Most of you likely know that Fort Worth State Sen. Wendy Davis is running for governor. Most of you also likely know that the last woman elected governor was Ann Richards in 1991. She was not, however, the first woman elected to that office.
The first woman elected Texas Governor was Miriam “Ma” Freguson. It turns out her husband, James Ferguson, served as governor from 1915-1917, but he was impeached, convicted and removed from office. He was also banned from every holding public office again.
In 1924, “Ma” told Texas voters if they elected her she would follow the advice of her husband, thus Texas would get two governors for the price of one. She won the election and served her first term from 1925 to 1927.
She ran again in 1932, won a narrow victory and served until 1935.
“Ma” Ferguson died in 1961 at the age of 86.
John Pendolino
