CINXE.COM

<!doctype html> <html> <head>  <meta charset="UTF-8"> <meta content="IE=edge,chrome=1" http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0, maximum-scale=1 user-scalable=no">  <link href="https://www.nga.org/wp-content/themes/nga/images/branding/favicon.png" rel="icon" type="image/png"> <meta name='robots' content='index, follow, max-image-preview:large, max-snippet:-1, max-video-preview:-1' /> <style>img:is([sizes="auto" i], [sizes^="auto," i]) { contain-intrinsic-size: 3000px 1500px }</style>  <script data-cfasync="false" data-pagespeed-no-defer> var gtm4wp_datalayer_name = "dataLayer"; var dataLayer = dataLayer || []; </script>   <link media="all" href="https://www.nga.org/wp-content/cache/autoptimize/css/autoptimize_653c7e3259b86fc92750f71ea13ec8d3.css" rel="stylesheet"><link media="screen" href="https://www.nga.org/wp-content/cache/autoptimize/css/autoptimize_897fdf1ffa0c0b2ed380267025810d76.css" rel="stylesheet"><title>John Rutledge - National Governors Association</title> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.nga.org/governor/john-rutledge/" /> <meta property="og:locale" content="en_US" /> <meta property="og:type" content="article" /> <meta property="og:title" content="John Rutledge" /> <meta property="og:description" content="JOHN RUTLEDGE was born near Charleston, South Carolina. He was privately tutored in his youth and then studied law at London’s Middle Temple, following which he returned to Charleston to practice law. In his early twenties he was elected to the Provincial Assembly. Although he preferred to act with restraint following passage of the Stamp […]" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.nga.org/governor/john-rutledge/" /> <meta property="og:site_name" content="National Governors Association" /> <meta property="article:publisher" content="https://www.facebook.com/nationalgovernorsassociation" /> <meta property="article:modified_time" content="2020-10-28T15:36:31+00:00" /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://www.nga.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/nga.share_.light_.png" /> <meta property="og:image:width" content="1200" /> <meta property="og:image:height" content="630" /> <meta property="og:image:type" content="image/png" /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" /> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@NatlGovsAssoc" /> <meta name="twitter:label1" content="Est. reading time" /> <meta name="twitter:data1" content="2 minutes" /> <script type="application/ld+json" class="yoast-schema-graph">{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.nga.org/governor/john-rutledge/","url":"https://www.nga.org/governor/john-rutledge/","name":"John Rutledge - National Governors Association","isPartOf":{"@id":"https://www.nga.org/#website"},"datePublished":"2018-11-06T03:27:53+00:00","dateModified":"2020-10-28T15:36:31+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://www.nga.org/governor/john-rutledge/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https://www.nga.org/governor/john-rutledge/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://www.nga.org/governor/john-rutledge/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.nga.org/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"John Rutledge"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://www.nga.org/#website","url":"https://www.nga.org/","name":"National Governors Association","description":"Leading Bipartisan Solutions","publisher":{"@id":"https://www.nga.org/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https://www.nga.org/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.nga.org/#organization","name":"National Governors Association","url":"https://www.nga.org/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https://www.nga.org/#/schema/logo/image/","url":"https://www.nga.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/nga.share_.light_.png","contentUrl":"https://www.nga.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/nga.share_.light_.png","width":1200,"height":630,"caption":"National Governors Association"},"image":{"@id":"https://www.nga.org/#/schema/logo/image/"},"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/nationalgovernorsassociation","https://x.com/NatlGovsAssoc"]}]}</script>  <link rel='dns-prefetch' href='//d3js.org' /> <link rel='dns-prefetch' href='//www.googletagmanager.com' /> <link rel='dns-prefetch' href='//fonts.googleapis.com' /> <link rel='dns-prefetch' href='//pro.fontawesome.com' /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="National Governors Association » Feed" href="https://www.nga.org/feed/" /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="National Governors Association » Comments Feed" href="https://www.nga.org/comments/feed/" /> <style id='wp-block-library-theme-inline-css' type='text/css'> .wp-block-audio :where(figcaption){color:#555;font-size:13px;text-align:center}.is-dark-theme .wp-block-audio :where(figcaption){color:#ffffffa6}.wp-block-audio{margin:0 0 1em}.wp-block-code{border:1px solid #ccc;border-radius:4px;font-family:Menlo,Consolas,monaco,monospace;padding:.8em 1em}.wp-block-embed :where(figcaption){color:#555;font-size:13px;text-align:center}.is-dark-theme .wp-block-embed :where(figcaption){color:#ffffffa6}.wp-block-embed{margin:0 0 1em}.blocks-gallery-caption{color:#555;font-size:13px;text-align:center}.is-dark-theme .blocks-gallery-caption{color:#ffffffa6}:root :where(.wp-block-image figcaption){color:#555;font-size:13px;text-align:center}.is-dark-theme :root :where(.wp-block-image figcaption){color:#ffffffa6}.wp-block-image{margin:0 0 1em}.wp-block-pullquote{border-bottom:4px solid;border-top:4px solid;color:currentColor;margin-bottom:1.75em}.wp-block-pullquote cite,.wp-block-pullquote footer,.wp-block-pullquote__citation{color:currentColor;font-size:.8125em;font-style:normal;text-transform:uppercase}.wp-block-quote{border-left:.25em solid;margin:0 0 1.75em;padding-left:1em}.wp-block-quote cite,.wp-block-quote footer{color:currentColor;font-size:.8125em;font-style:normal;position:relative}.wp-block-quote:where(.has-text-align-right){border-left:none;border-right:.25em solid;padding-left:0;padding-right:1em}.wp-block-quote:where(.has-text-align-center){border:none;padding-left:0}.wp-block-quote.is-large,.wp-block-quote.is-style-large,.wp-block-quote:where(.is-style-plain){border:none}.wp-block-search .wp-block-search__label{font-weight:700}.wp-block-search__button{border:1px solid #ccc;padding:.375em .625em}:where(.wp-block-group.has-background){padding:1.25em 2.375em}.wp-block-separator.has-css-opacity{opacity:.4}.wp-block-separator{border:none;border-bottom:2px solid;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto}.wp-block-separator.has-alpha-channel-opacity{opacity:1}.wp-block-separator:not(.is-style-wide):not(.is-style-dots){width:100px}.wp-block-separator.has-background:not(.is-style-dots){border-bottom:none;height:1px}.wp-block-separator.has-background:not(.is-style-wide):not(.is-style-dots){height:2px}.wp-block-table{margin:0 0 1em}.wp-block-table td,.wp-block-table th{word-break:normal}.wp-block-table :where(figcaption){color:#555;font-size:13px;text-align:center}.is-dark-theme .wp-block-table :where(figcaption){color:#ffffffa6}.wp-block-video :where(figcaption){color:#555;font-size:13px;text-align:center}.is-dark-theme .wp-block-video :where(figcaption){color:#ffffffa6}.wp-block-video{margin:0 0 1em}:root :where(.wp-block-template-part.has-background){margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;padding:1.25em 2.375em} </style> <link rel='stylesheet' id='font-awesome-svg-styles-css' href='https://www.nga.org/wp-content/uploads/font-awesome/v5.9.0/css/svg-with-js.css' type='text/css' media='all' /> <style id='font-awesome-svg-styles-inline-css' type='text/css'> .wp-block-font-awesome-icon svg::before, .wp-rich-text-font-awesome-icon svg::before {content: unset;} </style> <style id='classic-theme-styles-inline-css' type='text/css'> /*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} </style> <style id='global-styles-inline-css' type='text/css'> :root{--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--square: 1;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--4-3: 4/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-4: 3/4;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-2: 3/2;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--2-3: 2/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--16-9: 16/9;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--9-16: 9/16;--wp--preset--color--black: #000000;--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray: #abb8c3;--wp--preset--color--white: #ffffff;--wp--preset--color--pale-pink: #f78da7;--wp--preset--color--vivid-red: #cf2e2e;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange: #ff6900;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber: #fcb900;--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan: #7bdcb5;--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan: #00d084;--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue: #8ed1fc;--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue: #0693e3;--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple: #9b51e0;--wp--preset--color--hero-base: #5F259F;--wp--preset--color--pink-base: #991E66;--wp--preset--color--purple-light: #4C4184;--wp--preset--color--purple-dark: #270F3D;--wp--preset--color--yellow-base: #FFBF00;--wp--preset--color--white-base: #FFFFFF;--wp--preset--color--gray-light: #F7F8FA;--wp--preset--color--gray-base: #DDDDDD;--wp--preset--color--black-base: #1F1F1F;--wp--preset--color--black-light: #2A2A2A;--wp--preset--color--type-gray-base: #959595;--wp--preset--color--type-black-base: #151515;--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(6,147,227,1) 0%,rgb(155,81,224) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(122,220,180) 0%,rgb(0,208,130) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(252,185,0,1) 0%,rgba(255,105,0,1) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(255,105,0,1) 0%,rgb(207,46,46) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(238,238,238) 0%,rgb(169,184,195) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(74,234,220) 0%,rgb(151,120,209) 20%,rgb(207,42,186) 40%,rgb(238,44,130) 60%,rgb(251,105,98) 80%,rgb(254,248,76) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,206,236) 0%,rgb(152,150,240) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(254,205,165) 0%,rgb(254,45,45) 50%,rgb(107,0,62) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,203,112) 0%,rgb(199,81,192) 50%,rgb(65,88,208) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,245,203) 0%,rgb(182,227,212) 50%,rgb(51,167,181) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(202,248,128) 0%,rgb(113,206,126) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--midnight: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(2,3,129) 0%,rgb(40,116,252) 100%);--wp--preset--font-size--small: 13px;--wp--preset--font-size--medium: 20px;--wp--preset--font-size--large: 36px;--wp--preset--font-size--x-large: 42px;--wp--preset--font-size--heading-1: 44px;--wp--preset--font-size--heading-2: 38px;--wp--preset--font-size--heading-3: 28px;--wp--preset--font-size--heading-4: 19px;--wp--preset--font-size--heading-5: 17px;--wp--preset--font-size--heading-6: 14px;--wp--preset--font-size--normal: 15px;--wp--preset--spacing--20: 0.44rem;--wp--preset--spacing--30: 0.67rem;--wp--preset--spacing--40: 1rem;--wp--preset--spacing--50: 1.5rem;--wp--preset--spacing--60: 2.25rem;--wp--preset--spacing--70: 3.38rem;--wp--preset--spacing--80: 5.06rem;--wp--preset--shadow--natural: 6px 6px 9px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);--wp--preset--shadow--deep: 12px 12px 50px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4);--wp--preset--shadow--sharp: 6px 6px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);--wp--preset--shadow--outlined: 6px 6px 0px -3px rgba(255, 255, 255, 1), 6px 6px rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);--wp--preset--shadow--crisp: 6px 6px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);}:where(.is-layout-flex){gap: 0.5em;}:where(.is-layout-grid){gap: 0.5em;}body .is-layout-flex{display: flex;}.is-layout-flex{flex-wrap: wrap;align-items: center;}.is-layout-flex > :is(*, div){margin: 0;}body .is-layout-grid{display: grid;}.is-layout-grid > :is(*, div){margin: 0;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap: 1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap: 1.25em;}.has-black-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red) !important;}.has-very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum) !important;}.has-blush-light-purple-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple) !important;}.has-blush-bordeaux-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux) !important;}.has-luminous-dusk-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk) !important;}.has-pale-ocean-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean) !important;}.has-electric-grass-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass) !important;}.has-midnight-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--midnight) !important;}.has-small-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--small) !important;}.has-medium-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--medium) !important;}.has-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--large) !important;}.has-x-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--x-large) !important;} :where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap: 1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap: 1.25em;} :where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap: 2em;} :root :where(.wp-block-pullquote){font-size: 1.5em;line-height: 1.6;} </style> <link rel='stylesheet' id='base_fonts-css' href='https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Open+Sans%3A400%2C700%7CPoppins%3A400%2C600%2C700%2C800&ver=6.7.1' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='icon_fonts-css' href='https://www.nga.org%20https://pro.fontawesome.com/releases/v5.8.2/css/all.css%20integrity=sha384-xVVam1KS4+Qt2OrFa+VdRUoXygyKIuNWUUUBZYv+n27STsJ7oDOHJgfF0bNKLMJF%20?ver=6.7.1' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='ut_body_font_type-css' href='//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Raleway%3A400&subset=latin&ver=6.7.1' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='ut_global_header_text_logo_font_type-css' href='//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Raleway%3A700&subset=latin&ver=6.7.1' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='ut_global_navigation_font_type-css' href='//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Raleway%3A500%2C400%2C%2C&subset=latin&ver=6.7.1' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='ut_front_hero_font_type-css' href='//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Raleway%3A700&subset=latin&ver=6.7.1' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='ut_front_catchphrase_top_font_type-css' href='//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Raleway%3A500&ver=6.7.1' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='ut_blog_hero_font_type-css' href='//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Raleway%3A700&subset=latin&ver=6.7.1' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='ut_global_h1_font_type-css' href='//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Raleway%3A500&subset=latin&ver=6.7.1' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='ut_global_h2_font_type-css' href='//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Raleway%3A500&subset=latin&ver=6.7.1' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='ut_global_h3_font_type-css' href='//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Raleway%3A500&subset=latin&ver=6.7.1' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='ut_global_h4_font_type-css' href='//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Raleway%3A500&subset=latin&ver=6.7.1' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='ut_global_h5_font_type-css' href='//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Raleway%3A500&subset=latin&ver=6.7.1' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='ut_global_h6_font_type-css' href='//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Raleway%3A500&subset=latin&ver=6.7.1' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='ut_global_headline_font_type-css' href='//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Raleway%3A700&subset=latin&ver=6.7.1' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='ut_global_page_headline_font_type-css' href='//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Raleway%3A700&subset=latin&ver=6.7.1' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='ut_global_lead_font_type-css' href='//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Raleway%3A500&subset=latin&ver=6.7.1' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='ut_csection_header_font_type-css' href='//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Raleway%3A700&subset=latin&ver=6.7.1' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='ut_csection_lead_font_type-css' href='//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Raleway%3A500&subset=latin&ver=6.7.1' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='ut_global_portfolio_title_font_type-css' href='//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Raleway%3A500&ver=6.7.1' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='ut_global_portfolio_category_font_type-css' href='//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Raleway%3A500&ver=6.7.1' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='ut_blockquote_font_type-css' href='//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Peralta%3A400&subset=latin&ver=6.7.1' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='ut_global_blog_widgets_headline_font_type-css' href='//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Oswald%3A700&subset=latin&ver=6.7.1' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='font-awesome-official-css' href='https://pro.fontawesome.com/releases/v5.9.0/css/all.css' type='text/css' media='all' integrity="sha384-vlOMx0hKjUCl4WzuhIhSNZSm2yQCaf0mOU1hEDK/iztH3gU4v5NMmJln9273A6Jz" crossorigin="anonymous" /> <style id='moove_gdpr_frontend-inline-css' type='text/css'> #moove_gdpr_cookie_modal .moove-gdpr-modal-content .moove-gdpr-tab-main h3.tab-title, #moove_gdpr_cookie_modal .moove-gdpr-modal-content .moove-gdpr-tab-main span.tab-title, #moove_gdpr_cookie_modal .moove-gdpr-modal-content .moove-gdpr-modal-left-content #moove-gdpr-menu li a, #moove_gdpr_cookie_modal .moove-gdpr-modal-content .moove-gdpr-modal-left-content #moove-gdpr-menu li button, #moove_gdpr_cookie_modal .moove-gdpr-modal-content .moove-gdpr-modal-left-content .moove-gdpr-branding-cnt a, #moove_gdpr_cookie_modal .moove-gdpr-modal-content .moove-gdpr-modal-footer-content .moove-gdpr-button-holder a.mgbutton, #moove_gdpr_cookie_modal .moove-gdpr-modal-content .moove-gdpr-modal-footer-content .moove-gdpr-button-holder button.mgbutton, #moove_gdpr_cookie_modal .cookie-switch .cookie-slider:after, #moove_gdpr_cookie_modal .cookie-switch .slider:after, #moove_gdpr_cookie_modal .switch .cookie-slider:after, #moove_gdpr_cookie_modal .switch .slider:after, #moove_gdpr_cookie_info_bar .moove-gdpr-info-bar-container .moove-gdpr-info-bar-content p, #moove_gdpr_cookie_info_bar .moove-gdpr-info-bar-container .moove-gdpr-info-bar-content p a, #moove_gdpr_cookie_info_bar .moove-gdpr-info-bar-container .moove-gdpr-info-bar-content a.mgbutton, #moove_gdpr_cookie_info_bar .moove-gdpr-info-bar-container .moove-gdpr-info-bar-content button.mgbutton, #moove_gdpr_cookie_modal .moove-gdpr-modal-content .moove-gdpr-tab-main .moove-gdpr-tab-main-content h1, #moove_gdpr_cookie_modal .moove-gdpr-modal-content .moove-gdpr-tab-main .moove-gdpr-tab-main-content h2, #moove_gdpr_cookie_modal .moove-gdpr-modal-content .moove-gdpr-tab-main .moove-gdpr-tab-main-content h3, #moove_gdpr_cookie_modal .moove-gdpr-modal-content .moove-gdpr-tab-main .moove-gdpr-tab-main-content h4, #moove_gdpr_cookie_modal .moove-gdpr-modal-content .moove-gdpr-tab-main .moove-gdpr-tab-main-content h5, #moove_gdpr_cookie_modal .moove-gdpr-modal-content .moove-gdpr-tab-main .moove-gdpr-tab-main-content h6, #moove_gdpr_cookie_modal .moove-gdpr-modal-content.moove_gdpr_modal_theme_v2 .moove-gdpr-modal-title .tab-title, #moove_gdpr_cookie_modal .moove-gdpr-modal-content.moove_gdpr_modal_theme_v2 .moove-gdpr-tab-main h3.tab-title, #moove_gdpr_cookie_modal .moove-gdpr-modal-content.moove_gdpr_modal_theme_v2 .moove-gdpr-tab-main span.tab-title, #moove_gdpr_cookie_modal .moove-gdpr-modal-content.moove_gdpr_modal_theme_v2 .moove-gdpr-branding-cnt a { font-weight: inherit } #moove_gdpr_cookie_modal,#moove_gdpr_cookie_info_bar,.gdpr_cookie_settings_shortcode_content{font-family:inherit}#moove_gdpr_save_popup_settings_button{background-color:#373737;color:#fff}#moove_gdpr_save_popup_settings_button:hover{background-color:#000}#moove_gdpr_cookie_info_bar .moove-gdpr-info-bar-container .moove-gdpr-info-bar-content a.mgbutton,#moove_gdpr_cookie_info_bar .moove-gdpr-info-bar-container .moove-gdpr-info-bar-content button.mgbutton{background-color:#0a2240}#moove_gdpr_cookie_modal .moove-gdpr-modal-content .moove-gdpr-modal-footer-content .moove-gdpr-button-holder a.mgbutton,#moove_gdpr_cookie_modal .moove-gdpr-modal-content .moove-gdpr-modal-footer-content .moove-gdpr-button-holder button.mgbutton,.gdpr_cookie_settings_shortcode_content .gdpr-shr-button.button-green{background-color:#0a2240;border-color:#0a2240}#moove_gdpr_cookie_modal .moove-gdpr-modal-content .moove-gdpr-modal-footer-content .moove-gdpr-button-holder a.mgbutton:hover,#moove_gdpr_cookie_modal .moove-gdpr-modal-content .moove-gdpr-modal-footer-content .moove-gdpr-button-holder button.mgbutton:hover,.gdpr_cookie_settings_shortcode_content .gdpr-shr-button.button-green:hover{background-color:#fff;color:#0a2240}#moove_gdpr_cookie_modal .moove-gdpr-modal-content .moove-gdpr-modal-close i,#moove_gdpr_cookie_modal .moove-gdpr-modal-content .moove-gdpr-modal-close span.gdpr-icon{background-color:#0a2240;border:1px solid #0a2240}#moove_gdpr_cookie_info_bar span.change-settings-button.focus-g,#moove_gdpr_cookie_info_bar span.change-settings-button:focus,#moove_gdpr_cookie_info_bar button.change-settings-button.focus-g,#moove_gdpr_cookie_info_bar button.change-settings-button:focus{-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 1px 3px #0a2240;-moz-box-shadow:0 0 1px 3px #0a2240;box-shadow:0 0 1px 3px #0a2240}#moove_gdpr_cookie_modal .moove-gdpr-modal-content .moove-gdpr-modal-close i:hover,#moove_gdpr_cookie_modal .moove-gdpr-modal-content .moove-gdpr-modal-close span.gdpr-icon:hover,#moove_gdpr_cookie_info_bar span[data-href]>u.change-settings-button{color:#0a2240}#moove_gdpr_cookie_modal .moove-gdpr-modal-content .moove-gdpr-modal-left-content #moove-gdpr-menu li.menu-item-selected a span.gdpr-icon,#moove_gdpr_cookie_modal .moove-gdpr-modal-content .moove-gdpr-modal-left-content #moove-gdpr-menu li.menu-item-selected button span.gdpr-icon{color:inherit}#moove_gdpr_cookie_modal .moove-gdpr-modal-content .moove-gdpr-modal-left-content #moove-gdpr-menu li a span.gdpr-icon,#moove_gdpr_cookie_modal .moove-gdpr-modal-content .moove-gdpr-modal-left-content #moove-gdpr-menu li button span.gdpr-icon{color:inherit}#moove_gdpr_cookie_modal .gdpr-acc-link{line-height:0;font-size:0;color:transparent;position:absolute}#moove_gdpr_cookie_modal .moove-gdpr-modal-content .moove-gdpr-modal-close:hover i,#moove_gdpr_cookie_modal .moove-gdpr-modal-content .moove-gdpr-modal-left-content #moove-gdpr-menu li a,#moove_gdpr_cookie_modal .moove-gdpr-modal-content .moove-gdpr-modal-left-content #moove-gdpr-menu li button,#moove_gdpr_cookie_modal .moove-gdpr-modal-content .moove-gdpr-modal-left-content #moove-gdpr-menu li button i,#moove_gdpr_cookie_modal .moove-gdpr-modal-content .moove-gdpr-modal-left-content #moove-gdpr-menu li a i,#moove_gdpr_cookie_modal .moove-gdpr-modal-content .moove-gdpr-tab-main .moove-gdpr-tab-main-content a:hover,#moove_gdpr_cookie_info_bar.moove-gdpr-dark-scheme .moove-gdpr-info-bar-container .moove-gdpr-info-bar-content a.mgbutton:hover,#moove_gdpr_cookie_info_bar.moove-gdpr-dark-scheme .moove-gdpr-info-bar-container .moove-gdpr-info-bar-content button.mgbutton:hover,#moove_gdpr_cookie_info_bar.moove-gdpr-dark-scheme .moove-gdpr-info-bar-container .moove-gdpr-info-bar-content a:hover,#moove_gdpr_cookie_info_bar.moove-gdpr-dark-scheme .moove-gdpr-info-bar-container .moove-gdpr-info-bar-content button:hover,#moove_gdpr_cookie_info_bar.moove-gdpr-dark-scheme .moove-gdpr-info-bar-container .moove-gdpr-info-bar-content span.change-settings-button:hover,#moove_gdpr_cookie_info_bar.moove-gdpr-dark-scheme .moove-gdpr-info-bar-container .moove-gdpr-info-bar-content button.change-settings-button:hover,#moove_gdpr_cookie_info_bar.moove-gdpr-dark-scheme .moove-gdpr-info-bar-container .moove-gdpr-info-bar-content u.change-settings-button:hover,#moove_gdpr_cookie_info_bar span[data-href]>u.change-settings-button,#moove_gdpr_cookie_info_bar.moove-gdpr-dark-scheme .moove-gdpr-info-bar-container .moove-gdpr-info-bar-content a.mgbutton.focus-g,#moove_gdpr_cookie_info_bar.moove-gdpr-dark-scheme .moove-gdpr-info-bar-container .moove-gdpr-info-bar-content button.mgbutton.focus-g,#moove_gdpr_cookie_info_bar.moove-gdpr-dark-scheme .moove-gdpr-info-bar-container .moove-gdpr-info-bar-content a.focus-g,#moove_gdpr_cookie_info_bar.moove-gdpr-dark-scheme .moove-gdpr-info-bar-container .moove-gdpr-info-bar-content button.focus-g,#moove_gdpr_cookie_info_bar.moove-gdpr-dark-scheme .moove-gdpr-info-bar-container .moove-gdpr-info-bar-content a.mgbutton:focus,#moove_gdpr_cookie_info_bar.moove-gdpr-dark-scheme .moove-gdpr-info-bar-container .moove-gdpr-info-bar-content button.mgbutton:focus,#moove_gdpr_cookie_info_bar.moove-gdpr-dark-scheme .moove-gdpr-info-bar-container .moove-gdpr-info-bar-content a:focus,#moove_gdpr_cookie_info_bar.moove-gdpr-dark-scheme .moove-gdpr-info-bar-container .moove-gdpr-info-bar-content button:focus,#moove_gdpr_cookie_info_bar.moove-gdpr-dark-scheme .moove-gdpr-info-bar-container .moove-gdpr-info-bar-content span.change-settings-button.focus-g,span.change-settings-button:focus,button.change-settings-button.focus-g,button.change-settings-button:focus,#moove_gdpr_cookie_info_bar.moove-gdpr-dark-scheme .moove-gdpr-info-bar-container .moove-gdpr-info-bar-content u.change-settings-button.focus-g,#moove_gdpr_cookie_info_bar.moove-gdpr-dark-scheme .moove-gdpr-info-bar-container .moove-gdpr-info-bar-content u.change-settings-button:focus{color:#0a2240}#moove_gdpr_cookie_modal.gdpr_lightbox-hide{display:none} </style> <link rel='stylesheet' id='font-awesome-official-v4shim-css' href='https://pro.fontawesome.com/releases/v5.9.0/css/v4-shims.css' type='text/css' media='all' integrity="sha384-tlZ/hMWxtcO6JxnBPYGsa5Oiu1gmAqp/bY7s7G6m5OOCJvcNQ6Fo39YHu4Elr+Hf" crossorigin="anonymous" /> <style id='font-awesome-official-v4shim-inline-css' type='text/css'> @font-face { font-family: "FontAwesome"; font-display: block; src: url("https://pro.fontawesome.com/releases/v5.9.0/webfonts/fa-brands-400.eot"), url("https://pro.fontawesome.com/releases/v5.9.0/webfonts/fa-brands-400.eot?#iefix") format("embedded-opentype"), url("https://pro.fontawesome.com/releases/v5.9.0/webfonts/fa-brands-400.woff2") format("woff2"), url("https://pro.fontawesome.com/releases/v5.9.0/webfonts/fa-brands-400.woff") format("woff"), url("https://pro.fontawesome.com/releases/v5.9.0/webfonts/fa-brands-400.ttf") format("truetype"), url("https://pro.fontawesome.com/releases/v5.9.0/webfonts/fa-brands-400.svg#fontawesome") format("svg"); } @font-face { font-family: "FontAwesome"; font-display: block; src: url("https://pro.fontawesome.com/releases/v5.9.0/webfonts/fa-solid-900.eot"), url("https://pro.fontawesome.com/releases/v5.9.0/webfonts/fa-solid-900.eot?#iefix") format("embedded-opentype"), url("https://pro.fontawesome.com/releases/v5.9.0/webfonts/fa-solid-900.woff2") format("woff2"), url("https://pro.fontawesome.com/releases/v5.9.0/webfonts/fa-solid-900.woff") format("woff"), url("https://pro.fontawesome.com/releases/v5.9.0/webfonts/fa-solid-900.ttf") format("truetype"), url("https://pro.fontawesome.com/releases/v5.9.0/webfonts/fa-solid-900.svg#fontawesome") format("svg"); } @font-face { font-family: "FontAwesome"; font-display: block; src: url("https://pro.fontawesome.com/releases/v5.9.0/webfonts/fa-regular-400.eot"), url("https://pro.fontawesome.com/releases/v5.9.0/webfonts/fa-regular-400.eot?