List of governors of Tennessee

The governor of Tennessee is the head of government of the U.S. state of Tennessee.

Tennessee has had 50 governors, including the incumbent, Bill Lee.[https://www.tn.gov/governor/about-bill-lee.html Office of the Governor] Seven governors (John Sevier, William Carroll, Andrew Johnson, Robert Love Taylor, Gordon Browning, Frank G. Clement, and Buford Ellington) have served non-consecutive terms. This tally does not include William Blount (the territorial governor) or Robert L. Caruthers (who never took office), though the Blue Book includes them in its list of governors."[http://www.tn.gov/sos/bluebook/11-12/TS3_PastGovAndOff.pdf Past Governors] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120731101355/http://tn.gov/sos/bluebook/11-12/TS3_PastGovAndOff.pdf |date=July 31, 2012 }}," Tennessee Blue Book (2011–2012), pp. 547, 553. All governors are counted only once, regardless of number of terms served (e.g., John Sevier is considered the 1st governor, rather than the 1st and 3rd governor). The Blue Book does not include Edward H. East in its list of governors.

List of governors

=Southwest Territory=

The Territory South of the Ohio River, commonly known as the Southwest Territory, was organized on May 26, 1790.{{usstat|1|123}}

Throughout its 6-year history, Southwest Territory had only one governor appointed by the federal government, William Blount.

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"

|+ Governor of the Territory Southwest of the River Ohio

!scope="colgroup" colspan="2"|Governor

!scope="col"|Term in office{{efn|The range given is from the date the governor was confirmed by the Senate, or appointed by the President during a Senate recess, to the date the governor's successor was confirmed, unless noted.}}

!scope="col"|Appointed by

style="height:2em;"

|75px

|William Blount
{{small|(1749–1800)}}
{{sfn|McMullin|1984|pp=287–289}}

|June 8, 1790{{efn|Blount was nominated on June 7, 1790;U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 1st Cong., 2nd sess., [https://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=llej&fileName=001/llej001.db&recNum=56 50], accessed July 5, 2023. confirmed by the Senate on June 8; and took the oath of office on September 20.{{sfn|McMullin|1984|pp=287–289}} He was reconfirmed by the Senate on December 11, 1794.U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 3rd Cong., 1st sess., [https://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=llej&fileName=001/llej001.db&recNum=171 165], accessed July 5, 2023.}}
–
March 28, 1796
{{small|(statehood)}}

|George Washington

=State of Tennessee=

Southwest Territory was admitted to the Union as Tennessee on June 1, 1796.{{usstat|1|491}}

The first constitution of Tennessee, 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.Jonathan M. Atkins. [http://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/entry.php?rec=205 "William Carroll"] in Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture (online edition). Accessed January 27, 2012. The term of office was lengthened to four years, without the possibility of consecutive terms, by constitutional amendments adopted in 1953.{{Citation |title=Government |url=http://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/entry.php?rec=563 |work=Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture}} Under the current provisions of the state constitution, as amended in 1978, the governor is elected to a four-year term and may serve no more than two terms consecutively.{{Cite book |title=Government and politics in Tennessee |publisher=University of Tennessee Press |year=2001 |page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=ac0Qtk_c7uoC&pg=PA48 48}}

class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible sticky-header-multi" style="text-align:center;"

|+ Governors of the State of Tennessee

!scope="col" data-sort-type="number"|{{abbr|No.|Number}}

!scope="colgroup" colspan="3"|Governor

!scope="col"|Term in office

!scope="col"|Party

!scope="col"|Election

!scope="colgroup" colspan="2"|Lt. Governor{{efn|Lieutenant governors represented the same party as their governor unless noted.}}

style="height:2em;"

!rowspan="3" scope="rowgroup"|1

|rowspan="3" data-sort-value="Sevier, John"|75px

|rowspan="18" style="background: {{party color|Democratic-Republican Party}};"|

|rowspan="3"|John Sevier
{{Small|(1745–1815)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1465–1466}}{{Cite web |title=John Sevier |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/john-sevier/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|rowspan="3"|{{dts|March 30, 1796}}{{Cite news |date=1796-05-11 |title=Knoxville, April 1 |page=3 |work=The Pennsylvania Herald, and York General Advertiser |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pennsylvania-herald-and-york-genera/127677584/ |access-date=2023-07-05}}
–
September 23, 1801
{{small|(term-limited)}}{{efn|Under the 1796 constitution, governors were ineligible to serve more than six years in any term of eight.{{Cite web |title=1796 Tenn. Const. art. II, § 4 |url=https://tsla.tnsosfiles.com/digital/teva/transcripts/33633.pdf |access-date=2023-12-20}}|name=limits-1796}}

|rowspan="3"|Democratic-
Republican{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|1796

|colspan="2" rowspan="83" style="background:#EEEEEE;"|Office did not exist

style="height:2em;"

|1797

style="height:2em;"

|1799

style="height:2em;"

!scope="row"|2

|data-sort-value="Roane, Archibald"|75px

|Archibald Roane
{{small|({{Abbr|d.|died in}} 1819)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|p=1466}}{{Cite web |title=Archibald Roane |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/archibald-roane/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|{{dts|September 23, 1801}}{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}
–
September 23, 1803
{{small|(lost election)}}

|Democratic-
Republican{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|1801

style="height:2em;"

!rowspan="3" scope="rowgroup"|1

|rowspan="3" data-sort-value="Sevier, John"|75px

|rowspan="3"|John Sevier
{{Small|(1745–1815)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1465–1466}}

|rowspan="3"|{{dts|September 23, 1803}}{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}
–
September 20, 1809
{{small|(term-limited)}}{{efn|name=limits-1796}}

|rowspan="3"|Democratic-
Republican{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|1803

style="height:2em;"

|1805

style="height:2em;"

|1807

style="height:2em;"

