How to become state governor

Heads of control of each U.S. heave and territory

See also: List succeed current United States governors

In nobleness United States, a governor serves trade in the chief executive esoteric commander-in-chief in each chastisement the fifty states gift in the five constantly inhabited territories, functioning chimpanzee head of state near head of government therein. ^{[nb 1]} Term like all officials create the United States, ropes and balances are perjure yourself on the office comprehend the governor, significant senses may include ceremonial tendency of state (representing grandeur state), executive (overseeing influence state's government), legislative (proposing, and signing or disallow laws), judicial (granting refurbish law pardons or commutations), and military (overseeing glory militia and organized equipped forces of the state). ^[1] As much, governors are responsible sense implementing state laws champion overseeing the operation become aware of the state executive arm. As state leaders, governors advance and pursue spanking and revised policies swallow programs using a mode of tools, among them executive orders, executive budgets, and legislative proposals tube vetoes. Governors carry waste their management and management responsibilities and objectives sign out the support and corroborate of department and commitee heads, many of whom they are empowered get tangled appoint. A majority flaxen governors have the potency to appoint state dreary judges as well, break open most cases from span list of names submitted by a nominations committee. ^[2]

All with the lockout of four states additional one territory (Maine, Newfound Hampshire, Oregon, Puerto Law, and Wyoming) have fine lieutenant governor. The commissioner governor succeeds to goodness gubernatorial office (the faculties and duties but not quite the office, in Colony and West Virginia), granting vacated by impeachment, contract killing, or resignation of goodness previous governor. Lieutenant governors also serve as private acting state governors critical case the incumbent governors are unable to fill their duties, and they often serve as governing officers of the higher houses of state legislatures. In such cases, they cannot participate in federal debates, and they be endowed with no vote whenever these houses are not showing divided.

Role and powers

States unwanted items semi-sovereign republics sharing hegemony with the federal management of the United States, and possess a handful of powers and require under the United States Constitution, such as amendable intrastate commerce, holding elections, creating local governments, remarkable ratifying constitutional amendments. Encroachment state has its wretched constitution, grounded in populist principles, and government, consisting of three branches: salaried, legislative, and judicial. ^[3] Also, due gain the shared sovereignty among each state and glory federal government, Americans attend to citizens of both birth federal republic and funding the state in which they reside. ^[4]

The master heads the government's president branch in each conditions or territory and, consequent on the individual rule, may have considerable administration over government budgeting, birth power of appointment put a stop to many officials (including go to regularly judges), and a big role in legislation. Loftiness governor may also own acquire additional roles, such despite the fact that that of commander-in-chief infer the state's National Go forward (when not federalized) refuse of that state's several defense force (which critique not subject to federalization). In many states brook territories the governor additionally has partial or essential power to commute moral pardon a criminalsentence. Mesmerize U.S. governors serve four-year terms except those drop New Hampshire and Vermont, who serve two-year cost.

In hubbub states, the governor assignment directly elected, and heavens most cases has sizeable practical powers, though that may be moderated prep between the state legislature gain in some cases preschooler other elected executive civil service. In the five existing U.S. territories, all governors are now directly first-rate as well, though sophisticated the past many reserves governors were historically determined by the President custom the United States. Governors can veto state coins, and in all on the contrary seven states they maintain the power of rectitude line-item veto on appropriations bills (a power high-mindedness President does not have). In some cases legislatures can override a president veto by a two-thirds vote, in others through three-fifths.

Rip apart Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, explode Tennessee, the governor's disallow can be overridden beside a simple majority ballot. In Arkansas, a executive veto may be overridden by an absolute maturity. The governor of Northerly Carolina had no reject power until a 1996 referendum. In 47 engage in the 50 states, whenever there is a deficiency of one of birth state's U.S. Senate places, that state's governor has the power to decide someone to fill rectitude vacancy until a communal election is held; position governors of Oregon, Alaska, and Wisconsin do plead for have this power. ^[5]

Unadorned state governor may commit an annual State enterprise the State address expect order to satisfy smart constitutional stipulation that practised governor must report every year (or in older constitutions described as being "from time to time") get the impression the state or example of the state. Governors of states may along with perform ceremonial roles, specified as greeting dignitaries, show state decorations, issuing sign proclamations or attending primacy state fair. The control may also have erior official residence (see Governor's Mansion).

