193] 1995 Steve Henry
1999
60   Ernie Fletcher
(b. 1952)
[195]
December 9, 2003[196]

December 11, 2007
(lost election)
Republican[195] 2003 Steve Pence
61   Steve Beshear
(b. 1944)
[197]
December 11, 2007[198]

December 8, 2015
(term-limited)[w]
Democratic[197] 2007 Daniel Mongiardo
2011 Jerry Abramson
(resigned November 13, 2014)
Crit Luallen
62   Matt Bevin
(b. 1967)
[199]
December 8, 2015[200]

December 10, 2019
(lost election)
Republican[199] 2015 Jenean Hampton
63   Andy Beshear
(b. 1977)
[201]
December 10, 2019[202]

Incumbent[x]
Democratic[201] 2019 Jacqueline Coleman
2023

Confederate governors

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George W. Johnson, 1st Confederate Governor of Kentucky
 
Richard Hawes, 2nd Confederate Governor of Kentucky

During the Civil War, a group of secessionists met at Russellville to form a Confederate government for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. This government never successfully displaced the government in Frankfort, and Kentucky remained in the Union through the entire war. Two men were elected governor of the Confederate government: George W. Johnson, who served from November 20, 1861, to his death on April 8, 1862, at the Battle of Shiloh, and, on Johnson's death, Richard Hawes, who served until the Confederate surrender on April 9, 1865. The Confederate government disbanded shortly after the end of the war in 1865.[204]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ The state labels Matt Bevin as the 62nd governor;[16] based on this, subsequent terms of repeat governors are numbered.
  2. ^ The office of lieutenant governor was created in 1799.[17]
  3. ^ Lieutenant governors represented the same party as their governor unless noted.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i Under the 1799 constitution, governors were ineligible for seven years after the end of their term.[25]
  5. ^ The constitutional start date would have been August 27;[21] however, contemporary news indicates Madison succeeded Shelby on September 5.[32]
  6. ^ The constitutional start date would have been August 29;[21] however, what little contemporary reporting that has been found says he was inaugurated on September 7.[38][39]
  7. ^ Kallenbach labels Metcalfe both as a Whig[46] and a National Republican;[47] Glashan labels him a National Republican;[48] and Dubin[49] and Sobel[43] describe him as a pro-Adams Administration candidate.
  8. ^ a b c Represented the Democratic Party
  9. ^ Represented the National Republican Party.
  10. ^ Glashan labels Morehead a National Republican,[56] and Sobel notes he succeeded to governor as a Whig,[53] as the National Republicans had transitioned into the Whig Party in 1834.
  11. ^ Crittenden resigned, having been confirmed as Attorney General of the United States.[72]
  12. ^ The 1850 constitution shifted the election schedule forward, shortening this term by a year.
  13. ^ Helm was sworn in on July 31, but contemporary sources say Crittenden resigned on July 30.[78]
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab Under the 1850 constitution, governors were ineligible for four years after the end of their term.[82]
  15. ^ Represented the Whig Party.
  16. ^ Magoffin resigned due to disagreement with the state legislature over neutrality in the American Civil War.[87]
  17. ^ Stevenson resigned, having been elected to the United States Senate.[98]
  18. ^ a b c d Taylor won the 1899 election and was sworn into office. However, the legislature challenged the validity of his win, claiming ballot fraud. His challenger, Goebel, was shot on January 30, 1900, but was named governor by the legislature and sworn in the next day; he died three days later. Since Lieutenant Governor Marshall's win had also been invalidated, Beckham, having been named lieutenant governor, succeeded Goebel.[122][125]
  19. ^ Stanley resigned, having been elected to the United States Senate.[135]
  20. ^ Chandler resigned so that his successor would appoint him to the United States Senate.[153]
  21. ^ Clements resigned, having been elected to the United States Senate.[162]
  22. ^ Ford resigned, having been elected to the United States Senate.[178]
  23. ^ a b c Under a 1992 amendment to the constitution, governors are ineligible for four years after the end of their second consecutive elected term.[192]
  24. ^ Beshear's second term began on December 12, 2023, and will expire December 7, 2027; he will be term-limited.[203]

