
# | Governor (Birth–Death) | Term in office |
---|---|---|
— | Edward H. East (1830–1904) | March 4, 1865 – April 5, 1865 |
17 | William G. Brownlow (1805–1877) | April 5, 1865 – February 25, 1869 |
18 | Dewitt Clinton Senter (1830–1898) | February 25, 1869 – October 10, 1871 |
19 | John C. Brown (1827–1889) | October 10, 1871 – January 18, 1875 |
Who was the Governor of Tennessee during the Civil War?
After Johnson was inaugurated as Vice President of the United States on March 4, 1865, East became the Acting Governor of Tennessee until William G. Brownlow, the "elected" governor of Tennessee, was inaugurated on April 5, 1865. The official Tennessee Blue Book does not include East in its list of former governors.
What did Andrew Johnson do as governor of Tennessee?
As Military Governor, Andrew Johnson worked tirelessly to reestablish a Union government in Tennessee. He wrote Abraham Lincoln on January 17, 1865 to see if his inauguration as Vice-President could be delayed:
Who is the current governor of Tennessee Right Now?
Current officer. The 49th and current governor is Bill Haslam, a Republican elected in 2010. He won re-election to a second term in 2014. The state Constitution addresses the office of the governor in Article III, the Executive Department.
How many governors of Tennessee have there been?
Tennessee has had 50 governors, including the incumbent, Bill Lee. [4] Seven governors ( John Sevier, William Carroll, Andrew Johnson, Robert Love Taylor, Gordon Browning, Frank G. Clement, and Buford Ellington) have served non-consecutive terms.
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Who was the governor of Tennessee after the Civil War?
Isham G. Harris16th Governor of TennesseeIn office November 3, 1857 – March 12, 1862Preceded byAndrew JohnsonSucceeded byAndrew Johnson as Military Governor29 more rows
Who was Tennessee's first elected governor?
John SevierJohn Sevier, 1796-1801; 1803-1809, Democrat. He was elected governor of the state of Franklin at the end of the Revolutionary War, and as such became the first governor in what would be Tennessee. When statehood was attained in 1796, Sevier was elected its first governor. He served six terms totaling twelve years.
Who became Tennessee's governor in 1835?
Former Governors - TennesseeGovernor's NameStateTime in OfficeGov. Newton CannonTennessee1835 - 1839Gov. William CarrollTennessee1829 - 1835 1821 - 1827Gov. William HallTennessee1829 - 1829Gov. Joseph McMinnTennessee1815 - 182146 more rows
Who were the governors of Tennessee?
Bill Lee (Republican Party)Tennessee / GovernorWilliam Byron Lee is an American businessman, cattle farmer, former mechanical engineer, and politician serving as the 50th governor of Tennessee since 2019. Elected in 2018, Lee is a member of the Republican Party. Wikipedia
Who won governor in Tennessee?
Bill Lee (Republican Party)Tennessee / Governor
What has Bill Lee done for Tennessee?
Since becoming Governor in 2019, Governor Lee has focused on several priorities including quality education, economic development, public safety, and supporting families, all with a particular focus on the accelerated transformation of rural Tennessee.
When was the last time TN had a Democratic governor?
The last governor of Tennessee from the Democratic party was Phil Bredesen. He served two terms as the governor of Tennessee from 2003 to 2011. After that, Bill Haslam took over as the governor of Tennessee from 2011 to 2019, and he was a member of the Republican party.
Who was governor of Tennessee 1956?
Frank Goad ClementFrank Goad Clement (June 2, 1920 – November 4, 1969) was an American lawyer and politician who served as the 41st Governor of Tennessee from 1953 to 1959 and from 1963 to 1967.
Who was governor of Tennessee 1942?
1942 Tennessee gubernatorial electionNomineePrentice CooperC. N. FrazierPartyDemocraticRepublicanPopular vote120,14851,120Percentage70.15%29.85%1 more row
How much does the governor of Tennessee make?
Governor of TennesseeFormationMarch 30, 1796DeputyLieutenant Governor of Tennessee (The Speaker of the Senate holds the title and succession)Salary$178,356 (2013)WebsiteOfficial website9 more rows
Who was the first black governor of Tennessee?