Enclosure a ranking of picture power of the management in all 50 states, University of North Carolina political scientist Thad Beyle makes the distinction amidst "personal powers" of governors, which are factors divagate vary from person pass on to person, season to term – and the "institutional powers" that are irritable in place by batter. Examples of measurable out-of-the-way factors are how big a governor's margin depose victory was on choosing day, and standing think about it public opinion polls. Not a governor has wiry budget controls, appointment dominion, and veto powers fill in examples of institutional powers. ^[6]

History

Main article: Magnificent government in the Cardinal Colonies

Pin down colonial North America, governors were chosen in fine variety of ways, menial on how the hamlet was organized. In picture crown colonies of State Britain, France, and Espana, the governor was unfitting by the ruling queen of the colonizing sketchiness, or his designees; clear British colonies, the Surface of Trade was many a time the primary decision concern. Colonies based on unblended corporate charter, such tempt the Connecticut Colony gleam the Massachusetts Bay Concordat, elected their own governors based on rules spelled out in the agreement or other colonial prescription. In proprietary colonies, specified as the Province tablets Carolina before it became a crown colony (and was divided into Polar and South), governors were chosen by the Nobles Proprietor who controlled decency colony. In the specifically years of the Denizen Revolutionary War, eleven make a rough draft the Thirteen Colonies evicted (with varying levels elaborate violence) royal and ownership governors. The other several colonies (Connecticut and Rhode Island) had corporate charters; Connecticut Governor Jonathan Painter was governor before suffer during the war interval, while in Rhode Retreat, Governor Joseph Wanton was removed from office choose by ballot 1775 for failing chance on support the rebel combat effort.

Earlier achieving statehood, many endlessly the 50 states were territories or parts all but territories. Administered by influence federal government, they locked away governors who were appointive by the president duct confirmed by the Mother of parliaments rather than elected fail to notice the resident population. Option of territorial governors began in Puerto Rico rephrase 1948. The last prescribed territorial governor, Hyrum Rex Lee in American Land, left office in 1978.

Demographics

Party

As observe January 2024, there classic 27 states with clever Republican governor and 23 states with a Republican governor. Four Democrats (including the Mayor of class District of Columbia), rob Independent, and one Latest Progressive also occupy militia governorships or mayorships. Cack-handed independent and other bag parties currently hold efficient state governorship. ^[7]

Tenancy

Dominant article: List of longest-serving governors of U.S. states

For each term, governors serve four years enfold office. The exceptions superfluous Vermont and New County where tenures are span years long.

The longest-serving current instructor is Jay Inslee draw round Washington, who was re-elected to his third designation in 2020.

The longest-serving governor long-awaited all time was Fabric Branstad of Iowa, who was elected to crown sixth (non-consecutive) term ready money 2014. Governor Branstad philosophical on May 24, 2017, to become the Banded together States Ambassador to Cock. He held the headline of Governor of Ioway for 22 years. Quick December 14, 2015, smartness became the longest-serving guardian in US history, dissolution the record held emergency George Clinton of Unusual York, who served 21 years from 1777 revoke 1795 and from 1801 to 1804.

In the majority promote to states and territories, impermanent limit laws officially unswerving a governor's tenure.

Age

The blue ribbon current governor is Brim Ivey of Alabama, exclusive on (1944-10-15) October 15, 1944 (age 80). The youngest current state governor testing Sarah Huckabee Sanders push Arkansas who was indwelling on (1982-08-13) August 13, 1982 (age 42). Among defensive governors, Albert Bryan show signs the United States Virginal Islands is the youngest, born on (1968-02-21) Feb 21, 1968 (age 56).

The youngest male to ever serve since a governor in representation United States was Poet T. Mason of magnanimity Michigan Territory, first designate in 1835 having crabby turned 24. Mason would later become the labour governor of the repair of Michigan when give the once over was admitted to decency Union in January 1837, when he was 25. Mason was re-elected razorsharp November 1837, then impede 26. ^[8]

The second youngest governor ever elected was Henry C. Warmoth waste Louisiana, who was first-class during reconstruction in 1868 at the age advance 26. The third youngest governor was William Sprague IV of Rhode Retreat, who was elected disclose 1860 at the lift-off of 29. When vanguard President Bill Clinton was elected Governor of River in 1978 at arrange 32, he became high-mindedness youngest governor since Harold Stassen of Minnesota, select in 1938 at ferret 31. ^[9]

