List of governors of Louisiana

The governor of Louisiana is the head of government of the U.S. state of Louisiana. The governor is the head of the executive branch of Louisiana's state government and is charged with enforcing state laws. Republican Jeff Landry has served as the current governor since January 8, 2024.

List of governors

Territory of Orleans

Louisiana was purchased by the United States from France in 1803. On October 1, 1804, Orleans Territory was organized from the southern part of the Purchase, with the remainder being made the District of Louisiana and placed under the jurisdiction of Indiana Territory. The District of Louisiana would later become Louisiana Territory, but after Orleans Territory became the state of Louisiana, Louisiana Territory was renamed Missouri Territory.

+ Governor of the Territory of OrleansGovernorTerm in officeAppointed byWilliam C. C. ClaiborneDecember 20, 1803–July 30, 1812Thomas JeffersonJames Madison

State of Louisiana Louisiana was admitted to the Union on April 30, 1812. It seceded from the Union on January 26, 1861, and it was a founding member of the Confederate States of America on February 8, 1861.Constitution for the Provisional Government of the Confederate States of America , accessed July 8, 2015 However, since substantial parts of the state remained in Union hands throughout the war, there were two lines of governors elected. Following the end of the American Civil War, Louisiana during Reconstruction was part of the Fifth Military District, which exerted some control over governor appointments and elections. Louisiana was readmitted to the Union on July 9, 1868.Act authorizing readmission on ratification of 14th amendment: . Proclamation of Louisiana's ratification: .

The 1812 constitution established the office of governor, to serve for four years1812 Const., art. III, § 2 starting from the fourth Monday after the election.1812 Const., art. III, § 5 In 1845, the start date was moved to the fourth Monday of the January after the election;1845 Const., art. 40 in 1864, it was moved to the second Monday of the January after the election;1864 Const., art. 45 in 1879 it was moved to the first Monday after the General Assembly announced the election result; the 1921 Constitution fixed the new inauguration date as the second Tuesday in May.1879 Const., art. 61 The 1974 Constitution changed the date, effective in 1980, to the second Monday of the March following the election; this was amended in 1987, to become effective in 1992, to the second Monday of January.LA Const., art. IV, § 3 Governors were not allowed to succeed themselves1812 Const., art. III, § 3 until 1864, when the constitution held no term limits. The restriction on governors succeeding themselves was reintroduced in 1868,1868 Const., art. 50 removed in 1870, and again added in 1898.1898 Const., art. 63 An amendment to the constitution passed in 1966 allowed governors to succeed themselves once before requiring a gap before they can be elected again. Five governors have served nonconsecutive terms. Andre B. Roman, Francis T. Nicholls, and Jimmie Davis each served two non-consecutive terms, while Earl Long and Edwin Edwards both served in three distinct stints.

In the event of a vacancy, the President of the Senate originally acted as governor.1812 Const., art III, § 17 The 1845 constitution created the office of lieutenant governor, to be elected at the same time and manner as the governor1845 Const., art. 38 and who would act as governor in the event of a vacancy.1845 Const., art. 43 The 1913 constitution established that the lieutenant governor would become governor in case of a vacancy.1913 Const., art. 66 The governor and the lieutenant governor are not officially elected on the same ticket.