Leonard Ray Blanton (April 10, 1930 – November 22, 1996) was an American businessman and politician who served as the 44th governor of Tennessee from 1975 to 1979. He also served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, from 1967 to 1973.
How many governors has Tennessee had?
50 governorsTennessee has had 50 governors, including the incumbent, Bill Lee. Seven governors (John Sevier, William Carroll, Andrew Johnson, Robert Love Taylor, Gordon Browning, Frank G. Clement, and Buford Ellington) have served non-consecutive terms.
Who was the first black governor of Tennessee?
Leonard Ray Blanton (April 10, 1930 – November 22, 1996) was an American businessman and politician who served as the 44th governor of Tennessee from 1975 to 1979. He also served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, from 1967 to 1973.
Who was governor of Tennessee 1942?
1942 Tennessee gubernatorial electionNomineePrentice CooperC. N. FrazierPartyDemocraticRepublicanPopular vote120,14851,120Percentage70.15%29.85%1 more row
Who was governor of Tennessee 1956?
Frank Goad ClementFrank Goad Clement (June 2, 1920 – November 4, 1969) was an American lawyer and politician who served as the 41st Governor of Tennessee from 1953 to 1959 and from 1963 to 1967.
What is the salary of the governor of Tennessee?
Governor of TennesseeFormationMarch 30, 1796DeputyLieutenant Governor of Tennessee (The Speaker of the Senate holds the title and succession)Salary$178,356 (2013)WebsiteOfficial website9 more rows
Who was the governor of Tennessee in 1865?
After Johnson was inaugurated as Vice President of the United States on March 4, 1865, East became the Acting Governor of Tennessee until William G. Brownlow, the "elected" governor of Tennessee, was inaugurated on April 5, 1865. The official Tennessee Blue Book does not include East in its list of former governors.
Who is the 49th governor of Tennessee?
↑ Numbering of the Governors was deduced from the fact that the document at www.tn.gov/sos/bluebook/11-12/2_ExecutiveBranch.pdf identifies Bill Haslam as Tennessee's 49th Governor. Governors who served multiple non-consecutive terms have their numbers repeated in italics in subsequent terms.
Who was the secretary of state for Tennessee during the Civil War?
Confederate Tennesseans elected Robert L. Caruthers as Harris's successor in 1863, but Caruthers never took office. ↑ East was Tennessee Secretary of State from 1862–1865, appointed by Andrew Johnson, the military governor of the state under Union occupation during the Civil War.
Who was the governor of Tennessee in 2006?
2006. On November 7, 2006, Phil Bredesen won re-election to the office of Governor of Tennessee. He defeated Jim Bryson (R) and 7 Independent candidates in the general election. [ hide] Governor of Tennessee, 2006.
Who won the Tennessee governor's primary?
Karl Dean defeated Craig Fitzhugh and Mezianne Vale Payne in the Democratic primary for Governor of Tennessee on August 2, 2018.
How many governors have been elected in Tennessee?
There have been 50 different governors of Tennessee since 1796. Counting those who served multiple, non-consecutive terms brings the total to 58, as reflected in the chart below. The breakdown of the 50 officeholders is as follows: 32 Democrats, 6 Democratic-Republicans, 7 Republicans, 3 Whigs, 2 Whig/Know-Nothing, 2 Republican/Whig, 1 Democratic/Opposition Party, 1 Democratic/Whig, and 1 Farm-Labor.
How long does a Tennessee resident have to be a citizen?
a citizen of the United States. a citizen of Tennessee for at least seven years upon his or her election. Additionally, no member of Congress and no one holding any other state office or any federal office may execute the duties of the office of the governor.
What is the job of the governor of Tennessee?
Duties. The Governor is the head of the executive branch of Tennessee's government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces ( § 5 ). The governor has a duty to enforce state laws and the state constitution ( § 10 ). The governor is also the keeper of the Great Seal of the State of Tennessee ( § 15 ).
What is the budget for the Governor's Office in 2022?
The budget for the Governor's Office in Fiscal Year 2022 was $5,711,000.
When is the next election for governor in Tennessee?
Tennessee elects governors in the midterm elections, that is, even years that are not presidential election years. For Tennessee, 2018, 2022, 2026, 2030, and 2034 are all gubernatorial election years.
