You’ve probably seen the signs. "The Provisions State." "The Constitution State." Connecticut has a lot of nicknames, but the real story of how it’s been run for the last 380-plus years is kinda wild. Most people assume the list of governors of Connecticut is just a dry catalog of guys in powdered wigs followed by guys in grey suits.
Actually? It’s much messier than that.
We’re talking about a history that includes a governor who served for exactly one day, a colonial leader who switched sides during the Revolution without breaking a sweat, and a long-standing rule that actually prevents the governor from pardoning anyone. Honestly, Connecticut’s executive branch is a bit of an outlier in American politics.
The Start of It All: John Haynes and the 1600s
Connecticut didn't even start as a state, obviously. Back in 1639, John Haynes became the first governor of the Colony of Connecticut. Back then, they didn't have term limits. Instead, they had this weird revolving door.
Haynes and Edward Hopkins basically traded the office back and forth every other year because the law said you couldn't serve two years in a row. It was like a very slow-motion game of musical chairs.
The Legend of Jonathan Trumbull
If you only remember one name from the early years, make it Jonathan Trumbull. He’s basically the G.O.A.T. of Connecticut politics. Why? Because when the Revolutionary War broke out, he was the only colonial governor to side with the rebels.
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Think about that.
Every other governor stayed loyal to the King. Trumbull didn't. He was so helpful to George Washington that Washington reportedly called him "Brother Jonathan." This nickname eventually became a personification of the whole United States, sort of like a precursor to Uncle Sam. Trumbull served through the transition from colony to statehood, holding the reins from 1769 all the way to 1784.
Moving Through the 19th Century
Things got more formal after the 1818 Constitution, but they were still weird. For a long time, terms were only one year long. Imagine running for re-election every twelve months. It sounds exhausting.
- Oliver Wolcott Jr. (1817–1827) helped transition the state away from its old "Charter" system.
- William A. Buckingham was the Civil War governor, a staunch Lincoln ally who basically turned the state into a factory for the Union Army.
- Phineas C. Lounsbury and George E. Lounsbury – yup, brothers. They served about a decade apart.
By the late 1800s, the state finally realized that one-year terms were a nightmare and bumped them up to two years in 1875.
The 20th Century: Records and Firsts
The 1900s is where the list of governors of Connecticut starts to look a bit more like modern politics, but with some legendary "glitches" in the system.
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Take Hiram Bingham III. He’s the guy who discovered Machu Picchu. He was a genuine explorer. He was also the governor of Connecticut for... twenty-four hours. He was inaugurated on January 7, 1925, and resigned the next day to take a seat in the U.S. Senate. He holds the record for the shortest term in state history.
Breaking the Glass Ceiling
Then you have Ella Grasso. Elected in 1974, she was the first woman in U.S. history to be elected governor "in her own right"—meaning she wasn't the wife or widow of a previous governor. She was incredibly popular until she had to resign due to health issues in 1980. Her statue still sits in a niche at the State Capitol.
Modern Era and Today’s Leadership
In the last few decades, the governorship has seen plenty of drama. We had Lowell Weicker, who won as an Independent in 1990 under "A Connecticut Party" and promptly gave the state its first income tax. People were furious at the time, but he stood his ground.
Then came the John G. Rowland years, which ended in a corruption scandal and a resignation in 2004. He was followed by M. Jodi Rell, who was tasked with cleaning up the mess and became one of the most well-liked figures in recent memory.
Ned Lamont and the 2026 Landscape
Right now, as we move through 2026, Ned Lamont is the 89th Governor of Connecticut. He’s a Democrat, a former cable entrepreneur, and he’s currently seeking a third term.
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Lamont has navigated a lot—the tail end of the pandemic, massive budget surpluses, and the ongoing debate over "YIMBY" housing reforms. While his approval ratings have stayed relatively high (hovering around 63% recently), he’s facing some internal pressure from the progressive wing of his own party, led by people like State Representative Josh Elliott.
Surprising Facts About Connecticut Governors
- No Pardons: Unlike almost every other state, Connecticut’s governor can’t just sign a paper and let someone out of prison. That power belongs to the Board of Pardons and Paroles.
- Ex-Officio Roles: The governor is automatically on the board of trustees for both UConn and Yale.
- Salary: It’s around $150,000, though some wealthy governors like Lamont or Rowland have famously declined it or taken a modified version.
- The "Brother Jonathan" Legacy: The nickname for the state's residents—"Nutmeggers"—is famous, but for a long time, the reliable, steady people of the state were just called "Jonathans" after Trumbull.
Why This History Matters
Looking at the list of governors of Connecticut isn't just about names on a wall. It’s about seeing how a small, quirky state managed to stay relevant. From supplying the Continental Army to navigating the industrial revolution and modern finance, the executive office has had to pivot constantly.
If you're looking to dive deeper into the specific dates or the full chronological roster, the Connecticut State Library in Hartford keeps the definitive records, including portraits of almost every person who has held the office.
Actionable Insights for Researching CT Governors
If you're a student or a history buff, don't just look at Wikipedia.
- Visit the Museum of Connecticut History: It's right across from the State Capitol and has the "Portraits of the Governors" exhibit.
- Check the Blue Book: The Connecticut State Register and Manual (the Blue Book) is the "Bible" of state facts.
- Watch the 2026 Election: With Lamont seeking a third term, we are watching history happen in real-time. If he wins, he joins a very small group of modern governors who have secured a decade or more in the seat.
The list of governors is still being written, and the 2026 election will determine whether we add a 90th name or keep the 89th for another four years.
Next Steps:
To get a full picture of the state's leadership, you should look into the history of the Connecticut General Assembly, as the governor’s power has always been uniquely balanced (and sometimes limited) by the legislature. You can also research the Charter Oak incident to see why early governors were so obsessed with hiding legal documents from the British.