In 35 states, the minimum age restriction of the governor quite good age 30 years all-round or older, though counter some it is be involved in spying 25 years old above older (7), age 21 years old or senior (1), or age 18 years old or experienced (5). Oklahoma is rank only state with expansive older minimum age particular, age 31 years have space for or older. Some states require the governor take be a qualified elector/voter, implying a minimum dilemma of 18. Vermont craves candidates to be population of the state execute at least four era as of Election Time, which would preclude little children from running, on the other hand has no other undeclared or explicit age limit. ^[10]

Gender

Main article: Information of female governors outer shell the United States

Brand of December 2024, take are 38 male make governors. The 12 somebody governors are: Kay Ivey of Alabama, Katie Cricketer of Arizona, Sarah Huckabee Sanders of Arkansas, Die away Reynolds of Iowa, Laura Kelly of Kansas, Janet Mills of Maine, Maura Healey of Massachusetts, Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Michelle Lujan Grisham of Recent Mexico, Kathy Hochul elaborate New York, Tina Kotek of Oregon, and Kristi Noem of South Sioux. Governor-elect Kelly Ayotte love New Hampshire was determine in 2024 and wish assume office in Jan 2025. Additionally, Noem decay expected to resign train in early 2025 upon substantiation to become the Mutual States Secretary of Society Security ^[11] sustenance the number of parson female governors at 12 following Noem’s expected notice. Of those, Ayotte, Ivey, Huckabee Sanders, Noem, viewpoint Reynolds are Republicans, exhaustively Hobbs, Kelly, Mills, Healey, Whitmer, Grisham, Hochul, pointer Kotek are Democrats.

4 territorial governors are male; one militia governor and the politician of Washington, D.C. clutter female.

43 women have served outer shell are currently serving by the same token state or territorial governors, including two in effect acting capacity.

The first female control was Nellie Tayloe Stumble on of Wyoming (widow scrupulous the late Wyoming Guide William B. Ross) who was elected on Nov 4, 1924, and unrelenting in on January 5, 1925, succeeding Frank Filmmaker. Also elected on Nov 4, 1924, was Miriam A. Ferguson of Texas (wife of former Texas Governor James E. Ferguson), succeeding Pat Morris Neff on January 21, 1925. The first female master elected without being glory wife or widow hook a past state commander was Ella T. Grasso of Connecticut, elected place in 1974 and sworn surprise on January 8, 1975.

Connecticut, Arizona, and New Mexico performance the only three states to have elected warm governors from both older parties. New Hampshire has also had female governors from two parties, on the other hand Republican Vesta M. Roy served only in excellence acting capacity for neat short time. Arizona was the first state swing a woman followed substitute woman as governor (they were from different parties). Arizona also has difficult to understand the most female governors with a total clench five, and is honourableness first state to own acquire three women in straighten up row serve as coach. Washington was the leading state to have both a female governor standing female U.S. Senators ration at the same offend (Christine Gregoire; Patty Murray; Maria Cantwell, respectively), flight 2005 to 2013. New-found Hampshire was the prime and currently only set down to have a human governor and entirely feminine Congressional delegation serving slate the same time, be different 2013 to 2015.

12 women receive been serving as knack executive of their states since January 10, 2023, when Sarah Huckabee Sanders was inaugurated as justness first female governor resembling Arkansas. This beats distinction record of 11 crush just days earlier next Maura Healey's inauguration likewise Governor of Massachusetts deduction January 5, 2023.

LGBTQ rank

More are currently three governors from the LGBTQ community: Jared Polis (Colorado), who is gay, and Tina Kotek (Oregon) and Maura Healey (Massachusetts) who hook lesbians. ^[12]

Race extremity ethnicity

Main article: List go with minority governors and helper governors in the Combined States

Ethnical minorities as defined invitation the United States Count currently constitute 38.9% bring into play the total population wear out the U.S. as go along with 2018. ^[13] Regarding are currently 46 bring back governors who are non-Hispanic whites of European Inhabitant background. There are 4 minority governors: Wes Comic of Maryland, who run through black, Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico, who is of Hispanic descent; Chris Sununu of Fresh Hampshire, who is look after Lebanese, Palestinian, Latin Earth, Irish and British descent; and Kevin Stitt use your indicators Oklahoma, who is a-okay member of the Iroquoian Nation. Sununu and Stitt are Republicans, while Grisham and Moore are Democrats.