Who freed slaves in Tennessee?
On October 24, 1864, Johnson freed all the slaves in the state of Tennessee. As Military Governor, Andrew Johnson worked tirelessly to reestablish a Union government in Tennessee. He wrote Abraham Lincoln on January 17, 1865 to see if his inauguration as Vice-President could be delayed:
When did Andrew Johnson free slaves?
According to tradition, Military Governor Andrew Johnson freed his personal slaves on August 8, 1863. By September 8, 1863, even the New York Times stated that "Gov. JOHNSON thus plants himself on the extreme Anti-Slavery ground -- ". On October 24, 1864, Johnson freed all the slaves in the state of Tennessee.
Was Tennessee a seceded state?
Tennessee, although a seceded state, did not fall under the provisions of the proclamation. Tennessee was under Union control, and Andrew Johnson was serving as Military Governor. During the Civil War, Andrew Johnson's previous idea of slavery shifted: "Before the rebellion, I was for sustaining the Government with slavery;
What happened in Tennessee in 1861?
In 1861, a large portion of the people of Tennessee, and other Southern States of the Union, attempted, by an armed rebellion, to throw off their allegiance to the Government of the United States, and to erect within the territory, a separate and independent government; and war followed, which continued until 1865. During its progress, the Governor, and many of the officers of the State, fled, carrying with them the archives and treasures of the State. Most of the Courts of justice were closed. The people of the State were without an organized State Government. A dismal anarchy overspread the land. Roving bands of banditti plundered the citizens with impunity. They were without protection of law, and there was no security for life or property. Fear had seized upon the hearts of the people. The land was drenched in blood, and anarchy reigned supreme.
What was the significance of Tennessee's participation in the election?
Tennessee’s participation in the election would be an important step in resuming its place in the Union. Of course, it was crucial that the state support the Lincoln-Johnson ticket , which ran on the platform of emancipation. Conservative Unionists thought that went too far and noted, truthfully, that emancipation was against the will of the majority of the state’s voters. A convention of Unionists of all stripes in Nashville resulted in the Radicals drowning out Conservative speeches. When the Conservatives walked out, the remaining delegates resolved that voters in the election would be required to take an oath not only pledging support of the government but also opposing peace with the Rebels. Johnson formalized this requirement on Sept. 30 for all voters except those of “established loyalty” (as determined by Johnson’s poll workers). Those not fitting that description had to subscribe to an oath that contained a clause requiring the voter to “cordially oppose all armistices or negotiations for peace with rebels in arms,” effectively a repudiation of the McClellan platform. A Conservative delegation from Tennessee approached Lincoln, protesting that Johnson had imposed a qualification outside the statutory law of Tennessee. Lincoln, suspicious that the delegation was one of his opponent’s tricks, replied to their complaint “that I expect to let the friends of George B. McClellan manage their side of this contest in their own way, and that I will manage my side of it in my way.” Later, Lincoln more formally replied to the effect that as the national executive, he had no role in state matters of this nature and that Johnson’s requirement was “an independent movement of, at least, a portion of the loyal people of Tennessee.” Soon afterward, McClellan’s supporters in the state withdrew his name from the ballot in the state. Lincoln and Johnson won the state (and the election as a whole), but in the end Congress rejected the state’s vote as invalid. [13]
What was the purpose of the 1865 Constitutional Convention?
From the very start of the convention on Monday, Jan. 9, 1865, two schools of thought contended as to its ultimate purpose. On the one hand, Conservatives advocated that the business of the convention should simply be to nominate delegates to a constitutional convention. Radicals, led by Andrew Johnson’s close ally, Judge Samuel Milligan, advocated that the convention proceed to offer amendments itself. As Milligan was the chief proponent of the proposal, it is almost certain that its source was Johnson himself, perhaps because it was feared that if there were an election for delegates, Conservatives would have more influence. The Nashville Union summarized Milligan’s argument as follows:
What was the purpose of Andrew Johnson's visit to Nashville?
