Kentucky. Governor (1796-1804 : Garrard)

James Garrard was Kentucky's second governor and the only governor to succeed himself. He served from 1796 to 1804, and was a Jeffersonian Republican.

Garrard was born in Stafford County, Virginia on January 14, 1749. After holding several local offices, he was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1779. He joined the Stafford County regiment of the Virginia Militia and served during the American Revolution, rising to the rank of colonel in 1781. In 1783, he moved west to what is now Bourbon County, Kentucky where he surveyed land; ran a grist mill; made whiskey; farmed; and, practicing as a Baptist minister, founded several Baptist churches in central Kentucky. Still holding his office as a Virginia legislator, he was influential in establishing Bourbon County from Fayette County in 1785 and served as surveyor, magistrate, and colonel of the militia. Garrard served in five Kentucky statehood conventions and helped to write the first constitution in 1792.

Garrard, who succeeded Kentucky's first governor Isaac Shelby, assumed office after a controversial election. The electoral vote failed to produce a majority for any of the three candidates. Since the Kentucky constitution did not provide for this, Kentucky county electors followed the example of other states and held a second ballot. Garrard won a majority on the second ballot, but the validity of the second vote was held in question by the attorney general. Despite this opposition, Garrard took his place as Kentucky's chief executive in 1796. By 1799, a second constitution had been adopted, providing for a popular vote election. Garrard won re-election in 1800 under the provisions of the new constitution and became the only Kentucky governor to serve two consecutive four-year terms.

Garrard was a strong governor, who favored expanding government services and increased government spending. During his terms of office, Garrard worked to strengthen and reform the militia, promote home industry, subsidize business, and promote the Kentucky Resolutions that reaffirmed Kentucky's loyalty to the federal government while denouncing the Alien and Sedition Acts. Throughout his term, he was noted for selecting men of experience, education, and ability for positions in the militia, courts, and other offices. Garrard was also noted for promoting rapid growth from Kentucky's frontier beginnings to a politically and socially expanding society.

Garrard frequently vetoed legislation. In 1802, he became the first governor in Kentucky history to have his veto overridden by the legislature when he challenged the controversial circuit court bill. Although his veto of the original bill on the grounds of possible unconstitutionality, amongst other objections, was accepted, his veto of a second court bill for similar reasons was rejected and the circuit court system was initiated.

The closing of the New Orleans port and the threat of war with Spain in 1802 had enormous political and economic impact on Kentucky, threatening Garrard's plans to aid Kentucky business through trading in the Mississippi Valley. Garrard, acting as commander-in-chief, held Kentucky's militia of 2,600 in readiness until the Louisiana Purchase was completed, and Spain had withdrawn peacefully.

After completing his two terms as governor, Garrard retired from the ministry and from politics to his home in Bourbon County, where he died in January 1822.

From the description of Subunit history. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 145416303