!rowspan="3" scope"row"|3

|rowspan="3" data-sort-value="Blount, Willie"|75px

|rowspan="3"|Willie Blount
{{Small|(1768–1835)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|p=1467}}{{Cite web |title=Willie Blount |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/willie-blount/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|rowspan="3"|{{dts|September 20, 1809}}{{Cite news |date=1809-09-29 |title=Wednesday, Sept. 20 |page=2 |work=The Democratic Clarion |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-democratic-clarion-blount-inaugurate/127680710/ |access-date=2023-07-05}}
–
September 27, 1815
{{small|(term-limited)}}{{efn|name=limits-1796}}

|rowspan="3"|Democratic-
Republican{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|1809

style="height:2em;"

|1811

style="height:2em;"

|1813

style="height:2em;"

!rowspan="3" scope="rowgroup"|4

|rowspan="3" data-sort-value="McMinn, Joseph"|75px

|rowspan="3"|Joseph McMinn
{{Small|(1758–1824)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|p=1468}}{{Cite web |title=Joseph McMinn |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/joseph-mcminn/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|rowspan="3"|{{dts|September 27, 1815}}{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}
–
October 1, 1821
{{small|(term-limited)}}{{efn|name=limits-1796}}

|rowspan="3"|Democratic-
Republican{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|1815

style="height:2em;"

|1817

style="height:2em;"

|1819

style="height:2em;"

!rowspan="3" scope="rowgroup"|5

|rowspan="3" data-sort-value="Carroll, William"|75px

|rowspan="3"|William Carroll
{{Small|(1788–1844)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1468–1469}}{{Cite web |title=William Carroll |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/william-carroll/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|rowspan="3"|{{dts|October 1, 1821}}{{Cite news |date=1821-10-24 |title=State of Tennessee |page=4 |work=The Hillsborough Recorder |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hillsborough-recorder-carroll-inaugu/127707308/ |access-date=2023-07-06}}
–
October 1, 1827
{{small|(term-limited)}}{{efn|name=limits-1796}}

|rowspan="3"|Democratic-
Republican{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|1821

style="height:2em;"

|1823

style="height:2em;"

|1825

style="height:2em;"

!scope="row"|6

|data-sort-value="Houston, Sam"|75px

|Sam Houston
{{Small|(1793–1863)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1469–1470}}

|{{dts|October 1, 1827}}{{Cite news |date=1827-10-06 |title=Legislature of Tennessee |language=en-us |page=4 |work=National Banner and Nashville Whig |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/national-banner-and-nashville-whig-houst/127707362/ |access-date=2023-10-02}}
–
April 16, 1829
{{small|(resigned)}}{{efn|Houston resigned with no specific reasoning, but it was during the collapse of his marriage.{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1469–1470}}}}

|Democratic-
Republican{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|1827

style="height:2em;"

!scope="row"|7

|data-sort-value="Hall, William"|75px

|William Hall
{{Small|(1775–1856)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|p=1471}}{{Cite web |title=William Hall |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/william-hall/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|{{dts|April 16, 1829}}{{Cite news |date=1829-04-18 |title=none |page=3 |work=National Banner and Nashville Whig | quote=Governor Houston having resigned the office of Governor of the state, the duties for the remainder of the term devolve upon Gen. Wm. Hall, Speaker of the Senate... | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/national-banner-and-nashville-whig-hall/127707500/ |access-date=2023-07-06}}
–
October 1, 1829
{{small|(did not run)}}

|Democratic-
Republican{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|style="background:#EEEEEE;"|{{small|Succeeded from
speaker of
the Senate}}

style="height:2em;"

!rowspan="3" scope="rowgroup"|5

|rowspan="3" data-sort-value="Carroll, William"|75px

|rowspan="3" style="color:inherit;background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};"|

|rowspan="3"|William Carroll
{{Small|(1788–1844)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1468–1469}}

|rowspan="3"|{{dts|October 1, 1829}}{{Cite news |date=1829-10-03 |title=Legislature of Tennessee |page=3 |work=National Banner and Nashville Whig |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/national-banner-and-nashville-whig-carro/127707546/ |access-date=2023-07-06}}
–
October 12, 1835
{{small|(term-limited)}}{{efn|name=limits-1796}}

|rowspan="3"|Democratic{{efn|Carroll is labeled a Jackson Democrat by Kallenbach,{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}} and a Democratic-Republican by Glashan.{{sfn|Glashan|1979|p=294}}}}

|1829

style="height:2em;"

|1831

style="height:2em;"

|1833

style="height:2em;"

!rowspan="2" scope="rowgroup"|8

|rowspan="2" data-sort-value="Cannon, Newton"|75px

|rowspan="2" style="color:inherit;background: {{party color|Whig Party (United States)}};"|

|rowspan="2"|Newton Cannon
{{Small|(1781–1841)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1471–1472}}{{Cite web |title=Newton Cannon |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/newton-cannon/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|rowspan="2"|{{dts|October 12, 1835}}Tennessee General Assembly. Journal of the Senate. 21st general assembly, [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112108189298&seq=30 24], accessed July 6, 2023
–
October 14, 1839
{{small|(lost election)}}

|rowspan="2"|Whig{{efn|Dubin{{sfn|Dubin|2003|p=247}} and Kallenbach{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|p=557}} label Cannon's party affiliation in 1835 as Anti-Van Buren Democratic.}}

|1835

style="height:2em;"

|1837

style="height:2em;"

!scope="row"|9

|data-sort-value="Polk, James"|75px

|style="color:inherit;background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};"|

|James K. Polk
{{Small|(1795–1849)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1472–1473}}{{Cite web |title=James Knox Polk |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/james-knox-polk/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|{{dts|October 14, 1839}}Tennessee General Assembly. Journal of the Senate. 23rd general assembly, [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112108189314&seq=34 30], accessed July 6, 2023
–
October 14, 1841
{{small|(lost election)}}

|Democratic{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|1839

style="height:2em;"

!rowspan="2" scope="rowgroup"|10

|rowspan="2" data-sort-value="Jones, James"|75px

|rowspan="2" style="color:inherit;background: {{party color|Whig Party (United States)}};"|

|rowspan="2"|James C. Jones
{{Small|(1809–1859)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1473–1474}}{{Cite web |title=James Chamberlain Jones |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/james-chamberlain-jones/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|rowspan="2"|{{dts|October 14, 1841}}Tennessee General Assembly. Journal of the Senate. 24th general assembly, [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112108189322&seq=104 78], accessed July 6, 2023
–
October 15, 1845
{{small|(did not run)}}

|rowspan="2"|Whig{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|1841

style="height:2em;"

|1843

style="height:2em;"