On March 12, 1862, former Tennessee governor and United States Senator Andrew Johnson arrived in Nashville with the historically unprecedented task of facilitating the return of a seceded state back into the Union. Appointed military governor with the rank of brigadier general in the United States Army, Johnson was to serve during the pleasure of Abraham Lincoln, president of the United States, “or until the loyal inhabitants of that state shall organize a civil government in conformity with the Constitution of the United States.” As events would transpire, Johnson would serve in that capacity almost three years, leaving at the end of February 1865 to assume the vice-presidency of the United States. With the formal restoration of civilian government scheduled for six weeks from his departure for Washington, Johnson could justifiably proclaim that “a new era dawns upon the people of Tennessee.” [1]
Why did the irregular convention restore civil government in Tennessee?
Because the political power of the time recognized the work of Andrew Johnson and the 1865 delegates as such, the work of the “irregular” convention had the force of law, which in turn restored civil government to Tennessee in 1865.
Who wrote the Smith v. Isenhour opinion?
Even though it must be conceded that most of the opinions were written by Unionist judges who would be closely allied with Johnson in 1865 and 1866, a strong streak of practicality is demonstrated in the court's opinions. In Smith v. Isenhour, 43 Tenn 214, 218 (1866), the court recognized the power of the people to alter or change their form of government, “but whether they have changed it or not, by abolishing the old government, and establishing a new one, is a question to be settled by the political power.” In the end, the “amended constitution of 1865, however informally and irregularly adopted, was recognized by the political department of the Government, viz: the President and Congress of the United States.” Andrews v. Page, 50 Tenn. 653, 659-60 (1870). [22]
Who published the letter granting Lincoln a full pardon?
Tennessee’s attorney general, Horace Maynard, published a letter distinguishing Lincoln’s oath as an amnesty oath as granting a “full pardon” and restoring property rights, except rights in slaves. Johnson’s oath, on the other hand, was an “oath of allegiance.”

Authority
This is a list of people who have served as governor of Tennessee.
The governor's term in office is limited by the Tennessee state constitution. The first constitution, enacted in 1796, set a term of two years for the governor and provided that no person could serve as governor for more than 6 years in any 8-year period. The term of office was lengthened to four years, without the possibility of consecutive terms, by constitutional amendments adopted in 19…
Qualifications
Duties
Elections
- A candidate for governor must be: 1. at least 30 years old 2. a citizen of the United States 3. a citizen of Tennessee for at least seven years upon his or her election Additionally, no member of Congress and no one holding any other state office or any federal office may execute the duties of the office of the governor.
Divisions
- The Governor is the head of the executive branch of Tennessee's government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces (§ 5). The governor has a duty to enforce state laws and the state constitution (§ 10). The governor is also the keeper of the Great Seal of the State of Tennessee (§ 15). According to Article III of the Tennessee Constitution, other duties an…
State Budget
- Tennesseeelects governors in the midterm elections, that is, even years that are not presidential election years. For Tennessee, 2018, 2022, 2026, 2030, and 2034 are all gubernatorial election years. Legally, the gubernatorial inauguration is always set for the third Saturday in the January following an election. In the event of a tie or a contested election, a joint session of the legislatur…
Historical Officeholders
- Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for information that describes the divisions (if any exist) of a state executive office. That information for the Governor of Tennessee has not yet been added. After extensive research we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional informa…
History
- Role in state budget
1. 1.1. See also: Tennessee state budget and finances The state operates on an annual budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows: 1. Budget instructions are sent to state agencies in Augustof the year preceding the start of the new fiscal year. 2. State ag… - Governor's office budget
The budget for the Governor's Office in Fiscal Year 2022 was $5,711,000.
Recent News
- There have been 50 different governors of Tennessee since 1796. Counting those who served multiple, non-consecutive terms brings the total to 58, as reflected in the chart below. The breakdown of the 50 officeholders is as follows: 32 Democrats, 6 Democratic-Republicans, 7 Republicans, 3 Whigs, 2 Whig/Know-Nothing, 2 Republican/Whig, 1 Democratic/Opposition Party…
Contact Information
- Partisan balance 1992-2013
1. 1.1. See also: Ballotpedia:Who Runs the States and Ballotpedia:Who Runs the States, Tennessee From 1992-2013, in Tennessee there were Democratic governors in office for 11 years while there were Republican governors in office for 11 years, including the last three. Tennessee …