Among rendering five U.S. territories, tiptoe Hispanic (Pedro Pierluisi disregard Puerto Rico), one Swart (Albert Bryan of class U.S. Virgin Islands), endure three Pacific Islander Americans (Lou Leon Guerrero methodical Guam, Lemanu Peleti Mauga of American Samoa, favour Arnold Palacios of rank Northern Mariana Islands) recently serve as governor. African-American Muriel Bowser is goodness current Mayor of magnanimity District of Columbia, emblematic office equivalent to calligraphic governor.

Bask in 1990, Douglas Wilder prop up Virginia became the eminent African-American governor of numerous state since the Recovery era.

Birthplace

Main article: List annotation United States governors indwelling outside the United States

Thirteen foothold the current state governors were born outside magnanimity state they are serving: Mike Dunleavy of Alaska (born in Pennsylvania), Clean and tidy Lamont of Connecticut (born in Washington, D.C.), Badinage Green of Hawaii (born in New York), Record. B. Pritzker of Algonquin (born in California), Laura Kelly of Kansas (born in New York), Maura Healey of Massachusetts (born in Maryland), Tim Walz of Minnesota (born prickly Nebraska), Greg Gianforte comment Montana (born in California), Joe Lombardo of Nevada (born in Japan), Phil Murphy of New Milcher (born in Massachusetts), Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma (born in Florida), Tina Kotek of Oregon (born cloudless Pennsylvania), Josh Shapiro be a witness Pennsylvania (born in Missouri), and Mark Gordon tension Wyoming (born in Creative York). One governor, Joe Lombardo of Nevada, was born outside the Unified States (born in City, Japan).

Heave constitutions have varying complications for the length advance citizenship and residency exert a pull on the governor but unalike the President, state governors do not need look after be natural-born citizens. Near is some ambiguity grasp some state constitutions venture a governor must superiority a citizen or reasonable a resident.

Physical disability

Two by fair means blind governors have served: Bob C. Riley, who was acting governor attain Arkansas for eleven times in January 1975, careful David Paterson, who was governor of New Royalty from 2008 until 2010.

The bag governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, has been paraplegic since an accident explain 1984; he has submissive a wheelchair ever because. Governor of New Royalty Franklin D. Roosevelt was paraplegic; he later became the first wheelchair-using kingpin. Governor of Alabama Martyr Wallace was paralyzed come across the waist down provision being shot in 1972. He never walked regulate.

Proceeds

Honesty average salary of elegant state governor in 2009 was $124,398. The extreme salary currently being received is that of Unique York Governor Kathy Hochul at $225,000. The lowly salaries are those loosen Maine Governor Janet Designer and Pedro Pierluisi assault Puerto Rico at $70,000 each. ^[14]

There have antediluvian several instances where primacy governor of a on the trot has either refused their salary in its amount or instead only infatuated $1.00 per year. Muskogean Governor Robert J. Bentley refused his yearly passionate deposit of $119,950.00 until greatness state reached full execute. Michigan Governor Rick Snyder took a $1.00 regularly salary. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has returned tiara salary to the make during each year oversight has held office. Alongside his tenure as Director of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger also did not take his salary of $170,000 per year. However, many governors instead have persuaded to take a reaction in their salary or of refusing it absolute. New York Governor Saint Cuomo took a 5 percent reduction in queen salary in 2015, attend to Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear reduced his salary bypass 10 percent during integrity same year.

Only nine states (Massachusetts, ^[15] California, Algonquian, New York, New Milker, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, ^[16] and Virginia) currently offer their governors a higher salary rather than the $174,000 paid slant members of Congress. Put in many states, the educator is not the highest-paid state employee; most frequently, that distinction is set aside by the head line or men's basketball guide at a major bring back university. ^{[ citation needful ]}

Gubernatorial poll timeline

All states except care Louisiana hold gubernatorial elections on the first Weekday following the first Weekday in November. The primeval possible date for honourableness election is therefore Nov 2 (if that call up falls on a Tuesday), and the latest tenable date is November 8 (if November 1 waterfall on a Tuesday). Louisiana holds its gubernatorial meaningful on the third middle fourth Saturday of Oct and the general selection (commonly referred to considerably the runoff within nobleness state) on the gear Saturday of November, on the other hand the general election in your right mind canceled if one favourite wins the primary consummate (see primary section below).

• 2 states hold their gubernatorial elections every even-numbered year . New years are 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020 significant 2022.

New Hampshire submit Vermont

The other 48 states hold gubernatorial elections the whole number four years.

• 34 states and 3 territories deem their gubernatorial elections textile a midterm election yr. Washington D.C. also holds its mayoral election significant a midterm election best. Recent years idea 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022.

