# List of governors of Minnesota *Office of the governor of Minnesota, from territorial appointments to the present* The [[Governor of Minnesota]] leads the government of the U.S. state of [[Minnesota]]. As chief of the state's executive branch, the officeholder is responsible for enforcing state laws.[^1] The state has had 41 governors. [[Rudy Perpich]] is the only one whose terms were not consecutive.[^1] Before statehood, the president of the United States appointed three governors of [[Minnesota Territory]]. The first of them, [[Alexander Ramsey]], went on to serve as governor of the state.[^1] Members of five political parties have held the office: the Minnesota Democratic Party, the [[Republican Party of Minnesota]], the Minnesota Farmer-Labor Party, the [[Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party]], and the Independence Party of Minnesota.[^2] By party, the source counts twenty-six Republicans, six DFLers, four Democrats, three Farmer-Laborites, and one Independence Party member. [[John Lind (politician)|John Lind]], counted among the Democrats, won office on a fusion ticket shared with the Populist Party.[^2] [[Tim Walz]], a DFL member, has held the office since January 7, 2019.[^1] ## List of governors ### Minnesota Territory Congress's organization of Minnesota Territory dates to March 3, 1849.[^3] When the territorial governor was absent, the secretary of the territory served in the governor's place. [[Charles L. Chase]], as secretary, served as acting governor from October 13, 1857, until the elected state officials assumed office on May 24, 1858.[^3] ### State of Minnesota Minnesota entered the Union on May 11, 1858.[^4] The state's 1858 Constitution established the offices of governor and lieutenant governor, each chosen in a separate election for a two-year term. Beginning in 1963, both terms became four years long. Since 1974, the two offices have been filled by election on a joint ticket.[^4] ## In the Minnesota record ### Who - The state has had 41 governors; Rudy Perpich served non-consecutive terms.[^1] - Alexander Ramsey was the first of three presidentially appointed territorial governors and later served as state governor.[^1] - Charles L. Chase, territorial secretary, was acting governor from October 13, 1857, to May 24, 1858.[^3] - John Lind won office on a fusion ticket with the Populist Party.[^2] ### What - The governor heads the state's executive branch and is charged with enforcing state laws.[^1] ### When - Minnesota Territory: organized March 3, 1849.[^3] - Statehood: May 11, 1858.[^4] - Elected state officials took office: May 24, 1858.[^3] - Terms lengthened from two to four years: starting in 1963.[^4] - Governor and lieutenant governor on a joint ticket: as of 1974.[^4] - Tim Walz took office: January 7, 2019.[^1] ### How - The 1858 Constitution created the offices of governor and lieutenant governor, originally elected separately.[^4] ### How many - Governors by party: twenty-six Republicans, six DFLers, four Democrats, three Farmer-Laborites, and one Independence Party member.[^2] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia, *List of governors of Minnesota* (revision 1377106127, retrieved 2026-10-26) — lead section: the governor's role, the count of 41 governors, Perpich's non-consecutive terms, the three territorial appointees including Ramsey, and Walz's January 7, 2019 start. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_governors_of_Minnesota [^2]: Wikipedia, *List of governors of Minnesota* (revision 1377106127, retrieved 2026-10-26) — lead section: the five parties, the party tally, and Lind's fusion ticket with the Populist Party. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_governors_of_Minnesota [^3]: Wikipedia, *List of governors of Minnesota* (revision 1377106127, retrieved 2026-10-26) — "Minnesota Territory" subsection: organization on March 3, 1849, and Chase's acting term from October 13, 1857, to May 24, 1858. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_governors_of_Minnesota [^4]: Wikipedia, *List of governors of Minnesota* (revision 1377106127, retrieved 2026-10-26) — "State of Minnesota" subsection: admission on May 11, 1858, the 1858 Constitution's offices and two-year terms, the four-year terms from 1963, and the joint ticket as of 1974. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_governors_of_Minnesota