#iefix") format("embedded-opentype"), url("https://pro.fontawesome.com/releases/v5.9.0/webfonts/fa-regular-400.woff2") format("woff2"), url("https://pro.fontawesome.com/releases/v5.9.0/webfonts/fa-regular-400.woff") format("woff"), url("https://pro.fontawesome.com/releases/v5.9.0/webfonts/fa-regular-400.ttf") format("truetype"), url("https://pro.fontawesome.com/releases/v5.9.0/webfonts/fa-regular-400.svg#fontawesome") format("svg"); unicode-range: U+F004-F005,U+F007,U+F017,U+F022,U+F024,U+F02E,U+F03E,U+F044,U+F057-F059,U+F06E,U+F070,U+F075,U+F07B-F07C,U+F080,U+F086,U+F089,U+F094,U+F09D,U+F0A0,U+F0A4-F0A7,U+F0C5,U+F0C7-F0C8,U+F0E0,U+F0EB,U+F0F3,U+F0F8,U+F0FE,U+F111,U+F118-F11A,U+F11C,U+F133,U+F144,U+F146,U+F14A,U+F14D-F14E,U+F150-F152,U+F15B-F15C,U+F164-F165,U+F185-F186,U+F191-F192,U+F1AD,U+F1C1-F1C9,U+F1CD,U+F1D8,U+F1E3,U+F1EA,U+F1F6,U+F1F9,U+F20A,U+F247-F249,U+F24D,U+F254-F25B,U+F25D,U+F267,U+F271-F274,U+F279,U+F28B,U+F28D,U+F2B5-F2B6,U+F2B9,U+F2BB,U+F2BD,U+F2C1-F2C2,U+F2D0,U+F2D2,U+F2DC,U+F2ED,U+F328,U+F358-F35B,U+F3A5,U+F3D1,U+F410,U+F4AD; } </style>    <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=GT-NS4QM92" id="google_gtagjs-js" async></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="google_gtagjs-js-after"> /* <![CDATA[ */ window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag("set","linker",{"domains":["www.nga.org"]}); gtag("js", new Date()); gtag("set", "developer_id.dZTNiMT", true); gtag("config", "GT-NS4QM92"); /* ]]> */ </script>  <link rel="https://api.w.org/" href="https://www.nga.org/wp-json/" /><link rel="EditURI" type="application/rsd+xml" title="RSD" href="https://www.nga.org/xmlrpc.php?rsd" /> <link rel='shortlink' href='https://www.nga.org/?p=7474' /> <link rel="alternate" title="oEmbed (JSON)" type="application/json+oembed" href="https://www.nga.org/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nga.org%2Fgovernor%2Fjohn-rutledge%2F" /> <link rel="alternate" title="oEmbed (XML)" type="text/xml+oembed" href="https://www.nga.org/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nga.org%2Fgovernor%2Fjohn-rutledge%2F&format=xml" /> <meta name="generator" content="Site Kit by Google 1.147.0" />   <script data-cfasync="false" data-pagespeed-no-defer type="text/javascript"> var dataLayer_content = {"pagePostType":"governor","pagePostType2":"single-governor","pagePostAuthor":"National Governors Association"}; dataLayer.push( dataLayer_content ); </script> <script data-cfasync="false"> (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= '//www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-NBSQ9FB'); </script> <script type="text/javascript"> (function($){ "use strict"; $("html").removeClass("ut-no-js").addClass("ut-js js"); $.fn.reverse = function(){ return this.pushStack(this.get().reverse(), arguments); }; $(document).ready(function(){ var $sitebody = $("#ut-sitebody"); var wait_for_images = true; var check_preloader_status = setInterval(function(){ if( typeof preloader_settings != "undefined" && !preloader_settings.loader_active && !wait_for_images){ $sitebody.addClass("ut-hero-image-preloaded"); clearInterval(check_preloader_status); } else if( typeof preloader_settings === "undefined" && !wait_for_images){ $sitebody.addClass("ut-hero-image-preloaded"); clearInterval( check_preloader_status); } }, 100); function start_hero_animation_process( element){ $sitebody.addClass("ut-hero-image-animated"); $(document.body).on('webkitAnimationStart mozAnimationStart MSAnimationStart oanimationstart animationstart', '#ut-hero .hero-inner .ut-hero-animation-element', function(){ $('#ut-hero .hero-title').delay( 500).queue(function(){ $(this).addClass('hero-title-animated'); }); }); $(element).delay().delay( 600).queue(function(){ $('#ut-hero .ut-hero-animation-element').not('.hero-down-arrow').addClass('ut-hero-animation-element-start'); $('#ut-hero .hero-down-arrow').delay( 200).queue(function(){ $(this).addClass('ut-hero-animation-element-start'); }); }); } var $hero_image_container = $(".parallax-scroll-container", "#ut-hero"); if( $hero_image_container.length){ $hero_image_container.children('.ut-hero-image-animated').waitForImages(function(){ wait_for_images = false; }); $(document.body).on('webkitAnimationEnd mozAnimationEnd MSAnimationEnd oanimationend animationend', '#ut-hero .parallax-scroll-container', function(){ start_hero_animation_process( this); }); } var $hero_imagefader_container = $(".ut-image-fader li", "#ut-hero"); if( $hero_imagefader_container.length){ $hero_imagefader_container.waitForImages(function(){ $sitebody.addClass("ut-hero-image-preloaded"); }); $(document.body).on('webkitAnimationEnd mozAnimationEnd MSAnimationEnd oanimationend animationend', '#ut-hero .ut-image-fader', function(){ start_hero_animation_process( this); }); } var $hero_rain_background_container = $("#ut-rain-background", "#ut-hero"); if( $hero_rain_background_container.length){ $hero_rain_background_container.waitForImages(function(){ $sitebody.addClass("ut-hero-image-preloaded"); }); $(document.body).on('webkitAnimationEnd mozAnimationEnd MSAnimationEnd oanimationend animationend', '#ut-hero canvas', function(){ console.log("finished"); start_hero_animation_process( this); }); } }); })(jQuery); </script><meta name="generator" content="Powered by WPBakery Page Builder - drag and drop page builder for WordPress."/>  <style type="text/css" id="wp-custom-css"> .barh2{font-size:1.5em; background-color:#4D4084; color:white; padding: 10px;} .barh3{font-size:1.25em; background-color:#444496; color:white; padding: 5px;} a:hover { text-decoration:underline; } .newRightColumn { border-bottom-width: 1px !important; background-color: rgba(243, 244, 245, 0.8) !important; border-bottom-color: #dddddd !important; border-bottom-style: solid !important; padding: 10px 20px 0px 20px; float:right; } .h1_white{color:#ffffff;} .blueBoxBorder{border: 1px #0a2240 solid;} .column_left_border{border-left: 1px #0a2240 solid; padding-left:10px;} .grayBackPost{ background-color: #F4F4F4; padding: 10px 10px 10px 10px; } .blueBackPost{ background-color: #0a2240; padding: 10px 10px 10px 10px; } .purpleNavBox{ background-color: #4D4084; padding: 5px; } .purpleNavInner{ background-color: #EEEEF9; padding: 10px 10px 0px 20px; border: 2px solid #4D4084; margin-top:-10px; } .whiteBackPost{ background-color: #ffffff; padding: 10px 10px 10px 10px; } .bumpBox {padding-top:10px;} .altRow {padding:10px; background-color: #F2F2F2;} .realRow {padding:10px;} .bar2_h2 {font-size:1.5em; background-color:#0A2240; color:white; padding: 10px;} .bar2_h2_alt{font-size:1.5em; background-color:#0A2240; color:white; padding: 10px; text-transform:none;} .bar2_h3 {font-size:1.5em; color:#0A2240; padding: 10px;} .bar2_h4 {font-size:1.2em; color:#0A2240; background-color: #EEEEF9; padding: 10px;} .purpleHR {height:2px;border-width:0;color:#4d4084;background-color:#4d4084;} .listCircle { list-style-type: circle; } .listBlackCircle { list-style-type: disc; } .listStyleNone { list-style-type: none; } .textTransformNone { text-transform:none;} .justifyText {text-align:justify; text-justify:inter-word;} .newImageMediumLeft {height: auto; width:100%; max-width:360px; float:left;} .newImageMediumRight {height: auto; width:100%; max-width:360px; float:right; padding-left:10px;} </style> <noscript><style type="text/css"> .wpb_animate_when_almost_visible { opacity: 1; }</style></noscript> </head> <body class="governor-template-default single single-governor postid-7474 wp-embed-responsive singular image-filters-enabled ut-vc-disabled ut-spacing-80 ut-has-page-title ut-has-scroll-top has-no-hero ut-bklyn-multisite group-blog wpb-js-composer js-comp-ver-5.6 vc_responsive">  <div class="site">  <header class="site-topbar " role="banner" aria-label="site navigation"> <div class="site-topbar__container"> <div class="site-topbar__container__left"> <a href="https://www.nga.org" class="logo__link">  <img src="https://www.nga.org/wp-content/themes/nga/images/branding/logo.svg" alt="National Governors Association" class="logo" /> </a> </div> <nav class="site-topbar__container__right"> <div class="menu-main-container"><ul id="menu-main" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-360" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-home menu-item-360"><a href="https://www.nga.org/">Home</a></li> <li id="menu-item-1599" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-1599 current_page_parent"><a href="https://www.nga.org/governors/" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false">Governors</a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li id="menu-item-1833" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-1833 current_page_parent"><a href="https://www.nga.org/governors/">Governors</a></li> <li id="menu-item-2104" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-2104"><a href="https://www.nga.org/governors/ngaleadership/">NGA Leadership</a></li> <li id="menu-item-63588" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-63588"><a href="https://www.nga.org/governors/nga-chairs/">Past Chairs</a></li> <li id="menu-item-45608" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-45608"><a href="https://www.nga.org/former-governors/">Former Governors</a></li> <li id="menu-item-1726" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-1726"><a href="https://www.nga.org/governors/spouses/">First Spouses</a></li> <li id="menu-item-9756" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-9756"><a href="https://www.nga.org/cog/">Council of Governors</a></li> <li id="menu-item-45543" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-45543"><a href="https://www.nga.org/governors/elections/">Gubernatorial Elections</a></li> <li id="menu-item-10157" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-10157"><a href="https://www.nga.org/governors/office-functions/">Governors’ Office