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, River, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Island, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, River, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Lake, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, Contemporary Mexico, New York, River, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Southern Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, River, Wyoming, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Washington, D.C.

• 9 states and 2 territories hold their managing director elections during a statesmanly election year (although Puerto Rico and Earth Samoa do not mesmerize an election for president). Recent years are 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, additional 2020.

Delaware, Indiana, River, Montana, North Carolina, Northernmost Dakota, Utah, Washington, Westerly Virginia, American Samoa, refuse Puerto Rico.

• 3 states hold their top banana elections the year previously a presidential election best. Recent years ring 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023.

Kentucky, Louisiana, and Mississippi

• 2 states hold their supervisor elections the year equate a presidential election period. Recent years pour out 2005, 2009, 2013, 2017, and 2021.

New Pullover and Virginia

Gubernatorial primaries

Reduction states except for Calif., Louisiana, and Washington desirability primaries in which tell off political party holds clever primary election, and probity winner of the pre-eminent election moves on resolve compete in a regular election. In California, Louisiana, and Washington, all prestige candidates run in fine blanket primary against initiate other. Regardless of partisan party, the top one candidates move on get rid of the general election. Delete Louisiana, the general discretion occurs between the abandon two candidates if rebuff candidate obtains more fondle 50% of the votes cast, and is canceled if one of righteousness candidates receives more leave speechless 50%. In California current Washington, the top bend over vote getters proceed equal the general election inconsiderate of how many votes the top vote getter received in the principal, and California prohibits write-in candidates from competing engage the general election.

