Governor of Massachusetts

Head of government of Massachusetts

Governor of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Seal of the governor

Standard of the governor

Incumbent
Maura Healey

since January 5, 2023

Government of Massachusetts
Style|

* Governor (informal)
* Her Excellency (formal)

Status| Head of state
Head of government
Member of| Governor's Council
Cabinet
Residence| None official
Seat| State House, Boston, Massachusetts
Nominator| Nominating petition,
Political parties
Appointer| Popular vote
Term length| Four years, no term limits[1]
Constituting instrument| Constitution of Massachusetts
Formation| Original post:
April 30, 1629
Current form:
October 25, 1780
First holder| John Endecott
Deputy| Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts
Salary| $185,000 (2022)[2]
Website| Official website

The governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the chief executive officer of the government of Massachusetts. The governor is the head of the state cabinet and the commander-in-chief of the commonwealth's military forces.

Massachusetts has a republican system of government that is akin to a presidential system. The governor acts as the head of government while having a distinct role from that of the legislative branch. The governor has far-reaching political obligations, including ceremonial and political duties. The governor also signs bills into law and has veto power. The governor is a member of the Massachusetts Governor's Council, a popularly elected council with eight members who provide advice and consent on certain legal matters and appointments.[3]

Beginning with the Massachusetts Bay Company in 1629, the role of the governor has changed throughout its history in terms of powers and selection. The modern form of the position was created in the 1780 Constitution of Massachusetts, which called for the position of a "supreme executive magistrate".[4]

Governors of Massachusetts are elected every four years during state elections that are held on the first Tuesday of November after November 1. As of November 2022, the most recent Massachusetts gubernatorial election was held in 2022. Following each gubernatorial election, the elected governor is inaugurated on the Thursday after the first Wednesday in January following the election.[5] There are no term limits restricting how long a governor may serve.[6][7][8] The longest-serving Massachusetts governor is Michael Dukakis, who served 12 years; Dukakis was in office from 1975 to 1979 and from 1983 to 1991. The current governor is Maura Healey, a Democrat who won the 2022 gubernatorial election.

## Qualifications

[edit]

Any person seeking to become governor of Massachusetts must meet the following requirements:[9]

* Be at least eighteen years of age
* Be a registered voter in Massachusetts
* Be a Massachusetts resident for at least seven years when elected
* Receive 10,000 signatures from registered voters on nomination papers

## Election and term

[edit]

The governor is an elected position. The term of office is four years, with no term limit.

Elections for governor are held on a four-year basis concurrently with elections for the offices of lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of the commonwealth, state treasurer, and state auditor.

## History

[edit]

The role of governor has existed in Massachusetts since the Royal Charter of 1628. The original role was one of a president of the board of a joint-stock company, namely the Massachusetts Bay Company. The governor would be elected by freemen, who were shareholders of the company. These shareholders were mostly colonists themselves who fit certain religious requirements. The governor acted in a vice-regal manner, overseeing the governance and functioning of the colony. Originally they were supposed to reside in London, as was the case with other colonial company governors, although this protocol was broken when John Winthrop was appointed governor. The governor served as the executive of the colony, originally elected annually, they were joined by a Council of Assistants. This council was a group of magistrates who performed judicial functions, acted as an upper house of the General Court, and provided advice and consent to the governor. The early governors of Massachusetts Bay were staunchly Puritan colonists who wished to form a state that coincided with religious law.[10]

With the founding of the Dominion of New England by James II of England, the New England colonies were combined with the Province of New York, Province of West Jersey, and the Province of East Jersey. During this period (1686–1689) Massachusetts had no governor of its own. Instead there existed a royally appointed governor who resided in Boston and served at the King's pleasure. Though there existed a council which served as a quasi-legislature, however the logistics of calling the council to meet were so arduous that the Dominion was essentially governed by the Crown through the royal governor. The reason for the creation of such a post was there existed tremendous hostility between the Kingdom of England and the colonists of Massachusetts Bay. In an effort to bring the colonies under tighter control the Crown dismantled the old assembly system and created the Viceroy system based on the Spanish model in New Spain. This model of government was greatly disliked by the colonists all throughout British North America but especially in New England where colonists at one time did have some semblance of democratic and local control. With the Glorious Revolution and the Boston Revolt the Dominion was abolished in 1689.[11]

With the creation of the Massachusetts Charter in 1691, the role of civilian governor was restored in Massachusetts Bay. Now the Province of Massachusetts Bay, the colony then encompassed the territory of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, the Plymouth Colony, and areas of what is now the state of Maine. The governor however would not be chosen by the electorate, instead the position would remain a royal appointment. In order to ease tensions with royal authorities and the colonists the General Court was reestablished and given significant powers. This created acrimony between the governors and the assembly of the General Court. The governor could veto any decision made by the assembly and had control over the militia, however the General Court had authority of the treasury and provincial finances. This meant that in the event the governor did not agree with or consent with the rulings and laws of the General Court then the assembly would threaten to withhold any pay for the governor and other Royal Officers.[12]

