Politics & Government

Nellie Tayloe Ross won an election to replace her late husband and became the first woman governor in the United States. Governor Ross survived several challenges to her authority, some of which started with her first days in office.

Milward Simpson also served on the University of Wyoming Board of Trustees from 1939 until 1954 when he was elected Governor.

Mike Sullivan practiced law with the firm of Brown, Drew, Apostolos, Massey, and Sullivan for twenty years and then ran for Governor in 1986. Governor Sullivan won the election and took office on January 7, 1987.

Mary Godat Bellamy, Wyoming’s first woman legislator, was elected to the state House of Representatives in 1910, where she sponsored bills aimed at improving the lives of women and children. She was active as well in the national movement for votes for women.

Lester Hunt was elected to the House of the State Legislature in 1932, elected Secretary of State in 1934 and 1938, and elected Governor in 1942 where he served until 1949.

Leslie Miller was elected Governor in 1932 to serve the last two years of Governor Emerson's unexpired term. Reelected in 1935, Governor Miller served until 1939.

Joseph Hickey was elected Governor and served two years before resigning in January 1961 to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by the death of Senator Elect Keith Thomson.

President Grant appointed John Thayer Governor of the Wyoming Territory in February 1875 and he took the oath of office March 1, 1875.

John Osborne was elected Governor and served from January 1893 to January 1895. He was also a member of Congress from March 1897 to March 1899,

President Hayes appointed John Hoyt Governor of Wyoming Territory on April 10, 1878. The new Governor took the oath of office May 29, 1878 and served until August 22, 1882.