History / Offices

Secretary of Education

16 people have held this office since Nov 30, 1979. Now: Linda McMahon R.

Holders
16
7 D · 7 R · 2 I
Longest tenure
8 years
Richard Riley
Current
19 months
Linda McMahon, since Mar 3, 2025
history/office/secretary-of-educationEvery holder, newest first
+16
1980198519901995200020052010201520202025Shirley M. Hufstedler · 1979-11-30 – 1981-01-20 · DemocratTerrel Bell · 1981-01-22 – 1984-12-31 · RepublicanWilliam J. Bennett · 1985-02-06 – 1988-09-20 · DemocratLauro Cavazos · 1988-09-20 – 1990-12-12 · DemocratLamar Alexander · 1991-03-22 – 1993-01-20 · RepublicanRichard Riley · 1993-01-21 – 2001-01-20 · DemocratRod Paige · 2001-01-20 – 2005-01-20 · RepublicanMargaret Spellings · 2005-01-20 – 2009-01-20 · RepublicanArne Duncan · 2009-01-21 – 2016-01-01 · DemocratPhil Rosenfelt · 2017-01-20 – 2017-02-07 · IndependentBetsy DeVos · 2017-02-07 – 2021-01-08 · RepublicanPhil Rosenfelt · 2021-01-20 – 2021-03-02 · IndependentMiguel Cardona · 2021-03-02 – 2025-01-20 · DemocratLinda McMahon · 2025-03-03 – present · RepublicanJohn King Jr. · 2015-01-04 – 2017-01-20 · DemocratMick Zais · 2021-01-07 – 2021-01-20 · Republican
Linda McMahon R
Mar 3, 2025 – present · 19 months · appointed by Donald Trump
Miguel Cardona D
Mar 2, 2021 – Jan 20, 2025 · 3.9 years · appointed by Joe Biden
Phil Rosenfelt I (acting)
Jan 20, 2021 – Mar 2, 2021 · 41 days
Mick Zais R (acting)
Jan 7, 2021 – Jan 20, 2021 · 13 days
Betsy DeVos R
Feb 7, 2017 – Jan 8, 2021 · 3.9 years · appointed by Donald Trump
Phil Rosenfelt I
Jan 20, 2017 – Feb 7, 2017 · 18 days · appointed by Donald Trump
John King Jr. D
Jan 4, 2015 – Jan 20, 2017 · 2 years · appointed by Barack Obama
Arne Duncan D
Jan 21, 2009 – Jan 1, 2016 · 6.9 years · appointed by Barack Obama
Margaret Spellings R
Jan 20, 2005 – Jan 20, 2009 · 4 years · appointed by George W. Bush
Rod Paige R
Jan 20, 2001 – Jan 20, 2005 · 4 years · appointed by George W. Bush
Richard Riley D
Jan 21, 1993 – Jan 20, 2001 · 8 years · appointed by Bill Clinton
Lamar Alexander R
Mar 22, 1991 – Jan 20, 1993 · 22 months · appointed by George H. W. Bush
Lauro Cavazos D
Sep 20, 1988 – Dec 12, 1990 · 2.2 years · appointed by Ronald Reagan
William J. Bennett D
Feb 6, 1985 – Sep 20, 1988 · 3.6 years · appointed by Ronald Reagan
Terrel Bell R
Jan 22, 1981 – Dec 31, 1984 · 3.9 years · appointed by Ronald Reagan
Shirley M. Hufstedler D
Nov 30, 1979 – Jan 20, 1981 · 14 months · appointed by Jimmy Carter

Dates are from Wikidata, which has gaps for some historical offices. Consecutive terms of one person are merged.