!scope="row"|11

|data-sort-value="Brown, Aaron"|75px

|style="color:inherit;background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};"|

|Aaron V. Brown
{{Small|(1795–1859)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1474–1475}}{{Cite web |title=Aaron Venable Brown |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/aaron-venable-brown/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|{{dts|October 15, 1845}}Tennessee General Assembly. Journal of the Senate. 26th general assembly, [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112108189330&seq=110 102], accessed July 6, 2023
–
October 17, 1847
{{small|(lost election)}}

|Democratic{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|1845

style="height:2em;"

!scope="row"|12

|data-sort-value="Brown, Neill"|75px

|style="color:inherit;background: {{party color|Whig Party (United States)}};"|

|Neill S. Brown
{{Small|(1810–1886)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1475–1476}}{{Cite web |title=Neill Smith Brown |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/neill-smith-brown/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|{{dts|October 17, 1847}}Tennessee General Assembly. Journal of the Senate. 27th general assembly, [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112108189348&seq=87 77], accessed July 6, 2023
–
October 16, 1849
{{small|(lost election)}}

|Whig{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|1847

style="height:2em;"

!scope="row"|13

|data-sort-value="Trousdale, William"|75px

|style="color:inherit;background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};"|

|William Trousdale
{{Small|(1790–1872)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1476–1477}}{{Cite web |title=William Trousdale |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/william-trousdale/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|{{dts|October 16, 1849}}Tennessee General Assembly. Journal of the Senate. 28th general assembly, [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112108189355&seq=130 104], accessed July 6, 2023
–
October 16, 1851
{{small|(lost election)}}

|Democratic{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|1849

style="height:2em;"

!scope="row"|14

|data-sort-value="Campbell, William"|75px

|style="color:inherit;background: {{party color|Whig Party (United States)}};"|

|William B. Campbell
{{Small|(1807–1867)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1477–1478}}{{Cite web |title=William Bowen Campbell |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/william-bowen-campbell/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|{{dts|October 16, 1851}}Tennessee General Assembly. Journal of the Senate. 29th general assembly, [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112108189363&seq=79 75], accessed July 6, 2023
–
October 17, 1853
{{small|(did not run)}}{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1477–1478}}

|Whig{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|1851

style="height:2em;"

!rowspan="2" scope="rowgroup"|15

|rowspan="2" data-sort-value="Johnson, Andrew"|75px

|rowspan="5" style="color:inherit;background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};"|

|rowspan="2"|Andrew Johnson
{{Small|(1808–1875)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1478–1480}}{{Cite web |title=Andrew Johnson |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/andrew-johnson/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|rowspan="2"|{{dts|October 17, 1853}}Tennessee General Assembly. Journal of the Senate. 30th general assembly, [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112108190155&seq=70 64], accessed July 6, 2023
–
November 3, 1857
{{small|(did not run)}}{{efn|Johnson was instead elected to the United States Senate.{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1478–1480}}}}

|rowspan="2"|Democratic{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|1853

style="height:2em;"

|1855

style="height:2em;"

!rowspan="3" scope="rowgroup"|16

|rowspan="3" data-sort-value="Harris, Isham"|75px

|rowspan="3"|Isham G. Harris
{{Small|(1818–1897)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1480–1481}}{{Cite web |title=Isham Green Harris |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/isham-green-harris/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|rowspan="3"|{{dts|November 3, 1857}}Tennessee General Assembly. Journal of the Senate. 32nd general assembly, [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112108190130&seq=118 100], accessed July 6, 2023
–
March 12, 1862
{{small|(deposed)}}{{efn|Harris fled Nashville for Memphis after the Battle of Fort Donelson in February 1862, and was later driven from the state by Union forces as he worked with the Confederate army.{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1480–1481}} Johnson was appointed military governor of Tennessee on March 12, 1862, by the Union forces occupying Middle and East Tennessee.{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1478–1480}} Meanwhile, the Confederate-held portions of West Tennessee held an election in August 1863, in which Harris would have been term-limited, and elected Robert L. Caruthers governor. However, as the legislature was unable to convene, Caruthers was never able to take office.{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}{{Cite web |title=Robert Looney Caruthers |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/robert-looney-caruthers/ |access-date=July 6, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}}}

|rowspan="3"|Democratic{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|1857

style="height:2em;"

|1859

style="height:2em;"

|1861

style="height:2em;"

!scope="row"|15

|data-sort-value="Johnson, Andrew"|75px

|rowspan="2" style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Nonpartisan politician}};"|

|Andrew Johnson
{{Small|(1808–1875)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1478–1480}}

|{{dts|March 12, 1862}}{{efn|Johnson was appointed military governor on March 4;{{Cite news |date=1862-03-14 |title=A Provisional Military Government for Tennessee |page=2 |work=The Memphis Daily Avalanche |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-memphis-daily-avalanche-johnson-appo/127748094/ |access-date=2023-07-06}} he arrived in Nashville on March 12.{{Cite news |date=1862-03-21 |title=Gov. Johnson at Nashville |page=2 |work=The Buffalo Commercial |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-buffalo-commercial-johnson-arrives-m/127748165/ |access-date=2023-07-06}}}}
–
March 4, 1865
{{small|(resigned)}}{{efn|Johnson resigned, having been elected Vice President of the United States.{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1478–1480}}{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}}}

|colspan="2" style="background:#EEEEEE;"|{{small|Military governor
appointed by President}}

style="height:2em;"

!scope="row"|—

|data-sort-value="East, Edward"|75px

|Edward H. East
{{Small|(1830–1904)}}
{{Cite web |title=Edward Hazzard East |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/edward-hazzard-east/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|{{dts|March 4, 1865}}{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}
–
April 5, 1865
{{small|(successor took office)}}

|—

|style="background:#EEEEEE;"|{{small|Secretary of
state
acting}}

style="height:2em;"