From 1765 on the unraveling of the Province into a full political crisis only increased the tensions between the governor and the people of Massachusetts Bay. Following the passage of the Stamp Act Governor Thomas Hutchinson had his home broken into and ransacked. The early stages of the American Revolution saw political turmoil in Massachusetts Bay. With the passage of the Intolerable Acts the then Royal Governor Thomas Gage dissolved the General Court and began to govern the province by decree. In 1774 the Massachusetts Provincial Congress was formed as an alternative revolutionary government to the royal government in Boston. With Massachusetts Bay declaring its independence in May 1776 the role of governor was vacant for four years. The executive role during this time was filled by the Governor's Council, the Committee of Safety, and the president of the Congress when in session.[12]

With the adoption of the Constitution of Massachusetts in 1780 the role of an elected civilian governor was restored. John Hancock was elected as the first governor of the independent commonwealth on October 25, 1780.[12]

## Constitutional role

[edit]

Part the Second, Chapter II, Section I, Article I of the Massachusetts Constitution reads,

> There shall be a supreme executive magistrate, who shall be styled, The Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; and whose title shall be – His Excellency.

The governor of Massachusetts is the chief executive of the commonwealth, and is supported by a number of subordinate officers. He, like most other state officers, senators, and representatives, was originally elected annually. In 1918 this was changed to a two-year term, and since 1966 the office of governor has carried a four-year term. The governor of Massachusetts does not receive a mansion or other official residence and resides in their own private residence. However, the governor does receive a housing allowance/stipend for $65,000. The title "His Excellency" is a holdover from the royally appointed governors of the Province of Massachusetts Bay. The first governor to use the title was Richard Coote, 1st Earl of Bellomont, in 1699; since he was an Earl, it was thought proper to call him "Your Excellency." The title was retained until 1742, when an order from King George II forbade its further use. However, the framers of the state constitution revived it because they found it fitting to dignify the governor with this title.[13]

The governor also serves as commander-in-chief of the commonwealth's armed forces.

## Succession

[edit]

See also: Gubernatorial lines of succession in the United States § Massachusetts

According to the Massachusetts State Constitution:

> Whenever the chair of the governor shall be vacant, by reason of his death, or absence from the commonwealth, or otherwise, the lieutenant governor, for the time being, shall, during such vacancy, perform all the duties incumbent upon the governor, and shall have and exercise all the powers and authorities, which by this constitution the governor is vested with, when personally present.[14]

The Constitution does not use the term "acting governor", but the practice in Massachusetts has been that the lieutenant governor retains the position and title as "lieutenant governor" and becomes acting governor, not governor. The lieutenant governor, when acting as governor, is referred to as "the lieutenant-governor, acting governor" in official documents.[15]

Despite this terminology, the Massachusetts courts have found that the full authority of the office of the governor devolves to the lieutenant governor upon vacancy in the office of governor, and that there is no circumstance short of death, resignation, or impeachment that would relieve the acting governor from the full gubernatorial responsibilities.[citation needed]

The first use of the succession provision occurred in 1785, five years after the constitution's adoption, when Governor John Hancock resigned the post, leaving Lieutenant Governor Thomas Cushing as acting governor. Most recently, Jane Swift became acting governor upon the resignation of Paul Cellucci.

When the constitution was first adopted, the Governor's Council was charged with acting as governor in the event that both the governorship and lieutenant governorship were vacant. This occurred in 1799 when Governor Increase Sumner died in office on June 7, 1799, leaving Lieutenant Governor Moses Gill as acting governor. Acting Governor Gill never received a lieutenant and died on May 20, 1800, between that year's election and the inauguration of Governor-elect Caleb Strong. The Governor's Council served as the executive for ten days; the council's chair, Thomas Dawes was at no point named governor or acting governor.

Article LV of the Constitution, enacted in 1918, created a new line of succession:

#  | Office  | Current officeholder

|
|

| Governor of Massachusetts | Maura Healey (D)
1  | Lieutenant Governor | Kim Driscoll (D)
2  | Secretary of the Commonwealth | William F. Galvin (D)
3  | Attorney General | Andrea Campbell (D)
4  | Treasurer and Receiver-General | Deb Goldberg (D)
5  | Auditor | Diana DiZoglio (D)

## Cabinet

[edit]

The governor has a 10-person cabinet, each of whom oversees a portion of the government under direct administration (as opposed to independent executive agencies). See Government of Massachusetts for a complete listing.

## Traditions

[edit]

The front doors of the State House are only opened when a governor leaves office, a head of state or the president of the United States comes to visit the State House, or for the return of flags from Massachusetts regiments at the end of wars. The tradition of the ceremonial door originated when departing governor Benjamin Butler kicked open the front door and walked out by himself in 1884.

Incoming governors usually choose at least one past governor's portrait to hang in their office.

