Summary
In the United States, a governor serves as the chief executive and commander-in-chief in each of the fifty states and in the five permanently inhabited territories, functioning as head of state and head of government therein.
While like all officials in the United States, checks and balances are placed on the office of the governor, significant powers may include ceremonial head of state (representing the state), executive (overseeing the state’s government), legislative (proposing, and signing or vetoing laws), judicial (granting state law pardons or commutations), and military (overseeing the militia and organized armed forces of the state). As such, governors are responsible for implementing state laws and overseeing the operation of the state executive branch. As state leaders, governors advance and pursue new and revised policies and programs using a variety of tools, among them executive orders, executive budgets, and legislative proposals and vetoes. Governors carry out their management and leadership responsibilities and objectives with the support and assistance of department and agency heads, many of whom they are empowered to appoint. A majority of governors have the authority to appoint state court judges as well, in most cases from a list of names submitted by a nominations committee.
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The United States has 50 states and 5 territories that each elect a governor to serve as chief executive of the state or territorial government.[1] The sole federal district, the District of Columbia, elects a mayor to oversee its government in a similar manner.[2][3] In the event of a vacancy, the governor is succeeded by the second-highest-ranking state official; in 45 states and 4 territories, the lieutenant governor is the first in the line of succession.[4][5]
As of January 15, 2025, there are 27 states with Republican governors and 23 states with Democratic governors. Both Republicans and Democrats control 2 territorial governorships. Jenniffer González-Colón of Puerto Rico is a member of the New Progressive Party, although she is also affiliated with the Republican Party.[1] The federal District of Columbia is governed by a Democratic mayor.[6]
The current gubernatorial term ends and new term begins in January for most states and territories, two months after their election; in Alaska, Hawaii, North Dakota, and Kentucky, the term begins in December.[7][8] Governors serve four-year terms in most states and all territories; New Hampshire and Vermont have two-year terms for their governors. Most states and all but one territory also have term limits that generally allow for two consecutive terms to be served by a candidate. To run for governor, a candidate must generally be a U.S. citizen with prior state residence who meets the minimum age requirement—set at 30 years old in 35 states.[9]
All 55 governors are members of the National Governors Association, a non-partisan organization which represents states and territories in discussions with the federal government.[10] Other organizations for governors include the partisan Democratic Governors Association and Republican Governors Association; and the three regional associations: Midwestern, Northeastern, and Western.[11]
State governors
The longest serving incumbent U.S. governor is Greg Abbott of Texas, who took office on January 20, 2015. The most recently inaugurated governor is Bob Ferguson of Washington, who took office on January 15, 2025.[12] A total of 15 current governors previously served as lieutenant governor, while 11 previously served in the United States House of Representatives.[13] The governor’s office has term limits in 37 states and 4 territories; these terms are four years except in New Hampshire and Vermont, where governors serve two-year terms.[9][14]
The average age of governors at the time of their inauguration was about 59 years old. Alabama governor Kay Ivey (born 1944) is the oldest current governor, and Arkansas governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders (born 1982) is the youngest.[15] As of January 2025, there are 14 female state governors serving. Of the 50 state governors, 47 are non-Hispanic white, one is Hispanic (Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico), one is Black (Wes Moore of Maryland), and one is Native American (Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma).[15]
The notation “(term limits)” after the year indicates that the governor is ineligible to seek re-election in that year; the notation “(retiring)” indicates that the governor has announced his or her intention not to seek re-election at the end of the term nor to run for another office.