Functions</a></li> <li id="menu-item-10158" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-10158"><a href="https://www.nga.org/governors/powers-and-authority/">Governors’ Powers & Authority</a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-604" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-604"><a href="https://www.nga.org/bestpractices/" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false">NGA Center</a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li id="menu-item-29458" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-29458"><a href="https://www.nga.org/bestpractices/">NGA Center for Best Practices</a></li> <li id="menu-item-45192" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-has-children menu-item-45192"><a href="https://www.nga.org/bestpractices/#programs" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false">Program Areas</a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li id="menu-item-45193" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-45193"><a href="https://www.nga.org/bestpractices/children-and-families/">Children and Families</a></li> <li id="menu-item-45194" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-45194"><a href="https://www.nga.org/bestpractices/energy/">Energy & Environment</a></li> <li id="menu-item-45201" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-45201"><a href="https://www.nga.org/bestpractices/health/">Health</a></li> <li id="menu-item-45203" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-45203"><a href="https://www.nga.org/bestpractices/homeland-security/">Homeland Security & Cybersecurity</a></li> <li id="menu-item-45202" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-45202"><a href="https://www.nga.org/bestpractices/infrastructure/">Infrastructure</a></li> <li id="menu-item-45196" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-45196"><a href="https://www.nga.org/bestpractices/k-12-education/">K-12 Education</a></li> <li id="menu-item-49794" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-49794"><a href="https://www.nga.org/land-management-agriculture-and-housing/">Land Management, Agriculture and Housing</a></li> <li id="menu-item-45197" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-45197"><a href="https://www.nga.org/bestpractices/post-secondary-education/">Postsecondary Education</a></li> <li id="menu-item-45198" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-45198"><a href="https://www.nga.org/bestpractices/public-safety-legal-counsel/">Public Safety and Legal Counsels</a></li> <li id="menu-item-45199" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-45199"><a href="https://www.nga.org/bestpractices/workforce-development-economic-policy/">Workforce Development & Economic Policy</a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-29443" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-29443"><a href="https://www.nga.org/library/?tx_category=projects">Projects</a></li> <li id="menu-item-1939" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-1939"><a href="https://www.nga.org/publications/">Publications</a></li> <li id="menu-item-9143" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-9143"><a href="https://www.nga.org/webinars/">Webinars</a></li> <li id="menu-item-1940" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-1940"><a href="https://www.nga.org/meetings/">Meeting Materials</a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-710" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-710"><a href="https://www.nga.org/advocacy/" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false">Government Relations</a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li id="menu-item-23010" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-23010"><a href="https://www.nga.org/advocacy/">Government Relations Homepage</a></li> <li id="menu-item-35025" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-35025"><a href="https://www.nga.org/advocacy/library/">Advocacy Communications</a></li> <li id="menu-item-1837" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-1837"><a href="https://www.nga.org/advocacy/nga-committees/">NGA Committees, Task Forces & Council of Governors</a></li> <li id="menu-item-2105" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-2105"><a href="https://www.nga.org/governors/ngaleadership/">NGA Leadership</a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-23253" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-23253"><a href="https://www.nga.org/newsroom/">News</a></li> <li id="menu-item-28642" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-28642"><a href="https://www.nga.org/membership/">Membership</a></li> <li id="menu-item-1707" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-1707"><a href="https://www.nga.org/about/" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false">About</a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li id="menu-item-30068" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-30068"><a href="https://www.nga.org/library/">NGA Issue Library</a></li> <li id="menu-item-1845" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-1845"><a href="https://www.nga.org/about/meetings/">NGA Meetings</a></li> <li id="menu-item-1257" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-1257"><a href="https://www.nga.org/about/ngapartners/">NGA Partners</a></li> <li id="menu-item-1016" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-1016"><a href="https://www.nga.org/about/staff-directory/">Staff Directory</a></li> <li id="menu-item-2245" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-2245"><a href="https://www.nga.org/about/careers/">Careers at NGA</a></li> <li id="menu-item-42640" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-42640"><a href="https://www.nga.org/updates/state-government-jobs/">State Government Careers</a></li> <li id="menu-item-323" class="contact-us menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-323"><a href="https://www.nga.org/about/#contact-section">Contact</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul></div> </nav> <div class="site-topbar__search"> <button type="button" name="button" class="site-topbar__search__button"> <i class="fas fa-search is-active" aria-label="open search form"></i> <i class="fas fa-times" aria-hidden="true" aria-label="close search form"></i> </button> <form role="search" method="get" class="search-form" action="https://www.nga.org/"> <input type="search" value="" name="s" class="search-form__input" placeholder="Search content by a keyword" /> <input type="submit" id="searchsubmit" value="Search" class="button--primary search-form__btn" /> </form> </div> </div> <div class="site-topbar__container-mobile"> <div class="site-topbar__container-mobile__face"> <div class="site-topbar__container__left"> <a href="https://www.nga.org" class="logo__link">  <img src="https://www.nga.org/wp-content/themes/nga/images/branding/logo.svg" alt="National Governors Association" class="logo" /> </a> </div> <div class="site-topbar__container__right"> <a href="#" role="button" class="site-topbar__mobile-trigger"> <i class="fas fa-bars"></i> <i class="fas fa-times"></i> </a> </div> </div> <nav class="site-topbar__mobile-menu"> <form role="search" method="get" class="search-form" action="https://www.nga.org/"> <input type="search" value="" name="s" class="search-form__input" placeholder="Search content by a keyword" /> <input type="submit" id="searchsubmit" value="Search" class="button--primary search-form__btn" /> </form> <div class="menu-main-container"><ul id="menu-main-1" class="menu"><li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-home menu-item-360"><a href="https://www.nga.org/">Home</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-1599 current_page_parent"><a href="https://www.nga.org/governors/" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false">Governors</a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-1833 current_page_parent"><a href="https://www.nga.org/governors/">Governors</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-2104"><a href="https://www.nga.org/governors/ngaleadership/">NGA Leadership</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-63588"><a href="https://www.nga.org/governors/nga-chairs/">Past Chairs</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-45608"><a href="https://www.nga.org/former-governors/">Former Governors</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-1726"><a href="https://www.nga.org/governors/spouses/">First Spouses</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-9756"><a href="https://www.nga.org/cog/">Council of Governors</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-45543"><a href="https://www.nga.org/governors/elections/">Gubernatorial Elections</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-10157"><a href="https://www.nga.org/governors/office-functions/">Governors’ Office Functions</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-10158"><a href="https://www.nga.org/governors/powers-and-authority/">Governors’ Powers & Authority</a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-604"><a href="https://www.nga.org/bestpractices/" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false">NGA Center</a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-29458"><a href="https://www.nga.org/bestpractices/">NGA Center for Best Practices</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-has-children menu-item-45192"><a href="https://www.nga.org/bestpractices/#programs" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false">Program Areas</a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-45193"><a