+ Governors of the State of LouisianaGovernorTerm in officePartyElectionLt. Governor1 William C. C. ClaiborneJuly 30, 1812–December 17, 1816Democratic-Republican1812Office did not exist2Jacques VilleréDecember 17, 1816–December 18, 1820Democratic-Republican18163Thomas B. RobertsonDecember 18, 1820–November 15, 1824Democratic-Republican18204Henry S. ThibodauxNovember 15, 1824–December 13, 1824Democratic-Republican5Henry JohnsonDecember 13, 1824–December 15, 1828AdamsRepublican18246Pierre DerbignyDecember 15, 1828–October 6, 1829AdamsRepublican18287Arnaud BeauvaisOctober 6, 1829–January 14, 1830NationalRepublican8Jacques DupréJanuary 14, 1830–January 31, 1831NationalRepublican9André B. RomanJanuary 31, 1831–February 2, 1835NationalRepublican183010Edward Douglass White Sr.February 2, 1835–February 4, 1839Whig18349André B. RomanFebruary 4, 1839–January 30, 1843Whig183811Alexandre MoutonJanuary 30, 1843–February 12, 1846Democratic184212Isaac JohnsonFebruary 12, 1846–January 28, 1850Democratic1846 13Joseph Marshall WalkerJanuary 28, 1850–January 20, 1853Democratic184914Paul Octave HébertJanuary 20, 1853–January 28, 1856Democratic185215Robert C. WickliffeJanuary 28, 1856–January 23, 1860Democratic185516Thomas Overton MooreJanuary 23, 1860–January 25, 1864Democratic185917George Foster ShepleyJuly 2, 1862–March 4, 1864Vacant18Henry Watkins AllenJanuary 25, 1864–June 2, 1865Democratic1863(Confederate)19Michael HahnMarch 4, 1864–March 4, 1865Union Free Trade(Republican)1864(Union)20James Madison WellsMarch 4, 1865–June 3, 1867Citizens TicketVacant186521Benjamin FlandersJune 6, 1867–January 2, 1868Vacant22Joshua BakerJanuary 2, 1868–June 27, 186823Henry C. WarmothJune 27, 1868–December 9, 1872Republican1868Vacant24P. B. S. PinchbackDecember 9, 1872–January 13, 1873RepublicanVacant25John McEneryJanuary 13, 1873–May 22, 1873Democratic187226William Pitt KelloggJanuary 13, 1873–January 8, 1877Republican27Stephen B. PackardJanuary 8, 1877–April 25, 1877Republican187628Francis T. NichollsJanuary 8, 1877–January 14, 1880Democratic29Louis A. WiltzJanuary 14, 1880–October 16, 1881Democratic187930Samuel D. McEneryOctober 16, 1881–May 21, 1888Democratic188428Francis T. NichollsMay 21, 1888–May 16, 1892Democratic188831Murphy J. FosterMay 16, 1892–May 21, 1900Anti-LotteryDemocratic1892189632William Wright HeardMay 21, 1900–May 16, 1904Democratic190033Newton C. BlanchardMay 16, 1904–May 18, 1908Democratic190434Jared Y. Sanders Sr.May 18, 1908–May 20, 1912Democratic190835Luther E. HallMay 20, 1912–May 15, 1916Democratic191236Ruffin G. PleasantMay 15, 1916–May 17, 1920Democratic191637John M. ParkerMay 17, 1920–May 19, 1924Democratic192038Henry L. FuquaMay 19, 1924–October 11, 1926Democratic192439Oramel H. SimpsonOctober 11, 1926–May 21, 1928Democratic40Huey LongMay 21, 1928–January 25, 1932Democratic192841Alvin Olin KingJanuary 25, 1932–May 16, 1932DemocraticVacant42Oscar K. AllenMay 16, 1932–January 28, 1936Democratic193243James A. NoeJanuary 28, 1936–May 12, 1936DemocraticVacant44Richard W. LecheMay 12, 1936–June 26, 1939Democratic193645Earl LongJune 26, 1939–May 14, 1940Democratic46Sam H. JonesMay 14, 1940–May 9, 1944Democratic194047Jimmie DavisMay 9, 1944–May 11, 1948Democratic194445Earl LongMay 11, 1948–May 13, 1952Democratic194848Robert F. KennonMay 13, 1952–May 15, 1956Democratic195245Earl LongMay 15, 1956–May 10, 1960Democratic195647Jimmie DavisMay 10, 1960–May 12, 1964Democratic196049John McKeithenMay 12, 1964–May 9, 1972Democratic1964196850Edwin EdwardsMay 9, 1972–March 10, 1980Democratic1972197551Dave TreenMarch 10, 1980–March 12, 1984Republican197950Edwin EdwardsMarch 12, 1984–March 14, 1988Democratic198352Buddy RoemerMarch 14, 1988–January 13, 1992Democratic198750Edwin EdwardsJanuary 13, 1992–January 8, 1996Democratic199153Mike FosterJanuary 8, 1996–January 12, 2004Republican1995199954Kathleen BlancoJanuary 12, 2004–January 14, 2008Democratic200355Bobby JindalJanuary 14, 2008–January 11, 2016Republican2007201156John Bel EdwardsJanuary 11, 2016–January 8, 2024Democratic2015201957Jeff LandryJanuary 8, 2024–IncumbentRepublican2023

See also List of Louisiana state legislatures List of colonial governors of Louisiana Gubernatorial lines of succession in the United States#Louisiana

Notes

References

Bibliography

External links

Office of the Governor of Louisiana