Immediately before being sworn into office, the governor-elect receives four symbols from the departing governor: the ceremonial pewter "Key" for the governor's office door, the Butler Bible, the "Gavel", and a two-volume set of the Massachusetts General Statutes with a personal note from the departing governor to their successor added to the back of the text. The governor-elect is then escorted by the sergeant-at-arms to the House Chamber and sworn in by the President of the Senate before a joint session of the House and Senate.[16]

### Lone walk

[edit]

Upon completion of their term, the departing governor takes a "lone walk" down the Grand Staircase, through the House of Flags, into Doric Hall, out the central doors, and down the steps of the Massachusetts State House. The governor then crosses the street into Boston Common, thereby symbolically rejoining the commonwealth as a private citizen. Benjamin Butler started the tradition in 1884.[17] Some walks have been modified with some past governors having their wives, friends, or staff accompany them.[18] A 19-gun salute is offered during the walk, and frequently the steps are lined by the outgoing governor's friends and supporters.[19]

In January 1991, outgoing lieutenant governor Evelyn Murphy, the first woman elected to statewide office in Massachusetts, walked down the stairs before Governor Michael Dukakis. In a break from tradition, the January 2007 inauguration of Governor Deval Patrick took place the day after outgoing governor Mitt Romney took the lone walk down the front steps.[19]

## Governor's residence

[edit]

Despite several proposals for establishing an official residence for the governor of Massachusetts, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts does not have a governor's mansion.

In 1955, Governor Foster Furcolo turned down a proposal to establish the Shirley–Eustis House in Roxbury, built by royal Governor William Shirley, as the official residence.[20]

At one time, Governor John A. Volpe accepted the donation of the Endicott Estate in Dedham from the heirs of Henry Bradford Endicott. He intended to renovate the 19th-century mansion into a splendid governor's residence.[21] After Volpe resigned to become United States Secretary of Transportation in the Nixon administration, the plan was aborted by his successor in consideration of budgetary constraints and because the location was considered too far from the seat of power, the State House in Boston.

Prior to their respective demolitions in 1922 and 1863, the Province House and the Hancock Manor[21] were also proposed as official residences.

Since the governor has no official residence, the expression "corner office", rather than "governor's mansion", is commonly used in the press as a metonym for the office of governor. This refers instead to the governor's office on the third floor of the State House.[22]

## List of governors

[edit]

It has been suggested that this section be split into a new article titled List of governors of Massachusetts. (Discuss) (November 2023)

|

Since 1780, 65 people have been elected governor, six to non-consecutive terms (John Hancock, Caleb Strong, Marcus Morton, John Davis, John Volpe, and Michael Dukakis), and seven lieutenant governors have acted as governor without subsequently being elected governor. Thomas Talbot served a stint as acting governor, but was elected governor several years later. Prior to 1918 constitutional reforms, both the governor's office and that of lieutenant governor were vacant on one occasion, when the state was governed by the Governor's Council.

### Colonial Massachusetts

[edit]

Further information: List of colonial governors of Massachusetts

The colonial history of Massachusetts begins with the founding first of the Plymouth Colony in 1620, and then the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1628. The Dominion of New England combined these and other New England colonies into a single unit in 1686, but collapsed in 1689. In 1692 the Province of Massachusetts Bay was established, merging Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay, which then included the territory of present-day Maine.

Colonial governors of Plymouth and the Massachusetts Bay Colony were elected annually by a limited subset of the male population (known as freemen), while Dominion officials and those of the 1692 province were appointed by the British crown. In 1774 General Thomas Gage became the last royally appointed governor of Massachusetts. He was recalled to England after the Battle of Bunker Hill in June 1775, by which time the Massachusetts Provincial Congress exercised de facto control of Massachusetts territory outside British-occupied Boston. Between 1775 and the establishment of the Massachusetts State Constitution in 1780 the state was governed by the provincial congress and an executive council.

### Commonwealth of Massachusetts: 1780–present

[edit]

The constitution of Massachusetts created the offices of governor[23] and lieutenant governor,[24] to be elected annually.[25] Terms were lengthened to two years in 1918, to last until their successor was inaugurated, which would be at least the first Wednesday in the January after their election.[26] This was changed to the Thursday following the first Wednesday in the January after the election in 1950,[27] and terms were lengthened to four years in 1966.[28]

Governors of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts  No. | Governor  | Term in office  | Party  | Election  | Lt. Governor[a]

|
|
|
|
|

1  |  |  | John Hancock
(1737–1793)
[29][30] | October 25, 1780[31][32]

February 18, 1785
(resigned)[b] | None[36] | 1780 |  | Thomas Cushing
1781
1782
1783
1784
—  |  | Thomas Cushing
(1725–1788)
[37] | February 18, 1785[31]

May 27, 1785
(lost election) | None[36] | Lieutenant
governor
acting | Acting as governor
2  |  | James Bowdoin
(1726–1790)
[38] | May 27, 1785[31]

June 1, 1787
(lost election) | None[36] | 1785 | Thomas Cushing
1786
3  |  | John Hancock
(1737–1793)
[29][30] | June 1, 1787[c]