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Territory governors
| Territory | Image | Governor[12] | Party[12] | Born | Prior public experience | Inauguration[12] | End of term[12] | Ref. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Samoa (list) |  | Pula Nikolao Pula | Republican | December 31, 1955 | No prior public experience | January 3, 2025 | 2029 | [69] | |
| Guam (list) |  | Lou Leon Guerrero | Democratic | November 8, 1950 | Guam Legislature | January 7, 2019 | 2027 (term limits) | [70][71] | |
| Northern Mariana Islands (list) | .jpg) | Arnold Palacios | Republican | August 22, 1955 | Lieutenant Governor President of the CNMI Senate Speaker of the CNMI House | January 9, 2023 | 2027 | [72] | |
| Puerto Rico (list) | .jpg) | Jenniffer González-Colón | Republican | August 5, 1976 | U.S. House Speaker of the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico | January 2, 2025 | 2029 | [73] | |
| U.S. Virgin Islands (list) |  | Albert Bryan | Democratic | February 21, 1968 | Commissioner of the Virgin Islands Department of Labor | January 7, 2019 | 2027 (term limits) | [74][75] | |
Federal district mayor
The District of Columbia is a federal district that elects a mayor that has similar powers to those of a state or territorial governor.[2] The cities of Washington and Georgetown within the district elected their own mayors until 1871, when their governments were consolidated into a reorganized District of Columbia by a Congressional act.[76] The district’s chief executive from 1871 to 1874 was a governor appointed by the president of the United States; the office was replaced by a board of commissioners with three members appointed by the president—two residents and a representative from the United States Army Corps of Engineers.[76][77] The Board of Commissioners was originally a temporary body but was made permanent in 1878 with one member selected to serve as the Board President, in effect the city’s chief executive.[78] The system was replaced in 1967 by a single mayor–commissioner and home rule in the District of Columbia was fully restored in 1975 under a reorganized government led by an elected mayor.[79]
| Federal district | Image | Mayor | Party | Born | Prior public experience | Inauguration | End of term | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia (list) | .jpg) | Muriel Bowser | Democratic[80] | August 2, 1972[80] | D.C. Council Advisory Neighborhood Commission[80] | January 2, 2015[81] | 2027 | |
See also
- Flags of governors of the U.S. states
- List of current United States first spouses
- List of current United States governors by age
- List of current United States lieutenant governors
- List of female governors in the United States
- List of minority governors and lieutenant governors in the United States
- List of United States state legislatures
- List of U.S. state governors born outside the United States
- Seals of governors of the U.S. states
Notes
- ^ The Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party is affiliated with the national Democratic Party.[39]
- ^ In New York, gubernatorial terms begin at midnight on New Year’s Day.[50]
References
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- ^ a b Nirappil, Fenit (June 21, 2017). “Can a change of titles make DC seem more stately? Ask Gov. Bowser”. The Washington Post. Archived from the original on December 17, 2018. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ Bonessi, Dominique Maria (January 12, 2021). “Your Questions About How The National Guard Works In D.C., Answered”. NPR. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “States’ Lines of Succession of Gubernatorial Powers” (PDF). National Emergency Management Association. May 2011. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 5, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “Method of Election Data for the Office of Lieutenant Governor” (PDF) (Press release). National Lieutenant Governors Association. February 4, 2015. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 7, 2015. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ Brice-Saddler, Michael (May 5, 2021). “In nod to statehood bid, Bowser admitted to Democratic Governors Association”. The Washington Post. Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “2024 Gubernatorial Elections”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on April 4, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ Marquez, Alexandra (December 30, 2022). “They won a race for governor in 2022. Here’s when they’ll be sworn into office”. NBC News. Archived from the original on May 27, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ a b Francis, Audrey S.; Perkins, Heather M., eds. (2021). The Book of the States, Volume 53 (PDF). Lexington, Kentucky: Council of State Governments. pp. 109–111. ISBN 978-0-578-30951-4. OCLC 1312806678. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ Craig, Tim (August 3, 2019). “Sidelined on the national stage, U.S. governors are frustrated with Washington”. The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 8, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ Friedman, Lori (July 19, 2016). “The governors and the feds”. Lehigh University. Archived from the original on April 17, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i “Governors Roster 2024” (PDF). National Governors Association. February 15, 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 18, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ a b “2023 Governors’ Previous Experience Chart” (PDF). Center on the American Governor. Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 22, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “Term Limits”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on April 2, 2010. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ a b “Fast Facts About America’s Governors”. Center on the American Governor. Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University. Archived from the original on March 29, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “Gov. Kay Ivey”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “Gov. Mike Dunleavy”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “Gov. Katie Hobbs”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on December 12, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on January 27, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “Gov. Gavin Newsom”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “Gov. Jared Polis”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “Gov. Ned Lamont”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “Bethany Hall-Long”. National Governors Association. Retrieved 2025-01-12.
