Ruth Ann Minner was an American politician and businesswoman from Milford, in Kent County, Delaware. A member of the Democratic Party, she served as the 72nd governor of Delaware from 2001 to 2009. She previously served in the Delaware House of Representatives from 1975 to 1983, in the Delaware Senate from 1983 to 1993, and as 23rd lieutenant governor of Delaware from 1993 to 2001.