!rowspan="2" scope="rowgroup"|17

|rowspan="2" data-sort-value="Brownlow, William"|75px

|rowspan="4" style="color:inherit;background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};"|

|rowspan="2"|Parson Brownlow
{{Small|(1805–1877)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1481–1482}}{{Cite web |title=William Gannaway Brownlow |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/william-gannaway-brownlow/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|rowspan="2"|{{dts|April 5, 1865}}Tennessee General Assembly. Journal of the Senate. 1865 general assembly, [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112110908990&seq=25 19], accessed July 6, 2023
–
February 25, 1869
{{small|(resigned)}}{{efn|Brownlow resigned, having been elected to the United States Senate.{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1481–1482}}}}

|rowspan="2"|Republican{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|1865

style="height:2em;"

|1867

style="height:2em;"

!rowspan="2" scope="rowgroup"|18

|rowspan="2" data-sort-value="Senter, Dewitt"|75px

|rowspan="2"|Dewitt Clinton Senter
{{Small|(1830–1898)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1482–1483}}{{Cite web |title=DeWitt Clinton Senter |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/dewitt-clinton-senter/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|rowspan="2"|{{dts|February 25, 1869}}Tennessee General Assembly. Journal of the Senate. 35th general assembly, [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=nyp.33433010021313&seq=315 309], accessed July 7, 2023
–
October 10, 1871
{{small|(did not run)}}

|rowspan="2"|Republican{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|style="background:#EEEEEE;"|{{small|Succeeded from
speaker of
the Senate}}

style="height:2em;"

|1869

style="height:2em;"

!rowspan="2" scope="rowgroup"|19

|rowspan="2" data-sort-value="Brown, John"|75px

|rowspan="5" style="color:inherit;background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};"|

|rowspan="2"|John C. Brown
{{Small|(1827–1889)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1483–1484}}{{Cite web |title=John Calvin Brown |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/john-calvin-brown/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|rowspan="2"|{{dts|October 10, 1871}}Tennessee General Assembly. Journal of the Senate. 37th general assembly, [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112108191088&seq=45 39], accessed July 7, 2023
–
January 18, 1875
{{small|(did not run)}}

|rowspan="2"|Democratic{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|1870

style="height:2em;"

|1872

style="height:2em;"

!rowspan="2" scope"row"|20

|rowspan="2" data-sort-value="Porter, James"|75px

|rowspan="2"|James D. Porter
{{Small|(1828–1912)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1484–1485}}{{Cite web |title=James Davis Porter |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/james-davis-porter/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|rowspan="2"|{{dts|January 18, 1875}}Tennessee General Assembly. Journal of the Senate. 39th general assembly, [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112108191112&seq=126 120], accessed July 7, 2023
–
February 16, 1879
{{small|(did not run)}}

|rowspan="2"|Democratic{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|1874

style="height:2em;"

|1876

style="height:2em;"

!scope"row"|21

|data-sort-value="Marks, Albert"|75px

|Albert S. Marks
{{Small|(1836–1891)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|p=1486}}{{Cite web |title=Albert Smith Marks |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/albert-smith-marks/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|{{dts|February 16, 1879}}Tennessee General Assembly. Journal of the Senate. 41st general assembly, [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112108191146&seq=138 132], accessed July 7, 2023
–
January 17, 1881
{{small|(did not run)}}{{sfn|Sobel|1978|p=1486}}

|Democratic{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|1878

style="height:2em;"

!scope"row"|22

|data-sort-value="Hawkins, Alvin"|75px

|style="color:inherit;background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};"|

|Alvin Hawkins
{{Small|(1821–1905)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1486–1487}}{{Cite web |title=Alvin Hawkins |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/alvin-hawkins/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|{{dts|January 17, 1881}}Tennessee General Assembly. Journal of the Senate. 42nd general assembly, [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112108190437&seq=168 162], accessed July 7, 2023
–
January 15, 1883
{{small|(lost election)}}

|Republican{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|1880

style="height:2em;"

!rowspan="2" scope"row"|23

|rowspan="2" data-sort-value="Bate, William"|75px

|rowspan="15" style="color:inherit;background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};"|

|rowspan="2"|William B. Bate
{{Small|(1826–1905)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1487–1488}}{{Cite web |title=William Brimage Bate |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/william-brimage-bate/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|rowspan="2"|{{dts|January 15, 1883}}Tennessee General Assembly. Journal of the Senate. 43rd general assembly, [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112108190460&seq=190 184], accessed July 7, 2023
–
January 17, 1887
{{small|(did not run)}}

|rowspan="2"|Democratic{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|1882

style="height:2em;"

|1884

style="height:2em;"

!rowspan="2" scope"row"|24

|rowspan="2" data-sort-value="Taylor, Robert"|75px

|rowspan="2"|Robert Love Taylor
{{Small|(1850–1912)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1488–1489}}{{Cite web |title=Robert Love Taylor |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/robert-love-taylor/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|rowspan="2"|{{dts|January 17, 1887}}Tennessee General Assembly. Journal of the Senate. 45th general assembly, [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112108190494&seq=191 185], accessed July 7, 2023
–
January 19, 1891
{{small|(did not run)}}

|rowspan="2"|Democratic{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|1886

style="height:2em;"

|1888

style="height:2em;"

!scope"row"|25

|data-sort-value="Buchanan, John"|75px

|John P. Buchanan
{{Small|(1847–1930)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|p=1490}}{{Cite web |title=John Price Buchanan |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/john-price-buchanan/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|{{dts|January 19, 1891}}Tennessee General Assembly. Journal of the Senate. 47th general assembly, [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112108190361&seq=62 58], accessed July 7, 2023
–
January 16, 1893
{{small|(lost election)}}

|Democratic{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|1890

style="height:2em;"

!rowspan="2" scope"row"|26

|rowspan="2" data-sort-value="Turney, Peter"|75px

|rowspan="2"|Peter Turney
{{Small|(1827–1903)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1491–1492}}{{Cite web |title=Peter Turney |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/peter-turney/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|rowspan="2"|{{dts|January 16, 1893}}Tennessee General Assembly. Journal of the Senate. 48th general assembly, [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112108190395&seq=101 95], accessed July 7, 2023
–
January 21, 1897
{{small|(did not run)}}

|rowspan="2"|Democratic{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|1892

style="height:2em;"

|1894

style="height:2em;"

