Minner, Ruth Ann, 1935-2021

Ruth Ann Minner (née Cloverdale; January 17, 1935 - November 4, 2021) is an American politician and businesswoman from Milford, in Kent County, Delaware. A member of the Democratic Party, she served as the 72nd (and, to date, only female) Governor of Delaware from 2001 to 2009. She previously served as the 23rd Lieutenant Governor of Delaware and in the Delaware General Assembly.

Born Ruth Ann Coverdale at Slaughter Neck in Cedar Creek Hundred, Sussex County, Delaware, Minner dropped out of high school at 16 to help support her family. After the death of her first husband, she worked two jobs to support her family while earning a GED. Minner subsequently attended Delaware Technical Community College, remarried, and operated a family towing business with her second husband.

Minner began her political career as a clerk in the Delaware House of Representatives and as a receptionist in the office of Governor Sherman W. Tribbitt. In 1974 she was elected to the State House, serving through the 1981/82 session. In 1982, Minner was elected to the Delaware Senate and served there from the 1983/1984 session through the 1991/1992 session. She was elected Lieutenant Governor in 1992, serving under Tom Carper for two terms. She was elected Governor in 1992, taking office early due to Carper's resignation to take a seat in the United States Senate. Governing with a bipartisan, consensus style, Minner was usually described as a middle-of-the-road politician, with conservative fiscal views but progressive social policies.

Minner died under hospice care in Milford, Delaware.