October 8, 1793
(died in office) | None[36] | 1787
1788 | Benjamin Lincoln
1789 | Samuel Adams
1790
1791
1792
1793
4  |  | Samuel Adams
(1722–1803)
[39][40] | October 8, 1793[31]

June 2, 1797
(did not run) | None[36] | Lieutenant
governor
acting | Acting as governor
| Democratic-
Republican[36] | 1794 |  | Moses Gill[d]
1795
1796
5  |  |  | Increase Sumner
(1746–1799)
[41][42] | June 2, 1797[31]

June 7, 1799
(died in office) | Federalist[36] | 1797
1798
1799
—  |  | Moses Gill
(1733–1800)
[43] | June 7, 1799[31]

May 20, 1800
(died in office) | Federalist[44] | Lieutenant
governor
acting | Acting as governor
—  |  |  | Governor's Council
chaired by Thomas Dawes
[45] | May 20, 1800[31]

May 30, 1800  | —  | Governor's
Council
acting | Vacant
6  |  |  | Caleb Strong
(1745–1819)
[46][47] | May 30, 1800[31][48]

May 29, 1807
(lost election) | Federalist[36] | 1800
1801 |  | Samuel Phillips Jr.
1802 |  | Edward Robbins[e]
1803
1804
1805
1806
7  |  |  | James Sullivan
(1744–1808)
[49][50] | May 29, 1807[31][51]

December 10, 1808
(died in office) | Democratic-
Republican[36] | 1807 | Levi Lincoln Sr.
1808
—  |  | Levi Lincoln Sr.
(1749–1820)
[52][53] | December 10, 1808[31]

June 3, 1809
(lost election) | Democratic-
Republican[44] | Lieutenant
governor
acting | Acting as governor
8  |  |  | Christopher Gore
(1758–1827)
[54][55] | June 3, 1809[31][56]

June 2, 1810
(lost election) | Federalist[36] | 1809 |  | David Cobb
9  |  |  | Elbridge Gerry
(1744–1814)
[57][58] | June 2, 1810[59]

May 30, 1812
(lost election) | Democratic-
Republican[36] | 1810 |  | William Gray
1811
10  |  |  | Caleb Strong
(1745–1819)
[46][47] | May 30, 1812[31][60]

June 1, 1816
(did not run)[46] | Federalist[36] | 1812 | William Phillips Jr.[e]
1813
1814
1815
11  |  | John Brooks
(1752–1825)
[61][62] | June 1, 1816[63]

May 30, 1823
(did not run)[61] | Federalist[36] | 1816
1817
1818
1819
1820
1821
1822
12  |  |  | William Eustis
(1753–1825)
[64][65] | May 30, 1823[66]

February 6, 1825
(died in office) | Democratic-
Republican[67] | 1823 | Marcus Morton
1824
—  |  | Marcus Morton
(1784–1864)
[68][69] | February 6, 1825[70]

May 27, 1825
(successor took office) | Democratic-
Republican[44] | Lieutenant
governor
acting | Acting as governor
13  |  | Levi Lincoln Jr.
(1782–1868)
[71][72] | May 27, 1825[73]

January 21, 1834
(did not run)[71] | Democratic-
Republican[67] | 1825 | Thomas L. Winthrop[e]
1826
1827
1828
| National
Republican[67] | 1829
1830
Apr. 1831
Nov. 1831
1832
14  |  | John Davis
(1787–1854)
[74][75] | January 21, 1834[76]

March 3, 1835
(resigned)[f] | National
Republican[67] | 1833 |  | Samuel Turell Armstrong[g]
| Whig[67] | 1834
—  |  | Samuel Turell Armstrong
(1784–1850)
[77][78] | March 3, 1835[79]

January 13, 1836
(lost election)[h] | Whig[44] | Lieutenant
governor
acting | Acting as governor
15  |  | Edward Everett
(1794–1865)
[80][81] | January 13, 1836[82]

January 18, 1840
(lost election) | Whig[67] | 1835 | George Hull[g]
1836
1837
1838
16  |  |  | Marcus Morton
(1784–1864)
[68][69] | January 18, 1840[83]

January 9, 1841
(lost election) | Democratic[67] | 1839
17  |  |  | John Davis
(1787–1854)
[74][75] | January 9, 1841[84]

January 18, 1843
(lost election) | Whig[67] | 1840
1841
18  |  |  | Marcus Morton
(1784–1864)
[68][69] | January 18, 1843[85]

January 9, 1844
(lost election) | Democratic[67] | 1842 |  | Henry H. Childs
19  |  |  | George N. Briggs
(1796–1861)
[86][87] | January 9, 1844[88]

January 13, 1851
(lost election) | Whig[67] | 1843 |  | Henry W. Cushman
1844
1845
1846
1847
1848
1849
20  |  |  | George S. Boutwell
(1818–1905)
[89][90] | January 13, 1851[91]

January 14, 1853
(did not run)[89] | Democratic[67] | 1850 |
1851
21  |  |  | John H. Clifford
(1809–1876)
[92][93] | January 14, 1853[94]

