List of Governors of Kentucky

Governor of Kentucky
Seal of Kentucky
Incumbent Matt Bevin since December 8, 2015
Style	The Honorable
Residence	Kentucky Governor's Mansion
Term length	Four years, two consecutive with four year pause thereafter
Inaugural holder	Isaac Shelby
Formation	June 4, 1792
Salary	$153,970 (2013)
Website	governor.ky.gov

The Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky is the head of the executive branch of Kentucky's state government, and serves as commander-in-chief of the state's military forces. The governor has a duty to enforce state laws; the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Kentucky Legislature; the power to convene the legislature; and the power to grant pardons, except in cases of treason and impeachment. He or she is also empowered to reorganize the state government or reduce it in size. Historically, the office has been regarded as one of the most powerful executive positions in the United States.

Fifty-eight individuals have held the office of governor. Prior to a 1992 amendment to the state's constitution, the governor was prohibited from succeeding himself in office, though four men (Isaac Shelby, John L. Helm, James B. McCreary, and A. B. "Happy" Chandler) served multiple non-consecutive terms. Paul E. Patton, the first governor eligible for a second consecutive term under the amendment, won his reelection bid in 1999. James Garrard succeeded himself in 1800, before the constitutional provision existed.

William Goebel, who was elected to the office in the disputed election of 1899, remains the only governor of any U.S. state to die from assassination while in office.Martha Layne Collins, who held the office from 1983 to 1987, was the first woman to serve as governor and was only the third woman to serve as governor of any U.S. state who was not the wife or widow of a previous governor.