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Iowa and State Government Information: Executive Branch

Governor of the Month

The Governor of the Month for May 2023 is Albert B. Cummins the 18th Governor of Iowa (b.Feb. 15, 1850-d. July 30, 1926) Born in Carmichaels, Pennsylvania, he studied at Waynesburg College and moved to Iowa when he was 19. He lived in Indiana for a time and then Chicago where he studied law. He set up a practice in Des Moines and became active in the Republican Party. He was elected to the Iowa Senate in 1887 and was eventually elected governor in 1902, serving for 3 two year terms. Cummins then became a U.S. Senator and served until his death in 1926.  He was part of the progressive movement of the Republican Party and ran for president in 1912 and 1916. Cummins was also president pro tempore of the Senate from 1919-1925.  He is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Des Moines.