January 12, 1854
(did not run)[92] | Whig[67] | 1852 |  | William C. Plunkett
22  |  | Emory Washburn
(1800–1877)
[95][96] | January 12, 1854[97]

January 9, 1855
(lost election) | Whig[67] | 1853
23  |  |  | Henry Gardner
(1819–1892)
[98][99] | January 9, 1855[100]

January 2, 1858
(lost election) | Know Nothing[67] | 1854 |  | Simon Brown
1855 |  | Henry Wetherby Benchley[i]
1856
24  |  |  | Nathaniel P. Banks
(1816–1894)
[101][102] | January 2, 1858[103]

January 2, 1861
(did not run)[101] | Republican[67] | 1857 | Eliphalet Trask
1858
1859
25  |  | John Albion Andrew
(1818–1867)
[104][105] | January 2, 1861[106]

January 6, 1866
(did not run)[104] | Republican[67] | 1860 | John Z. Goodrich
1861 | John Nesmith
1862 | Joel Hayden
1863
1864
26  |  | Alexander Bullock
(1816–1882)
[107][108] | January 6, 1866[109]

January 9, 1869
(did not run)[107] | Republican[110] | 1865 | William Claflin
1866
1867
27  |  | William Claflin
(1818–1905)
[111][112] | January 9, 1869[113]

January 5, 1872
(did not run)[111] | Republican[110] | 1868 | Joseph Tucker
1869
1870
28  |  | William B. Washburn
(1820–1887)
[114][115] | January 5, 1872[116]

April 30, 1874
(resigned)[j] | Republican[110] | 1871
1872 | Thomas Talbot
1873
—  |  | Thomas Talbot
(1818–1885)
[117][118] | April 30, 1874[119]

January 7, 1875
(lost election) | Republican[120] | Lieutenant
governor
acting | Acting as governor
29  |  |  | William Gaston
(1820–1894)
[121][122] | January 7, 1875[123]

January 6, 1876
(lost election) | Democratic[110] | 1874 | Horatio G. Knight[i]
30  |  |  | Alexander H. Rice
(1818–1895)
[124][125] | January 6, 1876[126]

January 2, 1879
(did not run)[124] | Republican[110] | 1875
1876
1877
31  |  | Thomas Talbot
(1818–1885)
[117][118] | January 2, 1879[127]

January 8, 1880
(did not run)[117] | Republican[110] | 1878 | John Davis Long
32  |  | John Davis Long
(1838–1915)
[128][129] | January 8, 1880[130]

January 4, 1883
(did not run)[128] | Republican[110] | 1879 | Byron Weston
1880
1881
33  |  |  | Benjamin Butler
(1818–1893)
[131][132] | January 4, 1883[133]

January 3, 1884
(lost election) | Democratic[110] | 1882 | Oliver Ames[i]
34  |  |  | George D. Robinson
(1834–1896)
[134][135] | January 3, 1884[136]

January 6, 1887
(did not run)[134] | Republican[110] | 1883
1884
1885
35  |  | Oliver Ames
(1831–1895)
[137][138] | January 6, 1887[139]

January 2, 1890
(did not run)[137] | Republican[110] | 1886 | John Q. A. Brackett
1887
1888
36  |  | John Q. A. Brackett
(1842–1918)
[140][141] | January 2, 1890[142]

January 8, 1891
(lost election) | Republican[110] | 1889 | William H. Haile[i]
37  |  |  | William E. Russell
(1857–1896)
[143][144] | January 8, 1891[145]

January 4, 1894
(did not run)[143] | Democratic[110] | 1890
1891
1892 | Roger Wolcott[i]
38  |  |  | Frederic T. Greenhalge
(1842–1896)
[146][147] | January 4, 1894[148]

March 5, 1896
(died in office) | Republican[110] | 1893
1894
1895
39  |  | Roger Wolcott
(1847–1900)
[149][150] | March 5, 1896[151]

January 4, 1900
(did not run)[149] | Republican[110] | Lieutenant
governor
acting | Acting as governor
1896 | Winthrop M. Crane
1897
1898
40  |  | Winthrop M. Crane
(1853–1920)
[152][153] | January 4, 1900[154]

January 8, 1903
(did not run)[152] | Republican[110] | 1899 | John L. Bates
1900
1901
41  |  | John L. Bates
(1859–1946)
[155][156] | January 8, 1903[157]

January 5, 1905
(lost election) | Republican[110] | 1902 | Curtis Guild Jr.[i]
1903
42  |  |  | William Lewis Douglas
(1845–1924)
[158][159] | January 5, 1905[160]

January 4, 1906
(did not run)[158] | Democratic[110] | 1904
43  |  |  | Curtis Guild Jr.
(1860–1915)
[161][162] | January 4, 1906[163]

January 7, 1909
(did not run)[161] | Republican[110] | 1905 | Eben Sumner Draper
1906
1907
44  |  | Eben Sumner Draper
(1858–1914)
[164][165] | January 7, 1909[166]