- ^ “Gov. Ron DeSantis”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “Gov. Brian Kemp”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “Gov. Josh Green”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “Gov. Brad Little”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “Gov. JB Pritzker”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on January 18, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “2021–2022 Illinois Blue Book: Official Portraits & Biographies” (PDF). Illinois Secretary of State. p. 21. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 25, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ “Gov. Kim Reynolds”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “Gov. Laura Kelly”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “Gov. Andy Beshear”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on January 18, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “Gov. Josh Green”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “Gov. Janet Mills”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “Gov. Wes Moore”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on January 18, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “Gov. Maura Healey”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “Gov. Gretchen Whitmer”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ Smith, Allan (April 8, 2020). “‘That woman from Michigan’: Gov. Whitmer stands out in the pandemic. Just ask Trump”. NBC News. Archived from the original on April 28, 2020. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ Erlandson, Henry (January 25, 2020). “Why is Minnesota’s Democratic Party called the DFL?”. Star Tribune. Minneapolis. Archived from the original on January 30, 2024. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ “Gov. Tim Walz”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “Gov. Tate Reeves”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “Gov. Mike Kehoe”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on January 18, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “Gov. Greg Gianforte”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “Gov. Jim Pillen”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “Gov. Joe Lombardo”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “Kelly Ayotte”. National Governors Association. Retrieved 2025-01-12.
- ^ “Gov. Phil Murphy”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ Oxford, Andrew (May 15, 2018). “Lujan Grisham offers vision for New Mexico”. The Santa Fe New Mexican. Archived from the original on May 25, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ Confessore, Nicholas (December 16, 2010). “Cuomo’s Inauguration Expected to Be Low Key”. The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “Gov. Kathy Hochul”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on May 25, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “Josh Stein”. National Governors Association. Retrieved 2025-01-02.
- ^ “Kelly Armstrong”. National Governors Association. Retrieved 2025-01-02.
- ^ “Gov. Mike DeWine”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “Gov. Kevin Stitt”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “Gov. Tina Kotek”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “Gov. Josh Shapiro”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “Gov. Dan McKee”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on January 27, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “Gov. Henry McMaster”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “Gov. Kristi Noem”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “Gov. Bill Lee”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 22, 2019. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “Gov. Greg Abbott”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on January 27, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “Gov. Spencer Cox”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ Schott, Bryan; Semerad, Tony (January 18, 2024). “Here’s why Utah Gov. Spencer Cox’s family business has become an internet powerhouse”. The Salt Lake Tribune. Archived from the original on May 25, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ “Gov. Phil Scott”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “Gov. Glenn Youngkin”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on December 13, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “Gov. Tony Evers”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “Gov. Mark Gordon”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “Pula Nikolao Pula”. National Governors Association. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
- ^ “Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 7, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “About the Governor”. Government of Guam. 11 May 2021. Archived from the original on 16 May 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ “Gov. Arnold Palacios”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “Jenniffer González-Colón”. National Governors Association. Retrieved 2025-01-02.
- ^ “Gov. Albert Bryan”. National Governors Association. Archived from the original on December 12, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ “Governor Albert Bryan Jr”. Government of the United States Virgin Islands. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ a b Governing the District of Columbia: Overview and Timeline (Report). Congressional Research Service. January 29, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
- ^ Davis, Henry E. (December 29, 1899). “The Political Development of the District of Columbia”. Proceedings of the Washington Academy of Sciences. 1: 215. JSTOR 24526084.
- ^ Frommer, Frederic (June 21, 2022). “D.C. elected its own mayors in the 1800s — until Congress stepped in”. The Washington Post. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ Martin, Douglas (October 28, 2003). “Walter Washington, 88, Former Mayor of Washington, Dies”. The Washington Post. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
- ^ a b c “People Research Service: Muriel Bowser” (PDF). National Journal. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ DeBonis, Mike; Davis, Aaron C. (January 2, 2015). “Muriel Bowser sworn in as D.C. mayor; pledges to make city healthier, safer”. The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 4, 2016. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
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