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The first female governors are elected in the United States
On November 4, 1924, voters in Texas and Wyoming elect the nation’s first female governors: Miriam Amanda “Ma” Ferguson of Texas and Nellie Tayloe Ross of Wyoming. Both former first ladies of their states, the women enter the race in place of their husbands, though under vastly different circumstances.
Ferguson’s husband, James Edward “Pa” Ferguson, was elected Texas governor in 1914 and reelected in 1916. The following year, he was impeached and removed from office on multiple charges, including misapplication of public funds, and was barred from holding office in Texas.
Ferguson, also known as “Farmer Jim,” challenged the validity of his impeachment and sought a place on the ballot in the 1924 Democratic primary. When party leaders refused, Miriam Ferguson ran in his place. Campaigning on the slogan “two governors for the price of one,” she openly promised that her husband would help make major decisions.
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In Wyoming, William Bradford Ross took office as governor in January 1923 but died on October 2, 1924, at age 50. His widow, Nellie Tayloe Ross, secured the Democratic nomination for a special election to succeed him. During her tenure, she advocated tax relief for farmers.
Miriam Ferguson served two nonconsecutive terms as governor: 1925 to 1927 and 1933 to 1935. She ran for the office five times in total, losing her final bid in 1940 before retiring from public life. She died on June 25, 1961, at age 86.
Ross served one term, from 1925 to 1927, but lost her reelection bid in 1926. She later became vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, and President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed her director of the U.S. Mint, a position she held from 1933 to 1953. Ross died on December 19, 1977, at age 101.
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Citation Information
- Article Title
- The first female governors are elected in the United States
- Authors
- Website Name
- History
- Date Accessed
- October 22, 2026
- Publisher
- A&E Television Networks
- Last Updated
- October 22, 2026
- Original Published Date
- October 22, 2026