href="https://www.nga.org/bestpractices/children-and-families/">Children and Families</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-45194"><a href="https://www.nga.org/bestpractices/energy/">Energy & Environment</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-45201"><a href="https://www.nga.org/bestpractices/health/">Health</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-45203"><a href="https://www.nga.org/bestpractices/homeland-security/">Homeland Security & Cybersecurity</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-45202"><a href="https://www.nga.org/bestpractices/infrastructure/">Infrastructure</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-45196"><a href="https://www.nga.org/bestpractices/k-12-education/">K-12 Education</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-49794"><a href="https://www.nga.org/land-management-agriculture-and-housing/">Land Management, Agriculture and Housing</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-45197"><a href="https://www.nga.org/bestpractices/post-secondary-education/">Postsecondary Education</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-45198"><a href="https://www.nga.org/bestpractices/public-safety-legal-counsel/">Public Safety and Legal Counsels</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-45199"><a href="https://www.nga.org/bestpractices/workforce-development-economic-policy/">Workforce Development & Economic Policy</a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-29443"><a href="https://www.nga.org/library/?tx_category=projects">Projects</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-1939"><a href="https://www.nga.org/publications/">Publications</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-9143"><a href="https://www.nga.org/webinars/">Webinars</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-1940"><a href="https://www.nga.org/meetings/">Meeting Materials</a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-710"><a href="https://www.nga.org/advocacy/" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false">Government Relations</a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-23010"><a href="https://www.nga.org/advocacy/">Government Relations Homepage</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-35025"><a href="https://www.nga.org/advocacy/library/">Advocacy Communications</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-1837"><a href="https://www.nga.org/advocacy/nga-committees/">NGA Committees, Task Forces & Council of Governors</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-2105"><a href="https://www.nga.org/governors/ngaleadership/">NGA Leadership</a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-23253"><a href="https://www.nga.org/newsroom/">News</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-28642"><a href="https://www.nga.org/membership/">Membership</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-1707"><a href="https://www.nga.org/about/" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false">About</a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-30068"><a href="https://www.nga.org/library/">NGA Issue Library</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-1845"><a href="https://www.nga.org/about/meetings/">NGA Meetings</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-1257"><a href="https://www.nga.org/about/ngapartners/">NGA Partners</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-1016"><a href="https://www.nga.org/about/staff-directory/">Staff Directory</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-2245"><a href="https://www.nga.org/about/careers/">Careers at NGA</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-42640"><a href="https://www.nga.org/updates/state-government-jobs/">State Government Careers</a></li> <li class="contact-us menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-323"><a href="https://www.nga.org/about/#contact-section">Contact</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul></div> </nav> </div> </header>  <main class="content page-publication"> <header class="page-publication__header hero-post"> <div class="hero-post__container page-publication__header__container"> <div class="hero-post__container__left"> <a href="/former-governors/south-carolina" class="hero-post__back-link" > Back to former South Carolina governors </a> <div class="hero-post__img-container hero-post__img-container--lg"> <img src="https://www.nga.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/bio_anon-10-10.jpg" alt="John Rutledge" /> </div> </div> <div class="hero-post__container__right hero-post__container__right--lg"> <h5 class="title__label">South Carolina</h5> <h1 class="title title--no-border">Gov. John Rutledge</h1> <ul class="list--horizontal"> <li class="item"> <label class="label">Terms</label> July 18, 1776 - March 7, 1778<br/>January 9, 1779 - January 31, 1782 </li> <li class="item"> <label class="label">Born</label> September 1, 1739 </li> <li class="item"> <label class="label">Passed</label> July 18, 1800 </li> <li class="item"> <label class="label">Birth State</label> South Carolina </li> <li class="item"> <label class="label">Family</label> Married Elizabeth Grimke; ten children </li> <li class="item"> <label class="label">Status</label> </li> <li class="item"> <label class="label">National Office(s) Served</label> Supreme Court </li> </ul> </div> </div> </header> <section class="page-publication__container"> <div class="page-publication__section"> <div class="page-publication__article"> <section aria-labelledby="about-governor" class="page-publication__article__section"> <h2 id="about-governor" class="title">About</h2> <p>JOHN RUTLEDGE was born near Charleston, South Carolina. He was privately tutored in his youth and then studied law at London’s Middle Temple, following which he returned to Charleston to practice law. In his early twenties he was elected to the Provincial Assembly. Although he preferred to act with restraint following passage of the Stamp Act of 1765, he did chair a committee of the Stamp Act Congress that drew up a petition to the British House of Lords. After serving in both the First and Second Continental Congresses, Rutledge helped reorganize South Carolina’s government, and in 1776 he took part in writing the state constitution and became president of the lower house of the state legislature (effectively governor), a post that he held for two years. Not long after he became governor again in 1779, Charleston was besieged by the British, which captured the American army and confiscated Rutledge’s property. Rutledge escaped to North Carolina and went about rallying forces to take back South Carolina-an effort that proved successful in 1781. In January 1782 Rutledge resigned the governorship and became a member of the lower house of the South Carolina legislature, where he served for several non-consecutive terms. He was also a delegate in 1782-83 to the Continental Congress, maintaining a moderate nationalist stance and working to protect southern interests. Once the U.S. Constitution had been signed, he was appointed an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court by George Washington. After serving for two years, he stepped down and became Chief Justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court. In 1795, Washington again appointed him to the U.S. Supreme Court-this time as Chief Justice to replace John Jay, but his appointment was rejected by the U.S. Senate based in part on his opposition to the Jay Treaty [under which Great Britain surrendered military posts in the Great Lakes region].</p> <p><i>*Note: exact date of birth is not known.</i></p> </section> <section aria-labelledby="additional-information" class="page-publication__article__section"> <h2 class="title">Source</h2> <div> <div> <div> <p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Rutledge">Wikipedia.org</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.sciway.net/hist/governors/jrutledge.html">SCIway.net</a></p> <p>The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography, Vol. 1. New York: James T. White & Company.</p> <p><a href="http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=R000552">Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress</a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div> </div> </div> <div> <div> <div id=""> <div id="">Relation to Another Governor</div> <ul> <li> <div> <div>Brother of South Carolina  <a href="https://classic.nga.org/cms/home/governors/past-governors-bios/page_south_carolina/col2-content/main-content-list/title_rutledge_edward.default.html" title="Governor Edward Rutledge">Governor Edward Rutledge</a></div> </p></div> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> <aside class="page-publication__sidebar"> <div class="page-publication__sidebar__group"> <h4 class="title">Current South Carolina Governor</h4> <ul> <li class="item"> <i class="fas fa-landmark"></i> <a href="https://www.nga.org/governor/henry-mcmaster/">Henry McMaster</a> </li> </ul> </div> </aside> </div> </section> </main> <section class="slider"> <div class="slider__container"> <div class="slider__header"> <h2 class="title">Recent South Carolina Governors</h2> </div> <div class="owl-carousel slider-posts"> <div class="slider__item"> <div class="slider__item__img"> <img src="https://www.nga.