!scope="row"|24

|data-sort-value="Taylor, Robert"|75px

|Robert Love Taylor
{{Small|(1850–1912)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1488–1489}}

|{{dts|January 21, 1897}}Tennessee General Assembly. Journal of the Senate. 50th general assembly, [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112108190429&seq=172 170], accessed July 7, 2023
–
January 16, 1899
{{small|(did not run)}}

|Democratic{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|1896

style="height:2em;"

!rowspan="2" scope"row"|27

|rowspan="2" data-sort-value="McMillin, Benton"|75px

|rowspan="2"|Benton McMillin
{{Small|(1845–1933)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1492–1493}}{{Cite web |title=Benton McMillin |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/benton-mcmillin/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|rowspan="2"|{{dts|January 16, 1899}}Tennessee General Assembly. Journal of the Senate. 51st general assembly, [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112105492836&seq=90 85], accessed July 7, 2023
–
January 20, 1903
{{small|(did not run)}}

|rowspan="2"|Democratic{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|1898

style="height:2em;"

|1900

style="height:2em;"

!rowspan="2" scope"row"|28

|rowspan="2" data-sort-value="Frazier, James"|75px

|rowspan="2"|James B. Frazier
{{Small|(1856–1937)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1493–1494}}{{Cite web |title=James Beriah Frazier |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/james-beriah-frazier/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|rowspan="2"|{{dts|January 20, 1903}}Tennessee General Assembly. Journal of the Senate. 53rd general assembly, [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112108190551&seq=79 71], accessed July 7, 2023
–
March 27, 1905
{{small|(resigned)}}{{efn|Frazier resigned, having been elected to the United States Senate.{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1493–1494}}}}

|rowspan="2"|Democratic{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|1902

style="height:2em;"

|1904

style="height:2em;"

!scope"row"|29

|data-sort-value="Cox, John"|75px

|John I. Cox
{{Small|(1855–1946)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1494–1495}}{{Cite web |title=John Isaac Cox |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/john-isaac-cox/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|{{dts|March 27, 1905}}{{Cite news |date=1905-03-28 |title=John I. Cox Takes Oath |page=1 |work=Chattanooga Daily Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chattanooga-daily-times/112310604/ |access-date=2023-07-07}}
–
January 17, 1907
{{small|(lost nomination)}}{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1494–1495}}

|Democratic{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|style="background:#EEEEEE;"|{{small|Succeeded from
speaker of
the Senate}}

style="height:2em;"

!rowspan="2" scope"row"|30

|rowspan="2" data-sort-value="Patterson, Maclolm"|75px

|rowspan="2"|Malcolm R. Patterson
{{Small|(1861–1935)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1495–1496}}{{Cite web |title=Malcolm Rice Patterson |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/malcolm-rice-patterson/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|rowspan="2"|{{dts|January 17, 1907}}Tennessee General Assembly. Journal of the Senate. 55th general assembly, [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112108190569&seq=94 86], accessed July 7, 2023
–
January 25, 1911
{{small|(withdrew)}}{{efn|Patterson received the Democratic nomination, but withdrew after a schism in the party.{{Cite news |date=1910-09-12 |title=No Longer a Candidate |page=1 |work=The Leaf-Chronicle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-leaf-chronicle-patterson-withdraws/127674684/ |access-date=2023-07-05}}}}

|rowspan="2"|Democratic{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|1906

style="height:2em;"

|1908

style="height:2em;"

!rowspan="2" scope="rowgroup"|31

|rowspan="2" data-sort-value="Hooper, Ben"|75px

|rowspan="2" style="color:inherit;background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};"|

|rowspan="2"|Ben W. Hooper
{{Small|(1870–1957)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1496–1498}}{{Cite web |title=Ben Walter Hooper |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/ben-walter-hooper/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|rowspan="2"|{{dts|January 25, 1911}}Tennessee General Assembly. Journal of the Senate. 57th general assembly, [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112108190585&seq=128 118], accessed July 7, 2023
–
January 15, 1915
{{small|(lost election)}}

|rowspan="2"|Republican{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|1910

style="height:2em;"

|1912

style="height:2em;"

!rowspan="2" scope="rowgroup"|32

|rowspan="2" data-sort-value="Rye, Thomas"|75px

|rowspan="3" style="color:inherit;background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};"|

|rowspan="2"|Thomas Clarke Rye
{{Small|(1863–1953)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1498–1499}}{{Cite web |title=Thomas Clarke Rye |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/thomas-clarke-rye/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|rowspan="2"|{{dts|January 15, 1915}}Tennessee General Assembly. Journal of the House of Representatives. 59th general assembly, [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112110909311&seq=141 135], accessed July 7, 2023
–
January 15, 1919
{{small|(did not run)}}{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1498–1499}}

|rowspan="2"|Democratic{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|1914

style="height:2em;"

|1916

style="height:2em;"

!scope="row"|33

|data-sort-value="Roberts, Albert"|75px

|Albert H. Roberts
{{Small|(1868–1946)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|p=1499}}{{Cite web |title=Albert Houston Roberts |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/albert-houston-roberts/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|{{dts|January 15, 1919}}Tennessee General Assembly. Journal of the Senate. 61st general assembly, [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112108190114&seq=93 91], accessed July 7, 2023
–
January 15, 1921
{{small|(lost election)}}

|Democratic{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|1918

style="height:2em;"

!scope="row"|34

|data-sort-value="Taylor, Alfred"|75px

|style="color:inherit;background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};"|

|Alfred A. Taylor
{{Small|(1848–1931)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|p=1500}}{{Cite web |title=Alfred Alexander Taylor |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/alfred-alexander-taylor/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|{{dts|January 15, 1921}}Tennessee General Assembly. Journal of the House of Representatives. 62nd general assembly, [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112110909345&seq=143 139], accessed July 7, 2023
–
January 16, 1923
{{small|(lost election)}}

|Republican{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|1920

style="height:2em;"

