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Although an Independent, Fletcher was nominated by the Republican Party for governor in 1912. Since no candidate won a majority of the vote, the race was decided by the state legislature, which chose Fletcher. Fletcher appointed the first woman to…

As governor, Peck sought to improve conditions in the state's prisons and supported the establishment of workhouses for minor offenders. During his administration, the office of State Superintendent of Public Instruction was created and a joint…

Because Coolidge did not receive a majority of the popular vote in the gubernatorial elections of 1848 and 1849, he was chosen governor by the legislature both times. During his administration, a Supreme Court and Circuit Court system was…

During Page's term as governor, legislation was enacted providing for secret ballots in elections, and the governor was empowered to appoint judges of all city and municipal courts.
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As governor, Bell supported centralized schools and favored restricting the newly-invented automobile to a few roads. In addition, legislation was enacted during his administration forbidding the employment of children in mills, workshops, and…

In 1850, Williams won the race for governor as the Whig candidate, winning again in 1851-the last election decided by popular vote until the formation of the Republican Party. His administration was marked by passage of the Habeas Corpus Act,…

During Smith's gubernatorial administration, old-age pension and unemployment laws were enacted by the state legislature.
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In the gubernatorial election of 1841, neither Paine as the Whig candidate nor his Democratic opponent garnered the majority of the popular vote, leaving the decision of who would be governor to the state legislature, which chose Paine. Paine was…

During Gates' gubernatorial administration, a Direct Primary Law was enacted, as was legislation to permit the election of representatives to Congress by a plurality vote. In addition, the state legislature authorized the establishment of a…

As governor, Van Ness favored-though unsuccessfully-the abolition of imprisonment for debt and urged education for the poor as a means of fighting crime. He is also credited with establishing the state’s system for choosing presidential…

Davis faced controversy minutes after taking the oath of office in 1969 by proposing creation of a state sales tax to help pay for the explosion in state programs enacted during the 1960s. The sales tax passed. He was reelected for a second term and…

Elected governor in 1886, Ormsbe focused on illiteracy in Vermont and secured the establishment of a commission to revise the state's education laws. During his administration, the state legislature also established a Board of Railroad Commissioners…