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/SC-HALEY.jpg" alt="John Rutledge" /> </div> <div class="slider__item__content"> <a href="https://www.nga.org/governor/nikki-r-haley/"> <h4 class="title">Gov. Nikki R. Haley</h4> </a> <p class="caption"> <time datetime="January 12, 2011" itemprop="termStart">January 12, 2011</time> - <time datetime="January 24, 2017" itemprop="termEnd">January 24, 2017</time><br> </p> <a href="https://www.nga.org/governor/nikki-r-haley/" class="link">Learn More</a> </div> </div> <div class="slider__item"> <div class="slider__item__img"> <img src="https://www.nga.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/MARKSANFORD.jpg" alt="John Rutledge" /> </div> <div class="slider__item__content"> <a href="https://www.nga.org/governor/mark-sanford/"> <h4 class="title">Gov. Mark Sanford</h4> </a> <p class="caption"> <time datetime="January 15, 2003" itemprop="termStart">January 15, 2003</time> - <time datetime="January 12, 2011" itemprop="termEnd">January 12, 2011</time><br> </p> <a href="https://www.nga.org/governor/mark-sanford/" class="link">Learn More</a> </div> </div> <div class="slider__item"> <div class="slider__item__img"> <img src="https://www.nga.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/JIMHODGES.jpg" alt="John Rutledge" /> </div> <div class="slider__item__content"> <a href="https://www.nga.org/governor/jim-hodges/"> <h4 class="title">Gov. Jim Hodges</h4> </a> <p class="caption"> <time datetime="January 1, 1999" itemprop="termStart">January 1, 1999</time> - <time datetime="January 15, 2003" itemprop="termEnd">January 15, 2003</time><br> </p> <a href="https://www.nga.org/governor/jim-hodges/" class="link">Learn More</a> </div> </div> <div class="slider__item"> <div class="slider__item__img"> <img src="https://www.nga.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/PGBEASLEYSC.jpg" alt="John Rutledge" /> </div> <div class="slider__item__content"> <a href="https://www.nga.org/governor/david-m-beasley/"> <h4 class="title">Gov. David M. Beasley</h4> </a> <p class="caption"> <time datetime="January 11, 1995" itemprop="termStart">January 11, 1995</time> - <time datetime="January 1, 1999" itemprop="termEnd">January 1, 1999</time><br> </p> <a href="https://www.nga.org/governor/david-m-beasley/" class="link">Learn More</a> </div> </div> <div class="slider__item"> <div class="slider__item__img"> <img src="https://www.nga.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/SC-Governor-Carroll-Campbell.jpg" alt="John Rutledge" /> </div> <div class="slider__item__content"> <a href="https://www.nga.org/governor/carroll-a-campbell/"> <h4 class="title">Gov. Carroll A. Campbell</h4> </a> <p class="caption"> <time datetime="January 14, 1987" itemprop="termStart">January 14, 1987</time> - <time datetime="January 11, 1995" itemprop="termEnd">January 11, 1995</time><br> </p> <a href="https://www.nga.org/governor/carroll-a-campbell/" class="link">Learn More</a> </div> </div> <div class="slider__item"> <div class="slider__item__img"> <img src="https://www.nga.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/PGRILEYSC.jpg" alt="John Rutledge" /> </div> <div class="slider__item__content"> <a href="https://www.nga.org/governor/richard-wilson-riley/"> <h4 class="title">Gov. Richard Wilson Riley</h4> </a> <p class="caption"> <time datetime="January 10, 1979" itemprop="termStart">January 10, 1979</time> - <time datetime="January 14, 1987" itemprop="termEnd">January 14, 1987</time><br> </p> <a href="https://www.nga.org/governor/richard-wilson-riley/" class="link">Learn More</a> </div> </div> <div class="slider__item"> <div class="slider__item__img"> <img src="https://www.nga.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/PGEDWARDSSC.jpg" alt="John Rutledge" /> </div> <div class="slider__item__content"> <a href="https://www.nga.org/governor/james-burrows-edwards/"> <h4 class="title">Gov. James Burrows Edwards</h4> </a> <p class="caption"> <time datetime="January 15, 1975" itemprop="termStart">January 15, 1975</time> - <time datetime="January 10, 1979" itemprop="termEnd">January 10, 1979</time><br> </p> <a href="https://www.nga.org/governor/james-burrows-edwards/" class="link">Learn More</a> </div> </div> <div class="slider__item"> <div class="slider__item__img"> <img src="https://www.nga.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/PGWESTSC.jpg" alt="John Rutledge" /> </div> <div class="slider__item__content"> <a href="https://www.nga.org/governor/john-carl-west/"> <h4 class="title">Gov. John Carl West</h4> </a> <p class="caption"> <time datetime="January 19, 1971" itemprop="termStart">January 19, 1971</time> - <time datetime="January 15, 1975" itemprop="termEnd">January 15, 1975</time><br> </p> <a href="https://www.nga.org/governor/john-carl-west/" class="link">Learn More</a> </div> </div> <div class="slider__item"> <div class="slider__item__img"> <img src="https://www.nga.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/PGMCNAIRSC.jpg" alt="John Rutledge" /> </div> <div class="slider__item__content"> <a href="https://www.nga.org/governor/robert-evander-mcnair/"> <h4 class="title">Gov. Robert Evander McNair</h4> </a> <p class="caption"> <time datetime="April 22, 1965" itemprop="termStart">April 22, 1965</time> - <time datetime="January 19, 1971" itemprop="termEnd">January 19, 1971</time><br> </p> <a href="https://www.nga.org/governor/robert-evander-mcnair/" class="link">Learn More</a> </div> </div> <div class="slider__item"> <div class="slider__item__img"> <img src="https://www.nga.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/bio_anon-8-1.jpg" alt="John Rutledge" /> </div> <div class="slider__item__content"> <a href="https://www.nga.org/governor/donald-stuart-russell/"> <h4 class="title">Gov. Donald Stuart Russell</h4> </a> <p class="caption"> <time datetime="January 15, 1963" itemprop="termStart">January 15, 1963</time> - <time datetime="April 22, 1965" itemprop="termEnd">April 22, 1965</time><br> </p> <a href="https://www.nga.org/governor/donald-stuart-russell/" class="link">Learn More</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="ad-gov-search"> <div class="ad-gov-search__container"> <div class="row"> <div class="ad-gov-search__content"> <h2 class="title">Search For Former Governors</h2> <p class="description">This searchable database identifies former governors by state and dates of service. The governors' biographies available on the NGA website provide summary biographical information only and are edited infrequently.</p> <a class="button--secondary button--lg" href="/former-governors/">Start Searching</a> </div> </div> <div aria-label="state map of united states" class="ad-gov-search__bg-image"></div> </div> </section> <div class="ut-scroll-up-waypoint" data-section="section-john-rutledge"></div> <footer role="contentinfo" class="site-footer"> <div class="site-footer__container"> <div class="site-footer__action"> <a id="footer-top" href="#top" class="site-footer__action__link scroll-top">  <i class="fas fa-chevron-double-up"></i> </a> </div>  <div class="site-footer__container__left"> <h5 class="title">We <i class="fas fa-heart"></i> state solutions</h5> <p class="dateline">© <time>2025</time> NGA. All rights reserved.</p> </div> <nav class="site-footer__container__right">  <ul class="site-footer__nav"> <li class="site-footer__nav__item"> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-governors-association/" target="_blank" class="site-footer__nav__link" aria-label="LinkedIn"> <i class="fab fa-linkedin"></i> </a> </li> <li class="site-footer__nav__item"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPk5LFlePYG_NVBOcjZC5Qg" target="_blank" class="site-footer__nav__link" aria-label="YouTube"> <i class="fab fa-youtube"></i> </a> </li> <li class="site-footer__nav__item"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/governors_nga/" target="_blank" class="site-footer__nav__link" aria-label="Instagram"> <i class="fab fa-instagram"></i> </a> </li> <li class="site-footer__nav__item"> <a href="https://twitter.com/NatlGovsAssoc" target="_blank" class="site-footer__nav__link" aria-label="Twitter"> <i class="fab fa-twitter-square"></i> </a> </li> <li class="site-footer__nav__item"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/nationalgovernorsassociation" target="_blank" class="site-footer__nav__link" aria-label="Facebook"> <i class="fab fa-facebook-square"></i> </a> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> </footer> </div>   <noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-NBSQ9FB" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden" aria-hidden="true"></iframe></noscript>   <aside id="moove_gdpr_cookie_info_bar" class="moove-gdpr-info-bar-hidden moove-gdpr-align-center moove-gdpr-dark-scheme gdpr_infobar_postion_bottom" aria-label="GDPR Cookie Banner" style="display: none;"> <div class="moove-gdpr-info-bar-container"> <div class="moove-gdpr-info-bar-content"> <div class="moove-gdpr-cookie-notice"> <p>This website uses cookies for functionality and helping our team understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. Please see our <a href="https://www.nga.org/about/privacy-policy/">privacy policy</a> for more information.