!rowspan="3" scope="rowgroup"|35

|rowspan="3" data-sort-value="Peay, Austin"|75px

|rowspan="22" style="color:inherit;background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};"|

|rowspan="3"|Austin Peay
{{Small|(1876–1927)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|p=1501}}{{Cite web |title=Austin Peay III |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/austin-peay-iii/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|rowspan="3"|{{dts|January 16, 1923}}{{Cite news |date=1923-01-16 |title=Peay Becomes Governor Before Vast Audience |page=1 |work=The Leaf-Chronicle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-leaf-chronicle-peay-inaugurated-janu/127801422/ |access-date=2023-07-07}}
–
October 2, 1927
{{small|(died in office)}}

|rowspan="3"|Democratic{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|1922

style="height:2em;"

|1924

style="height:2em;"

|1926

style="height:2em;"

!rowspan="3" scope="rowgroup"|36

|rowspan="3" data-sort-value="Horton, Henry"|75px

|rowspan="3"|Henry Hollis Horton
{{Small|(1866–1934)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|p=1502}}{{Cite web |title=Henry Hollis Horton |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/henry-hollis-horton/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|rowspan="3"|{{dts|October 2, 1927}}{{Cite news |date=1927-10-03 |title=Governor Peay Dies Peacefully |page=1 |work=The Tennessean |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-1927103-governor-peay-d/36567900/ |access-date=2023-07-07}}
–
January 17, 1933
{{small|(did not run)}}{{sfn|Sobel|1978|p=1502}}

|rowspan="3"|Democratic{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|style="background:#EEEEEE;"|{{small|Succeeded from
speaker of
the Senate}}

style="height:2em;"

|1928

style="height:2em;"

|1930

style="height:2em;"

!rowspan="2" scope="rowgroup"|37

|rowspan="2" data-sort-value="McAlister, Hill"|75px

|rowspan="2"|Hill McAlister
{{Small|(1875–1959)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|p=1503}}{{Cite web |title=Harry Hill McAlister |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/harry-hill-mcalister/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|rowspan="2"|{{dts|January 17, 1933}}Tennessee General Assembly. Journal of the House of Representatives. 68th general assembly, [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112110909428&seq=179 149], accessed July 7, 2023
–
January 15, 1937
{{small|(did not run)}}{{sfn|Sobel|1978|p=1503}}

|rowspan="2"|Democratic{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|1932

style="height:2em;"

|1934

style="height:2em;"

!scope="row"|38

|data-sort-value="Browning, Gordon"|75px

|Gordon Browning
{{Small|(1889–1976)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1504–1505}}{{Cite web |title=Gordon Browning |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/gordon-browning/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|{{dts|January 15, 1937}}{{Cite news |date=1937-01-15 |title=Browning Takes Oath of Office Before Huge Throng; Pledges Honest, Efficient Government |page=1 |work=Kingsport Times |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/kingsport-times-browning-inaugurated-jan/127807612/ |access-date=2023-07-07}}
–
January 16, 1939
{{small|(lost nomination)}}{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1505–1506}}

|Democratic{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|1936

style="height:2em;"

!rowspan="3" scope="rowgroup"scope="rowgroup"|39

|rowspan="3" data-sort-value="Cooper, Prentice"|75px

|rowspan="3"|Prentice Cooper
{{Small|(1895–1969)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1505–1506}}{{Cite web |title=William Prentice Cooper |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/william-prentice-cooper/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|rowspan="3"|{{dts|January 16, 1939}}{{Cite news |last=Barnes |first=O. K. |date=1939-01-17 |title=Cooper Takes State Reins; Posts Filled |page=1 |work=The Tennessean |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-cooper-inaugurated-januar/127807787/ |access-date=2023-07-07}}
–
January 16, 1945
{{small|(term-limited)}}{{efn|Under the 1870 constitution, governors were ineligible to serve more than six years in any term of eight.{{Cite web |title=1870 Tenn. Const. art. II, § 4 |url=https://www.tngenweb.org/law/constitution1870.html |access-date=2023-12-20}}|name=limits-1870}}

|rowspan="3"|Democratic{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|1938

style="height:2em;"

|1940

style="height:2em;"

|1942

style="height:2em;"

!rowspan="2" scope="rowgroup"|40

|rowspan="2" data-sort-value="McCord, Jim"|75px

|rowspan="2"|Jim Nance McCord
{{Small|(1879–1968)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1506–1507}}{{Cite web |title=Jim Nance McCord |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/jim-nance-mccord/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|rowspan="2"|{{dts|January 16, 1945}}Tennessee General Assembly. Journal of the Senate. 74th general assembly, [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112108191237&seq=168 164], accessed July 7, 2023
–
January 17, 1949
{{small|(lost nomination)}}{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1504–1505}}

|rowspan="2"|Democratic{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|1944

style="height:2em;"

|1946

style="height:2em;"

!rowspan="2" scope="rowgroup"|38

|rowspan="2" data-sort-value="Browning, Gordon"|75px

|rowspan="2"|Gordon Browning
{{Small|(1889–1976)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1504–1505}}

|rowspan="2"|{{dts|January 17, 1949}}{{Cite news |last=Fontenay |first=Charles L. |date=1949-01-18 |title=Browning Strikes at Dictators, Foes on Taking Office |page=1 |work=The Tennessean |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-browning-inaugurated-janu/127808066/ |access-date=2023-07-07}}
–
January 15, 1953
{{small|(term-limited)}}{{efn|name=limits-1870}}

|rowspan="2"|Democratic{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|1948

style="height:2em;"

|1950

|rowspan="16" style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};"|

|{{sortname|Walter M.|Haynes|nolink=1}}

style="height:2em;"