January 5, 1911
(lost election) | Republican[167] | 1908 | Louis A. Frothingham[i]
1909
45  |  |  | Eugene Foss
(1858–1939)
[168][169] | January 5, 1911[170]

January 8, 1914
(lost election) | Democratic[167] | 1910
1911 | Robert Luce[i]
1912 |  | David I. Walsh
46  |  | David I. Walsh
(1872–1947)
[171][172] | January 8, 1914[173]

January 6, 1916
(lost election) | Democratic[167] | 1913 | Edward P. Barry
1914 |  | Grafton D. Cushing[i]
47  |  |  | Samuel W. McCall
(1851–1923)
[174][175] | January 6, 1916[176]

January 2, 1919
(did not run)[174] | Republican[167] | 1915 | Calvin Coolidge
1916
1917
48  |  | Calvin Coolidge
(1872–1933)
[177][178] | January 2, 1919[179]

January 6, 1921
(did not run)[k] | Republican[167] | 1918 | Channing H. Cox
1919
49  |  | Channing H. Cox
(1879–1968)
[180][181] | January 6, 1921[182]

January 8, 1925
(did not run) | Republican[167] | 1920 | Alvan T. Fuller
1922
50  |  | Alvan T. Fuller
(1878–1958)
[183][184] | January 8, 1925[185]

January 3, 1929
(did not run) | Republican[167] | 1924 | Frank G. Allen
1926
51  |  | Frank G. Allen
(1874–1950)
[186][187] | January 3, 1929[188]

January 8, 1931
(lost election) | Republican[167] | 1928 | William S. Youngman[i]
52  |  |  | Joseph B. Ely
(1881–1956)
[189][190] | January 8, 1931[191]

January 3, 1935
(did not run)[189] | Democratic[167] | 1930
1932 | Gaspar G. Bacon[i]
53  |  | James Michael Curley
(1874–1958)
[192][193] | January 3, 1935[194]

January 7, 1937
(did not run)[l] | Democratic[167] | 1934 |  | Joseph L. Hurley
54  |  | Charles F. Hurley
(1893–1946)
[195][196] | January 7, 1937[197]

January 5, 1939
(lost nomination) | Democratic[167] | 1936 | Francis E. Kelly
55  |  |  | Leverett Saltonstall
(1892–1979)
[198][199] | January 5, 1939[200]

January 4, 1945
(did not run)[m] | Republican[167] | 1938 |  | Horace T. Cahill
1940
1942
56  |  |  | Maurice J. Tobin
(1901–1953)
[201][202] | January 4, 1945[203]

January 2, 1947
(lost election) | Democratic[167] | 1944 | Robert F. Bradford[i]
57  |  |  | Robert F. Bradford
(1902–1983)
[204][205] | January 2, 1947[206]

January 6, 1949
(lost election) | Republican[167] | 1946 | Arthur W. Coolidge
58  |  |  | Paul A. Dever
(1903–1958)
[207][208] | January 6, 1949[209]

January 8, 1953
(lost election) | Democratic[167] | 1948 |  | Charles F. Sullivan
1950
59  |  |  | Christian Herter
(1895–1966)
[210][211] | January 8, 1953[212]

January 3, 1957
(did not run)[210] | Republican[167] | 1952 |  | Sumner G. Whittier
1954
60  |  |  | Foster Furcolo
(1911–1995)
[213][214] | January 3, 1957[215]

January 5, 1961
(did not run)[n] | Democratic[167] | 1956 |  | Robert F. Murphy
1958
Vacant
61  |  |  | John A. Volpe
(1908–1994)
[216][217] | January 5, 1961[218]

January 3, 1963
(lost election) | Republican[167] | 1960 |  | Edward F. McLaughlin Jr.[o]
62  |  |  | Endicott Peabody
(1920–1997)
[219][220] | January 3, 1963[221]

January 7, 1965
(lost nomination) | Democratic[167] | 1962 | Francis Bellotti
63  |  |  | John A. Volpe
(1908–1994)
[216][217] | January 7, 1965[222]

January 22, 1969
(resigned)[p] | Republican[167] | 1964 |  | Elliot Richardson
1966 | Francis Sargent
64  |  | Francis Sargent
(1915–1998)
[223][224] | January 22, 1969[225]

January 2, 1975
(lost election) | Republican[167] | Lieutenant
governor
acting | Acting as governor
1970 | Donald Dwight
65  |  |  | Michael Dukakis
(b. 1933)
[226][227] | January 2, 1975[228]

January 4, 1979
(lost nomination) | Democratic[167] | 1974 |  | Thomas P. O'Neill III
66  |  | Edward J. King
(1925–2006) | January 4, 1979[229]

January 6, 1983
(lost nomination) | Democratic[167] | 1978
67  |  | Michael Dukakis
(b. 1933)
[226][227] | January 6, 1983[230]

January 3, 1991
(did not run) | Democratic[227] | 1982 | John Kerry
Vacant
1986 |  | Evelyn Murphy
68  |  |  | Bill Weld
(b. 1945)
[231] | January 3, 1991[232]

