List of Pennsylvania Governors
The office of Pennsylvania governor was created by the state's Constitution of 1790. Before 1790, those who are listed below had held the office called president of the state Supreme Executive Council.
Presidents of the Supreme Executive Council to 1790
1777-1778.....Thomas Wharton, Jr (no party affiliation) 1778..............George Bryan (no party affiliation) 1778-1781.....Joseph Reed (no party affiliation) 1781-1782.....William Moore (no party affiliation) 1782-1785.....John Dickinson (no party affiliation) 1785-1790.....Benjamin Franklin (no party affiliation)
Governors since 1790
- - Following Governor Shunk's resignation due to illness, an interregnum of 17 days occurred before Governor Johnston was sworn in, during which time the office was vacant. Under the state's constitution of the time, the Speaker of the Senate should have become Governor upon Shunk's resignation. Johnston however was not officially notified until six days after Shunk's death (17 days following his resignation).
- - Governor Martin resigned to take a seat in the United States Senate.
- - At 5 a.m. on June 14, 1993, Governor Casey transferred executive authority to Lieutenant Governor Mark Singel, and later that day underwent a heart-liver transplant operation. Singel acted as Governor until Casey resumed the powers and duties of the office on the evening December 13, 1993.
- - On September 13, 2001, Governor Ridge was enlisted to aid in national homeland security efforts following the September 11th terrorist attacks, temporarily transferring his powers to Schweiker. He later resigned to accept the position of Director of Homeland Security (now Secretary of Homeland Security).