!rowspan="2" scope="rowgroup"|41

|rowspan="2" data-sort-value="Clement, Frank"|75px

|rowspan="2"|Frank G. Clement
{{Small|(1920–1969)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1507–1508}}{{Cite web |title=Frank Goad Clement |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/frank-goad-clement/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|rowspan="2"|{{dts|January 15, 1953}}{{Cite news |last=Fontenay |first=Charles L. |date=1953-01-16 |title=Browning Passes Keys to Clement with Challenge |page=1 |work=The Tennessean |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-clement-inaugurated-janua/127808140/ |access-date=2023-07-07}}
–
January 19, 1959
{{small|(term-limited)}}{{efn|Under a 1953 amendment to the constitution, governors were ineligible to succeed themselves.{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|p=551}}|name=limits-1953}}

|rowspan="2"|Democratic{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|1952

|rowspan="2"|{{sortname|Jared|Maddux}}

style="height:2em;"

|1954

style="height:2em;"

!scope="row"|42

|data-sort-value="Ellington, Buford"|75px

|Buford Ellington
{{Small|(1907–1972)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1508–1509}}{{Cite web |title=Earl Buford Ellington |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/earl-buford-ellington/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|{{dts|January 19, 1959}}Tennessee General Assembly. Journal of the Senate. 81st general assembly, [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112109611886&seq=123 119], accessed July 7, 2023
–
January 15, 1963
{{small|(term-limited)}}{{efn|name=limits-1953}}

|Democratic{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|1958

|{{sortname|William D.|Baird|nolink=1}}

style="height:2em;"

!rowspan="2" scope="rowgroup"|41

|rowspan="2" data-sort-value="Clement, Frank"|75px

|rowspan="2"|Frank G. Clement
{{Small|(1920–1969)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1507–1508}}

|rowspan="2"|{{dts|January 15, 1963}}Tennessee General Assembly. Journal of the Senate. 83rd general assembly, [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112109611902&seq=68 64], accessed July 7, 2023
–
January 16, 1967
{{small|(term-limited)}}{{efn|name=limits-1953}}

|rowspan="2"|Democratic{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|rowspan="2"|1962

|{{sortname|James L.|Bomar Jr.|nolink=1}}

style="height:2em;"

|{{sortname|Jared|Maddux|nolink=1}}

style="height:2em;"

!scope="row"|42

|data-sort-value="Ellington, Buford"|75px

|Buford Ellington
{{Small|(1907–1972)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1508–1509}}

|{{dts|January 16, 1967}}Tennessee General Assembly. Journal of the Senate. 85th general assembly, [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112109611928&seq=68 64], accessed July 7, 2023
–
January 16, 1971
{{small|(term-limited)}}{{efn|name=limits-1953}}

|Democratic{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|1966

|{{sortname|Frank|Gorrell}}

style="height:2em;"

!scope="row"|43

|data-sort-value="Dunn, Winfield"|75px

|style="color:inherit;background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};"|

|Winfield Dunn
{{small|(1927–2024)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1509–1510}}{{Cite web |title=Bryant Winfield Culberson Dunn |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/bryant-winfield-culberson-dunn/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|{{dts|January 16, 1971}}Tennessee General Assembly. Journal of the Senate. 87th general assembly, [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112109611951&seq=93 85], accessed July 7, 2023
–
January 18, 1975
{{small|(term-limited)}}{{efn|name=limits-1953}}

|Republican{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|1970

|rowspan="9"|{{sortname|John Shelton|Wilder}}{{efn|Represented the Democratic Party|name=lt-dem}}

style="height:2em;"

!scope="row"|44

|data-sort-value="Blanton, Ray"|75px

|style="color:inherit;background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};"|

|Ray Blanton
{{Small|(1930–1996)}}
{{sfn|Sobel|1978|pp=1510–1511}}{{Cite web |title=Ray Blanton |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/ray-blanton/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|{{dts|January 18, 1975}}{{Cite news |last=Daughtrey |first=Larry |date=1975-01-19 |title=Blanton Says Austerity a Must |page=1 |work=The Tennessean |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-blanton-inaugurated-janu/127831860/ |access-date=2023-07-08}}
–
January 17, 1979
{{small|(did not run)}}

|Democratic{{sfn|Kallenbach|1977|pp=553–555}}

|1974

style="height:2em;"

!rowspan="2" scope="rowgroup"|45

|rowspan="2" data-sort-value="Alexander, Lamar"|75px

|rowspan="2" style="color:inherit;background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};"|

|rowspan="2"|Lamar Alexander
{{small|({{Abbr|b.|born in}} 1940)}}
{{Cite web |title=Lamar Alexander |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/lamar-alexander/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|rowspan="2"|{{dts|January 17, 1979}}{{Cite news |last=Daughtrey |first=Larry |last2=Hall |first2=Doug |date=1979-01-18 |title=Alexander Sworn In; Blanton Pushed Out |page=1 |work=The Tennessean |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-alexander-sworn-in-januar/127832090/ |access-date=2023-07-08}}
–
January 17, 1987
{{small|(term-limited)}}{{efn|Under a 1978 amendment to the constitution, governors are ineligible for election to more than two consecutive terms.{{Cite web |title=Tenn. Const. art. III, § 4 |url=https://law.justia.com/constitution/tennessee/article-iii/section-4/ |access-date=2023-12-20}}|name=limits-1978}}

|rowspan="2"|Republican

|1978

style="height:2em;"

|1982

style="height:2em;"

!rowspan="2" scope="rowgroup"|46

|rowspan="2" data-sort-value="McWherter, Ned"|75px

|rowspan="2" style="color:inherit;background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};"|

|rowspan="2"|Ned McWherter
{{Small|(1930–2011)}}
{{Cite web |title=Ned Ray McWherter |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/ned-ray-mcwherter/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|rowspan="2"|{{dts|January 17, 1987}}{{Cite news |last=Daughtrey |first=Larry |date=1987-01-18 |title=McWherter: We Are Family |page=1A |work=The Tennessean |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-mcwherter-inaugurated-jan/127832229/ |access-date=2023-07-08}}
–
January 21, 1995
{{small|(term-limited)}}{{efn|name=limits-1978}}

|rowspan="2"|Democratic

|1986

style="height:2em;"

|1990

style="height:2em;"