July 29, 1997
(resigned)[q] | Republican[231] | 1990 |  | Paul Cellucci
1994
69  |  | Paul Cellucci
(1948–2013)
[233] | July 29, 1997[234]

April 10, 2001
(resigned)[r] | Republican[233] | Lieutenant
governor
acting | Acting as governor
1998 | Jane Swift
—  |  | Jane Swift
(b. 1965)
[235] | April 10, 2001[236]

January 2, 2003
(did not run) | Republican[235] | Lieutenant
governor
acting | Acting as governor
70 |  | Mitt Romney
(b. 1947)
[237] | January 2, 2003[238]

January 4, 2007
(did not run) | Republican[237] | 2002 | Kerry Healey
71  |  |  | Deval Patrick
(b. 1956)
[239] | January 4, 2007[240]

January 8, 2015
(did not run) | Democratic[239] | 2006 |  | Tim Murray
2010
Vacant
72 |  |  | Charlie Baker
(b. 1956)
[241] | January 8, 2015[242]

January 5, 2023
(did not run) | Republican[241] | 2014 |  | Karyn Polito
2018
73  |  |  | Maura Healey
(b. 1971)
[243] | January 5, 2023[244]

Incumbent[s] | Democratic[243] | 2022 |  | Kim Driscoll

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Lieutenant governors represented the same party as their governor unless noted.
2. ^ Hancock resigned abruptly in a "winter of increasing economic distress, political controversy, and social discord",[33] and was suffering ill health, particularly gout.[34] He announced his intention to resign on January 29, and left office on February 18.[35]
3. ^ Modern sources say Hancock took office on May 30,[29] but a contemporary source says it was June 1.[31]
4. ^ Represented the Federalist Party
5. ^ a b c Represented the Democratic-Republican Party
6. ^ Davis resigned, having been elected to the United States Senate.[74]
7. ^ a b Represented the Whig Party
8. ^ Armstrong either did not receive or did not expect the Whig nomination, and so ran as an independent.[77]
9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Represented the Republican Party
10. ^ Washburn resigned, having been elected to the United States Senate.[114]
11. ^ Coolidge was instead elected Vice President of the United States.[177]
12. ^ Curley instead ran unsuccessfully for the United States Senate.[192]
13. ^ Saltonstall was instead elected to the United States Senate.[198]
14. ^ Furcolo instead ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination to the United States Senate.[213]
15. ^ Represented the Democratic Party
16. ^ Volpe resigned, having been confirmed as United States Secretary of Transportation.[216]
17. ^ Weld resigned when nominated to be United States Ambassador to Mexico, but was not confirmed.[231]
18. ^ Cellucci resigned, having been confirmed as United States Ambassador to Canada.[233]
19. ^ Healey's term will expire on January 7, 2027.

## References

[edit]