References

edit
General
  • "Kentucky's Governors". Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives. Archived from the original on July 8, 2010. Retrieved July 13, 2010.
  • "Former Kentucky Governors". National Governors Association. Retrieved February 28, 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.
  • "Our Campaigns - Governor of Kentucky - History". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  • "Our Campaigns - Governor of Kentucky (CSA) - History". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
Constitution
Specific
  1. ^ KY Const. § 69.
  2. ^ KY Const. § 75.
  3. ^ KY Const. § 81
  4. ^ KY Const. § 88.
  5. ^ KY Const. § 80.
  6. ^ KY Const. § 77.
  7. ^ a b Kleber, John E., ed. (1992). "Governor, Office of". The Kentucky Encyclopedia. Lexington: The University Press of Kentucky. ISBN 0-8131-1772-0.
  8. ^ Kleber, John E., ed. (1992). "Goebel Assassination". The Kentucky Encyclopedia. Lexington: The University Press of Kentucky. ISBN 0-8131-1772-0.
  9. ^ 1799 Const. art. II, § 2–3
  10. ^ 1799 Const. art. III, § 3–5
  11. ^ 1850 Const. art. III, § 3–5
  12. ^ KY Const. § 71
  13. ^ 1792 Const. art. III, § 16–18
  14. ^ 1799 Const. art. III, § 16–18
  15. ^ KY Const. § 70
  16. ^ "Governor Matt Bevin". Governor of Kentucky. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
  17. ^ 1799 Const. art. II, § 15
  18. ^ a b c Sobel 1978, pp. 507–508.
  19. ^ a b "Isaac Shelby". National Governors Association. December 8, 2015. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  20. ^ "Carlisle, June 20". Aurora General Advertiser. June 30, 1792. p. 3. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au Kallenbach 1977, pp. 205–208.
  22. ^ Sobel 1978, pp. 508–509.
  23. ^ "James Garrard". National Governors Association. December 8, 2015. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  24. ^ "Garrard inaugurated June 1 (Other sources make it clear "1st inst." refers to June, not July)". Lancaster Intelligencer. July 22, 1796. p. 3. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  25. ^ "1799 Ky. Const. art. III, § 3". www.stateconstitutions.umd.edu. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  26. ^ Sobel 1978, p. 509.
  27. ^ "Christopher Greenup". National Governors Association. December 8, 2015. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  28. ^ Sobel 1978, p. 510.
  29. ^ "Charles Scott". National Governors Association. December 8, 2015. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  30. ^ Sobel 1978, pp. 510–511.
  31. ^ "George Madison". National Governors Association. December 8, 2015. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  32. ^ "Governor Madison". Kentucky Gazette. September 9, 1816. p. 3. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  33. ^ Sobel 1978, pp. 511–512.
  34. ^ "Gabriel Slaughter". National Governors Association. December 8, 2015. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  35. ^ "Oaths of the Governor". The Argus of Western America. September 3, 1828. p. 2. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  36. ^ Sobel 1978, pp. 512–513.
  37. ^ "John Adair". National Governors Association. December 8, 2015. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  38. ^ "none". The Evening Post. September 13, 1820. p. 2. Retrieved March 1, 2023. Gen. John Adair, is elected Governor, and William F. Barry, Lieutenant Governor, of the state of Kentucky, and entered upon the duties of their office on the 7th inst.
  39. ^ "Kentucky Election". Gettysburg Compiler. October 11, 1820. p. 1. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  40. ^ Sobel 1978, pp. 513–514.
  41. ^ "Joseph Desha". National Governors Association. December 8, 2015. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  42. ^ "Kentucky". The Charleston Daily Courier. September 17, 1824. p. 2. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  43. ^ a b Sobel 1978, p. 514.
  44. ^ "Thomas Metcalfe". National Governors Association. December 8, 2015. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  45. ^ "The Inauguration". Anti-Jackson Bulletin and Messenger of Truth. August 30, 1828. p. 3. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  46. ^ Kallenbach 1977, p. 206.
  47. ^ Kallenbach 1977, p. 209.
  48. ^ Glashan 1979, p. 108.
  49. ^ Dubin 2003, p. 1828.
  50. ^ Sobel 1978, p. 515.
  51. ^ "John Breathitt". National Governors Association. December 8, 2015. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  52. ^ Dubin 2003, p. 29.
  53. ^ a b c Sobel 1978, pp. 515–516.
  54. ^ "James Turner Morehead". National Governors Association. December 8, 2015. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  55. ^ "Death of Gov. Breathitt". The Pittsburgh Gazette. March 5, 1834. p. 2. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  56. ^ Glashan 1979, p. 104.
  57. ^ Sobel 1978, pp. 516–517.
  58. ^ "James Clark". National Governors Association. December 8, 2015. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  59. ^ "Governor Clark". The Courier-Journal. September 3, 1836. p. 2. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  60. ^ Dubin 2003, p. 74.
  61. ^ a b Sobel 1978, pp. 517–518.
  62. ^ "Charles Anderson Wickliffe". National Governors Association. December 8, 2015. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  63. ^ "Death of the Governor of Kentucky". Kentucky Gazette. August 29, 1839. p. 2. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  64. ^ Sobel 1978, p. 518.
  65. ^ "Robert Perkins Letcher". National Governors Association. December 8, 2015. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  66. ^ "New of the Week". The Native American. September 19, 1840. p. 3. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  67. ^ Dubin 2003, p. 75.
  68. ^ Sobel 1978, p. 519.
  69. ^ "William Owsley". National Governors Association. December 8, 2015. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  70. ^ "none". The Courier-Journal. September 7, 1844. p. 3. Retrieved August 26, 2023. The Hon. Wm. Owsley took the usual oath of office at Frankfort on Wednesday, and is now Governor of this State.
  71. ^ Dubin 2003, p. 76.
  72. ^ a b Sobel 1978, pp. 519–520.
  73. ^ "John Jordan Crittenden". National Governors Association. December 8, 2015. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
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