</p> </div>  <div class="moove-gdpr-button-holder"> <button class="mgbutton moove-gdpr-infobar-allow-all gdpr-fbo-0" aria-label="OK" >OK</button> </div>  </div>  </div>  </aside>   <script type="text/javascript"> function genesisBlocksShare( url, title, w, h ){ var left = ( window.innerWidth / 2 )-( w / 2 ); var top = ( window.innerHeight / 2 )-( h / 2 ); return window.open(url, title, 'toolbar=no, location=no, directories=no, status=no, menubar=no, scrollbars=no, resizable=no, copyhistory=no, width=600, height=600, top='+top+', left='+left); } </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.nga.org/wp-includes/js/dist/hooks.min.js?ver=4d63a3d491d11ffd8ac6" id="wp-hooks-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.nga.org/wp-includes/js/dist/i18n.min.js?ver=5e580eb46a90c2b997e6" id="wp-i18n-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="wp-i18n-js-after"> /* <![CDATA[ */ wp.i18n.setLocaleData( { 'text direction\u0004ltr': [ 'ltr' ] } ); /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" id="contact-form-7-js-before"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var wpcf7 = { "api": { "root": "https:\/\/www.nga.org\/wp-json\/", "namespace": "contact-form-7\/v1" }, "cached": 1 }; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" id="pt-cv-content-views-script-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var PT_CV_PUBLIC = {"_prefix":"pt-cv-","page_to_show":"5","_nonce":"cc8e75f819","is_admin":"","is_mobile":"","ajaxurl":"https:\/\/www.nga.org\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php","lang":"","loading_image_src":"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhDwAPALMPAMrKygwMDJOTkz09PZWVla+vr3p6euTk5M7OzuXl5TMzMwAAAJmZmWZmZszMzP\/\/\/yH\/C05FVFNDQVBFMi4wAwEAAAAh+QQFCgAPACwAAAAADwAPAAAEQvDJaZaZOIcV8iQK8VRX4iTYoAwZ4iCYoAjZ4RxejhVNoT+mRGP4cyF4Pp0N98sBGIBMEMOotl6YZ3S61Bmbkm4mAgAh+QQFCgAPACwAAAAADQANAAAENPDJSRSZeA418itN8QiK8BiLITVsFiyBBIoYqnoewAD4xPw9iY4XLGYSjkQR4UAUD45DLwIAIfkEBQoADwAsAAAAAA8ACQAABC\/wyVlamTi3nSdgwFNdhEJgTJoNyoB9ISYoQmdjiZPcj7EYCAeCF1gEDo4Dz2eIAAAh+QQFCgAPACwCAAAADQANAAAEM\/DJBxiYeLKdX3IJZT1FU0iIg2RNKx3OkZVnZ98ToRD4MyiDnkAh6BkNC0MvsAj0kMpHBAAh+QQFCgAPACwGAAAACQAPAAAEMDC59KpFDll73HkAA2wVY5KgiK5b0RRoI6MuzG6EQqCDMlSGheEhUAgqgUUAFRySIgAh+QQFCgAPACwCAAIADQANAAAEM\/DJKZNLND\/kkKaHc3xk+QAMYDKsiaqmZCxGVjSFFCxB1vwy2oOgIDxuucxAMTAJFAJNBAAh+QQFCgAPACwAAAYADwAJAAAEMNAs86q1yaWwwv2Ig0jUZx3OYa4XoRAfwADXoAwfo1+CIjyFRuEho60aSNYlOPxEAAAh+QQFCgAPACwAAAIADQANAAAENPA9s4y8+IUVcqaWJ4qEQozSoAzoIyhCK2NFU2SJk0hNnyEOhKR2AzAAj4Pj4GE4W0bkJQIAOw==","is_mobile_tablet":"","sf_no_post_found":"No posts found.","lf__separator":","}; var PT_CV_PAGINATION = {"first":"\u00ab","prev":"\u2039","next":"\u203a","last":"\u00bb","goto_first":"Go to first page","goto_prev":"Go to previous page","goto_next":"Go to next page","goto_last":"Go to last page","current_page":"Current page is","goto_page":"Go to page"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" id="ut-sc-plugin-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var utShortcode = {"ajaxurl":"https:\/\/www.nga.org\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://d3js.org/d3.v5.min.js?ver=0.0.1" id="d3js-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="unitedthemes-init-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var retina_logos = {"sitelogo_retina":"","alternate_logo_retina":"","overlay_sitelogo_retina":""}; var site_settings = {"type":"multisite","siteframe_size":"40","siteframe_top":"40","siteframe_right":"40","siteframe_bottom":"40","siteframe_left":"40","navigation":"default","header_scroll_position":"floating","lg_download":"","mobile_nav_open":"","mobile_nav_is_animating":"","mobile_hero_passed":"","scrollDisabled":"","button_particle_effects":{"send":{"type":"circle","style":"fill","canvasPadding":150,"duration":1000,"easing":"easeInOutCubic"},"upload":{"type":"triangle","easing":"easeOutQuart","size":6,"particlesAmountCoefficient":4,"oscillationCoefficient ":2},"delete":{"type":"rectangle","duration":500,"easing":"easeOutQuad","direction":"top","size":8},"submit":{"direction":"right","size":4,"speed":1,"particlesAmountCoefficient":1.5,"oscillationCoefficient":1},"refresh":{"duration":1300,"easing":"easeInExpo","size":3,"speed":1,"particlesAmountCoefficient":10,"oscillationCoefficient":1},"bookmark":{"direction":"bottom","duration":1000,"easing":"easeInExpo"},"subscribe":{"type":"rectangle","style":"stroke","size":15,"duration":600,"easing":"easeOutQuad","oscillationCoefficient":5,"particlesAmountCoefficient":2,"direction":"right"},"logout":{"type":"triangle","style":"stroke","direction":"right","size":5,"duration":1400,"speed":1.5,"oscillationCoefficient":15},"addtocart":{"duration":500,"easing":"easeOutQuad","speed":0.1,"particlesAmountCoefficient":10,"oscillationCoefficient":80},"pause":{"direction":"right","size":4,"duration":1200,"easing":"easeInCubic","particlesAmountCoefficient":8,"speed":0.4,"oscillationCoefficient":1},"register":{"style":"stroke","direction":"bottom","duration":1200,"easing":"easeOutSine","speed":0.7,"oscillationCoefficient":5},"export":{"type":"triangle","easing":"easeOutSine","size":3,"duration":800,"particlesAmountCoefficient":7,"speed":3,"oscillationCoefficient":1}},"menu_locations":{"navigation":"primary","navigation-secondary":"secondary","ut-header-primary-extra-module":"header_primary","ut-header-secondary-extra-module":"header_secondary","ut-header-tertiary-extra-module":"header_tertiary"},"brooklyn_header_scroll_offset":"0"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" id="moove_gdpr_frontend-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var moove_frontend_gdpr_scripts = {"ajaxurl":"https:\/\/www.nga.org\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php","post_id":"7474","plugin_dir":"https:\/\/www.nga.org\/wp-content\/plugins\/gdpr-cookie-compliance","show_icons":"all","is_page":"","ajax_cookie_removal":"false","strict_init":"1","enabled_default":{"third_party":0,"advanced":0},"geo_location":"false","force_reload":"false","is_single":"1","hide_save_btn":"false","current_user":"0","cookie_expiration":"365","script_delay":"2000","close_btn_action":"1","close_btn_rdr":"","scripts_defined":"{\"cache\":true,\"header\":\"\",\"body\":\"\",\"footer\":\"\",\"thirdparty\":{\"header\":\"\",\"body\":\"\",\"footer\":\"\"},\"advanced\":{\"header\":\"\",\"body\":\"\",\"footer\":\"\"}}","gdpr_scor":"true","wp_lang":"","wp_consent_api":"false"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" id="moove_gdpr_frontend-js-after"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var gdpr_consent__strict = "false" var gdpr_consent__thirdparty = "false" var gdpr_consent__advanced = "false" var gdpr_consent__cookies = "" /* ]]> */ </script> <script> /(trident|msie)/i.test(navigator.userAgent)&&document.getElementById&&window.addEventListener&&window.addEventListener("hashchange",function(){var t,e=location.hash.substring(1);/^[A-z0-9_-]+$/.test(e)&&(t=document.getElementById(e))&&(/^(?:a|select|input|button|textarea)$/i.test(t.tagName)||(t.tabIndex=-1),t.focus())},!1); </script>   <div id="moove_gdpr_cookie_modal" class="gdpr_lightbox-hide" role="complementary" aria-label="GDPR Settings Screen"> <div class="moove-gdpr-modal-content moove-clearfix logo-position-left moove_gdpr_modal_theme_v1"> <button class="moove-gdpr-modal-close" aria-label="Close GDPR Cookie Settings"> <span class="gdpr-sr-only">Close GDPR Cookie Settings</span> <span class="gdpr-icon moovegdpr-arrow-close"></span> </button> <div class="moove-gdpr-modal-left-content"> <div class="moove-gdpr-company-logo-holder"> <img src="https://www.nga.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/NGA-Logo-Brandmark-Dark-265x300.png" alt="" width="265" height="300" class="img-responsive" /> </div>  <ul id="moove-gdpr-menu"> <li class="menu-item-on menu-item-privacy_overview menu-item-selected"> <button data-href="#privacy_overview" class="moove-gdpr-tab-nav" aria-label="Privacy Overview"> <span class="gdpr-nav-tab-title">Privacy Overview</span> </button> </li> <li class="menu-item-strict-necessary-cookies menu-item-off"> <button data-href="#strict-necessary-cookies" class="moove-gdpr-tab-nav" aria-label="Strictly Necessary Cookies"> <span class="gdpr-nav-tab-title">Strictly Necessary Cookies</span> </button> </li> </ul> <div class="moove-gdpr-branding-cnt"> </div>  </div>  <div class="moove-gdpr-modal-right-content"> <div class="moove-gdpr-modal-title"> </div>  <div class="main-modal-content"> <div class="moove-gdpr-tab-content"> <div id="privacy_overview" class="moove-gdpr-tab-main"> <span class="tab-title">Privacy Overview</span> <div class="moove-gdpr-tab-main-content"> <p>This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognizing you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. Please see our <a href="https://www.nga.org/about/privacy-policy/">privacy policy</a> for more information.</p> </div>  </div>  <div id="strict-necessary-cookies" class="moove-gdpr-tab-main" style="display:none"> <span class="tab-title">Strictly Necessary Cookies</span> <div class="moove-gdpr-tab-main-content"> <p>Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.</p> <div class="moove-gdpr-status-bar "> <div class="gdpr-cc-form-wrap"> <div class="gdpr-cc-form-fieldset"> <label class="cookie-switch" for="moove_gdpr_strict_cookies"> <span class="gdpr-sr-only">Enable or Disable Cookies</span> <input type="checkbox" aria-label="Strictly Necessary Cookies" value="check" name="moove_gdpr_strict_cookies" id="moove_gdpr_strict_cookies"> <span class="cookie-slider cookie-round" data-text-enable="Enabled" data-text-disabled="Disabled"></span> </label> </div>  </div>  </div>  <div class="moove-gdpr-strict-warning-message" style="margin-top: 10px;"> <p>If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.</p> </div>  </div>  </div>  </div>  </div>  <div class="moove-gdpr-modal-footer-content"> <div class="moove-gdpr-button-holder"> <button class="mgbutton moove-gdpr-modal-allow-all button-visible" aria-label="Enable All">Enable All</button> <button class="mgbutton moove-gdpr-modal-save-settings button-visible" aria-label="Save Changes">Save Changes</button> </div>  </div>  </div>  <div class="moove-clearfix"></div> </div>  </div>   <script defer src="https://www.nga.org/wp-content/cache/autoptimize/js/autoptimize_443571ebf09568a1d0e07f06cd71c30e.js"></script></body> </html>