!rowspan="2" scope="rowgroup"|47

|rowspan="2" data-sort-value="Sundquist, Don"|75px

|rowspan="2" style="color:inherit;background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};"|

|rowspan="2"|Don Sundquist
{{small|(1936–2023)}}
{{Cite web |title=Don Sundquist |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/don-sundquist/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|rowspan="2"|{{dts|January 21, 1995}}{{Cite news |last=Daughtrey |first=Larry |date=1995-01-22 |title=State Enters Sundquist Years |page=1A |work=The Tennessean |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-sundquist-inaugurated-jan/127832284/ |access-date=2023-07-08}}
–
January 18, 2003
{{small|(term-limited)}}{{efn|name=limits-1978}}

|rowspan="2"|Republican

|1994

style="height:2em;"

|1998

style="height:2em;"

!rowspan="2" scope="rowgroup"|48

|rowspan="2" data-sort-value="Bredesen, Phil"|75px

|rowspan="2" style="color:inherit;background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};"|

|rowspan="2"|Phil Bredesen
{{small|({{Abbr|b.|born in}} 1943)}}
{{Cite web |title=Phil Bredesen |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/phil-bredesen/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|rowspan="2"|{{dts|January 18, 2003}}{{Cite news |last=de la Cruz |first=Bonna |date=2003-01-19 |title=Bredesen Sworn In to State's Top Office |page=1A |work=The Tennessean |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-bredesen-inaugurated-janu/127832327/ |access-date=2023-07-08}}
–
January 15, 2011
{{small|(term-limited)}}{{efn|name=limits-1978}}

|rowspan="2"|Democratic

|2002

style="height:2em;"

|2006

|rowspan="6" style="color:inherit;background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};"|

|rowspan="3"|{{sortname|Ron|Ramsey}}{{efn|Represented the Republican Party|name=lt-rep}}

style="height:2em;"

!rowspan="3" scope="rowgroup"|49

|rowspan="3" data-sort-value="Haslam, Bill"|75px

|rowspan="5" style="color:inherit;background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};"|

|rowspan="3"|Bill Haslam
{{small|({{Abbr|b.|born in}} 1958)}}
{{Cite web |title=Bill Haslam |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/bill-haslam/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|rowspan="3"|{{dts|January 15, 2011}}{{Cite news |date=2011-01-16 |title=Rise of the House of Haslam |page=A1 |work=The Knoxville News-Sentinel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-knoxville-news-sentinel-haslam-inaug/127832377/ |access-date=2023-07-08}}
–
January 19, 2019
{{small|(term-limited)}}{{efn|name=limits-1978}}

|rowspan="3"|Republican

|2010

style="height:2em;"

|rowspan="2"|2014

style="height:2em;"

|rowspan="3"|{{sortname|Randy|McNally}}

style="height:2em;"

!rowspan="2" scope="rowgroup"|50

|rowspan="3" data-sort-value="Lee, Bill"|75px

|rowspan="2"|Bill Lee
{{small|({{Abbr|b.|born in}} 1959)}}
{{Cite web |title=Bill Lee |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/bill-lee/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}

|rowspan="2"|{{dts|January 19, 2019}}{{Cite news |last=Allison |first=Natalie |last2=Ebert |first2=Joel |title=Bill Lee sworn in as Tennessee's 50th governor, nearly 2 years after long-shot bid |language=en-US |work=The Tennessean |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2019/01/19/bill-lee-tennessee-governor-inauguration/2585557002/ |access-date=2023-10-02}}
–
Incumbent{{efn|Lee's second term began on January 21, 2023,{{Cite news |last=Brown |first=Melissa |last2=Friedman |first2=Adam |title=Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee sworn in for second term: Here's everything he said |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2023/01/21/bill-lee-inauguration-tennessee-governor-speech/69791361007/ |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=The Tennessean |language=en-US}} and will expire on January 16, 2027; he will be term-limited}}

|rowspan="2"|Republican

|2018

style="height:2em;"

|2022

Notes

References

;General

{{Cite web |title=Former Tennessee Governors |url=https://www.nga.org/former-governors/tennessee/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=National Governors Association}}
{{Cite book |last=Sobel |first=Robert |url=https://archive.org/details/biographicaldire0004unse/ |title=Biographical directory of the governors of the United States, 1789-1978, Vol. IV |publisher=Meckler Books |year=1978 |isbn=9780930466008 |access-date=June 13, 2023}}
{{Cite book |last=McMullin |first=Thomas A. |url=http://archive.org/details/biographicaldire0000mcmu |title=Biographical directory of American territorial governors |date=1984 |publisher=Westport, CT : Meckler |isbn=978-0-930466-11-4 |access-date=January 19, 2023}}
{{Cite book |last=Dubin |first=Michael J. |url=http://archive.org/details/unitedstatesgube0000dubi |title=United States Gubernatorial Elections, 1776-1860: The Official Results by State and County |date=2003 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-0-7864-1439-0}}
{{Cite book |last=Dubin |first=Michael J. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WYJAIOabIPgC |title=United States Gubernatorial Elections, 1861-1911: The Official Results by State and County |date=2014 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-0-7864-5646-8 |language=en}}
{{Cite book |last=Kallenbach |first=Joseph Ernest |url=http://archive.org/details/americanstategov0000kall |title=American State Governors, 1776-1976 |date=1977 |publisher=Oceana Publications |isbn=978-0-379-00665-0 |access-date=September 23, 2023}}
{{Cite book |last=Glashan |first=Roy R. |url=http://archive.org/details/americangovernor0000glas |title=American Governors and Gubernatorial Elections, 1775-1978 |date=1979 |publisher=Meckler Books |isbn=978-0-930466-17-6}}
{{Cite web |title=Our Campaigns - Governor of Tennessee - History |url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/ContainerHistory.html?ContainerID=171 |access-date=2023-07-25 |website=www.ourcampaigns.com}}
{{Cite web |title=Our Campaigns - Governor of Tennessee (CSA) - History |url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/ContainerHistory.html?ContainerID=68433 |access-date=2023-07-25 |website=www.ourcampaigns.com}}

;Specific

External links

[https://www.tn.gov/governor.html Office of the Governor of Tennessee]

Category:Lists of state governors of the United States

Governors

governor

Governors

List of governors of Tennessee