Citations

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3. ^ Morison 1917, p.22-28.
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10. ^ Adams 1913, p.444-445.
11. ^ Adams 1913, p.430-445
12. ^ a b c Morison 1917, p.9-22.
13. ^ Frothingham, Louis Adams. A Brief History of the Constitution and Government of Massachusetts, p. 74. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1916.
14. ^ Constitution of Massachusetts, Chapter II, Section II, Article III.
15. ^ An example of this is found in Chapter 45 of the Acts of 2001, where a veto by Swift was overridden by the General Court.
16. ^ Massachusetts State Library Information, Governor Transfer of Power, Retrieved February 14, 2007.
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22. ^ "State House 3rd Floor information, floor plan, and room listing". The 191st General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Archived from the original on October 27, 2012. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
23. ^ MA Const. chp II, § 1, art. I
24. ^ MA Const. chp II, § 2, art. I
25. ^ MA Const. chp II, § 1, art. II
26. ^ MA Const. amendment LXIV
27. ^ MA Const. amendment LXXX
28. ^ MA Const. amendment LXXXII
29. ^ a b c Sobel 1978, pp. 689–690.
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55. ^ "Christopher Gore". National Governors Association. January 3, 2019. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
56. ^ "none". The Pittsfield Sun. June 10, 1809. p. 2. Retrieved March 8, 2023. "... when His Excellency Christopher Gore, Esq. and His Honor David Cobb, Esq. Governor and Lt. Governor Elect, came in, and took and subscribed the Oaths and declarations made necessary by the Constitution of this Commonwealth to qualify them for exercising the Offices to which they have been elected."
57. ^ Sobel 1978, pp. 695–696.
58. ^ "Elbridge Gerry". National Governors Association. January 3, 2019. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
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60. ^ "Massachusetts Legislature". The Recorder. June 9, 1812. p. 2. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
61. ^ a b Sobel 1978, pp. 696–697.
62. ^ "John Brooks". National Governors Association. January 3, 2019. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
63. ^ "Massachusetts Legislature". The Recorder. June 11, 1816. p. 2. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
64. ^ Sobel 1978, pp. 697–698.
65. ^ "William Eustis". National Governors Association. January 3, 2019. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
66. ^ "Legislature of Massachusetts". The Pittsfield Sun. June 5, 1823. p. 3. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
67. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Glashan 1979, p. 142.
68. ^ a b c Sobel 1978, pp. 698–699.
69. ^ a b c "Marcus Morton". National Governors Association. January 3, 2019. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
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71. ^ a b Sobel 1978, p. 699.
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75. ^ a b "John Davis". National Governors Association. January 3, 2019. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
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103. ^ "Massachusetts Legislature". New England Farmer. January 9, 1858. p. 3. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
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105. ^ "John Albion Andrew". National Governors Association. January 3, 2019. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
106. ^ "Review of the Week". New England Farmer. January 5, 1861. p. 2. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
107. ^ a b Sobel 1978, pp. 708–709.
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110. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Glashan 1979, p. 144.
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114. ^ a b Sobel 1978, pp. 710–711.
115. ^ "William Barrett Washburn". National Governors Association. January 3, 2019. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
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117. ^ a b c Sobel 1978, p. 711.
118. ^ a b "Thomas Talbot". National Governors Association. January 3, 2019. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
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226. ^ a b Sobel 1978, p. 737.
227. ^ a b c "Michael Stanley Dukakis". National Governors Association. January 3, 2019. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
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233. ^ a b c "Argeo Paul Cellucci". National Governors Association. January 3, 2019. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
234. ^ Phillips, Frank; Walker, Adrian (July 30, 1997). "'Citizen Weld' Steps Out; Cellucci Steps Forward". The Boston Globe. p. A1. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
235. ^ a b "Jane Maria Swift". National Governors Association. January 3, 2019. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
236. ^ Phillips, Frank (April 11, 2001). "'Her Excellency': Swift Is First Woman To Serve As Mass. Governor". The Boston Globe. p. A1. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
237. ^ a b "Mitt Romney". National Governors Association. January 3, 2019. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
238. ^ Massachusetts General Court. Journal of the Senate. 2003 sess., 4, accessed March 8, 2023
239. ^ a b "Deval Patrick". National Governors Association. January 3, 2019. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
240. ^ Massachusetts General Court. Journal of the Senate. 2007 sess., 9, accessed March 8, 2023
241. ^ a b "Charlie Baker". National Governors Association. January 3, 2019. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
242. ^ Miller, Joshua (January 8, 2015). "Charlie Baker Takes Over As 72d Governor of Mass". Boston Globe. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
243. ^ a b "Maura Healey". National Governors Association. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
244. ^ Platoff, Emma; Stout, Matt (January 5, 2023). "'Massachusetts Can, and Will, Lead the World': Maura Healey Sworn In As State's 73rd Governor". Boston Globe. Retrieved March 8, 2023.

Sources

* Lincoln, William, ed. (1838). Journals of each Provincial Congress of Massachusetts in 1774 and 1775 and of the Committee of Safety, with an Appendix containing the Proceedings of the County Conventions_Narratives of the Events of the Nineteenth of April, 1775-Paper relating to Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and other documents. Dutton and Wentworth, Printers to the State.
* Hart, Albert Bushnell, ed. (1927). Commonwealth History of Massachusetts. New York: The States History Company. OCLC 1543273. (five volume history of Massachusetts until the early 20th century; volume 3 deals with the provisional period and post-independence history until 1820)
* Morison, Samuel (1917). A History of the Constitution of Massachusetts. Harvard University Library: Wright & Potter Printing Co.
* Truslow Adams, James (1913). The Founding of New England. Stanford University Library: Atlantic Monthly Press.
* "Former Massachusetts Governors". National Governors Association. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
* Sobel, Robert (1978). Biographical directory of the governors of the United States, 1789-1978, Vol. II. Meckler Books. ISBN 9780930466008. Retrieved March 6, 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 Massachusetts - History". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved July 25, 2023.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* Office of the Governor, hdl:2452/35301. (Various documents).

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* Endecott
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See also: Political party strength in Massachusetts

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Governors and executives of U.S. states and territories

President of the United States: ▌Donald Trump (R)

▌Ivey (R)

▌Dunleavy (R)

▌Hobbs (D)

▌Huckabee Sanders (R)

▌Newsom (D)

▌Polis (D)

▌Lamont (D)

▌Meyer (D)

▌DeSantis (R)

▌Kemp (R)

▌Green (D)

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▌Healey (D)

▌Whitmer (D)

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▌Reeves (R)

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▌Lombardo (R)

▌Ayotte (R)

▌Murphy (D)

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▌Evers (D)

▌Gordon (R)

Federal districts:

▌Bowser (D), Mayor

Territories:

▌Pula (R)

▌Guerrero (D)

▌Palacios (R)

▌González-Colón (PNP/R)

▌Bryan (D)

* ▌Republican: 29 (27 states, 2 territories)
* ▌Democratic: 26 (23 states, 2 territories, 1 district)
* ▌New Progressive: 1 (1 territory)

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United States governors' residences

* Alabama
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* Arkansas
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* District of Columbia†
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* † - No official residence

*[No.]: Number
*[b.]: born in
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