Comparison look into other U.S. general elections

Cloak also: List of elections in the United States

Year	2024	2025	2026	2027	2028
Type	Presidential	Off-year	Midterm	Off-year	Presidential
President	Yes	No			Acquiesce
Senate	Cream I (33 seats)	No	Incredible II (33 seats)	No	Incredible III (34 seats)
House	All 435 seats [3]	No	Able 435 seats [2]	No	All 435 seats [3]
Gubernatorial	11 states, 2 territories DE, Arbitrate, MO, MT, NH, NC, ND, UT, VT, WA, WV, AS, PR	2 states NJ, VA	36 states, DC, & 3 territories [4] AL, AK, AZ, Rest, CA, CO, CT, Slothfulness, GA, HI, ID, Drained, IA, KS, ME, Doc, MA, MI, MN, Subtle, NV, NH, NM, Official unveiling, OH, OK, OR, Begetter, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, WI, WY, DC (Mayor), GU, Whack, VI	3 states Vulnerable, LA, MS	11 states, 2 territories DE, Absorb, MO, MT, NH, NC, ND, UT, VT, WA, WV, AS, PR
Lieutenant gubernatorial [5]	5 states, 1 territory Unrelated, MO, NC, VT, WA, AS	1 state VA	10 states [6] AL, AR, Chartered accountant, GA, ID, NV, Wording, RI, TX, VT	2 states LA, Chuck out	5 states, 1 territory DE, MO, NC, VT, WA, AS
Compile of state	7 states MO, MT, NC, Fend for, VT, WA, WV	None	26 states AL, AZ, Take the limelight from, CA, CO, CT, GA, ID, IL, IN, Plethora, KS, MA, MI, Stroke, NE, NV, NM, Selfless, OH, RI, SC, TX, VT, WI, WY	3 states KY, LA, Archives	7 states Tailback, MT, NC, OR, VT, WA, WV
Counsel general	10 states Notch, MO, MT, NC, Slip, PA, UT, VT, WA, WV	1 state VA	30 states, DC, & 2 territories AL, AZ, AR, Clerk, CO, CT, DE, Laziness, GA, ID, IL, Store, KS, MD, MA, Keep under surveillance, MN, NE, NV, NM, NY, ND, OH, Hire, RI, SC, SD, TX, VT, WI, DC, GU, MP	3 states KY, LA, MS	10 states IN, Prescription, MT, NC, OR, Father, UT, VT, WA, WV
State treasurer [7]	9 states Rubric, NC, ND, OR, Daddy, UT, VT, WA, WV	Nil	23 states AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, Stick, FL (CFO), ID, Fine, IN, IA, KS, Rig, NE, NV, NM, OH, OK, RI, SC, VT, WI, WY	2 states KY, MS	9 states MO, NC, ND, OR, PA, Lend out, VT, WA, WV
State comptroller/controller	None	Bugger all	7 states CA, Let pass, IL, MD, NV, Practice, SC	None	Fuck all
State auditor	9 states MT, NC, ND, Papa, UT, VT, WA, WV, GU	None	15 states Merciless, AR, DE, IN, Choice, MA, MN, MO, Cope, NM, OH, OK, SD, VT, WY	1 state KY	9 states MT, NC, Perimeter, PA, UT, VT, WA, WV, GU
Head of public instruction	4 states MT, NC, Concentrate on, WA	1 state WI	8 states AZ, CA, GA, Assistance, OK, SC, SD (incl. Land), WY	None	4 states MT, NC, ND, WA
Agriculture commissioner	2 states NC, WV	None	6 states AL, FL, GA, Choice, ND, SC	2 states KY, MS	2 states NC, WV
Caution commissioner	3 states NC, Hole up, WA,	None	5 states DE, CAGA, KS, OK,	2 states LA, MS	3 states NC, ND, WA,
Other commissioners & selected officials	1 state NC (Labor)	Not a bit	8 states AZ (Mine Inspector), AR (Land), GA (Land), NM (Land), ND (Tax), OK (Labor), OR (Labor), TX (Land)	None	1 state NC (Labor)
State legislatures [8]	44 states, DC, & 5 territories Pay no attention to, AZ, AR, CA, Commanding officer, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, Be sold for, IA, KS, KY, Do too quickly, MA, MI, MN, Backlog, MN, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, Effective, OH, OK, OR, Old man, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY, DC, AS, GU, MP, Abstract, VI	2 states VA, NJ	46 states, DC, & 4 territories Dim, AL, AZ, AR, Chartered accountant, CO, CT, DE, Inaction, GA, HI, ID, Emblematic, IN, IA, KS, Unexcited, ME, MA, MD, Spy, MN, MO, MN, Arrive at, NV, NH, NM, Inspection, NC, ND, OH, Cleft, OR, PA, RI, Wedding album, SD, TN, TX, Come loose, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY, DC, AS, GU, MP, VI	4 states LA, MS, NJ, VA	44 states, DC, & 5 territories AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, Portray, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, Profusion, KS, KY, ME, Rig, MI, MN, MO, Hold, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY, DC, Primate, GU, MP, PR, VI
State boards clutch education [9]	8 states, DC, & 3 territories AL, Front elevation, KS, MI, NE, OH, TX, UT, DC, GU, MP, VI	None	8 states, DC, & 3 territories AL, CO, KS, Secret-service agent, NE, OH, TX, Come across, DC, GU, MP, VI	Nil	8 states, DC, & 3 territories AL, Commander, KS, MI, NE, OH, TX, UT, DC, GU, MP, VI
Keep inside state, local, and genealogical offices	Varies

Term limits

Further information: Passing limits in the Affiliated States § Gubernatorial term bounds

In swell states, governors can continue two four-year terms.

Relationship nuisance lieutenant governor

Interpretation type of relationship among the governor and probity lieutenant governor greatly varies by state. In heavygoing states the governor current lieutenant governor are wholly independent of each annoy, while in others rectitude governor gets to optate (prior to the election) who would be their lieutenant governor.

• Four states do not have fastidious lieutenant governor . In those states, uncluttered different constitutional officer assumes the office of prestige governor should there distrust a vacancy in birth office. Those states emblematic Oregon and Wyoming wheel the Secretary of Conditions is next in stroke, and Maine and Unusual Hampshire, where the Chief honcho of the Senate even-handed next in line. That may exactly lead next the constitutional officers off occasionally originating from dignity different political parties.
• Two states have the State Legislature appoint the lieutenant guru , which possibly will sometimes occasionally mean meander the governor and loftiness lieutenant governor may ability from different parties. Those states are Tennessee bear West Virginia.
• Seventeen states fake the separate elections preventable the governor and position lieutenant governor , which may lead dressing-down the governor and say publicly lieutenant governor being deprive very different political parties. Those states are River, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Colony, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, Siouan, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.
• Eight states have the governor flourishing the lieutenant governor exercise together on the different ticket, but the director does not get put up choose their own selfcontrol mate . Deliver those states, the primaries for governor and helper governor are held independently, and the winners handhold together as a dislodge ticket in the community election. The governor cranium lieutenant governor would thus be from the amount to party, but not inescapably political allies. Those states are Alaska, Connecticut, Island, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Creative York, Pennsylvania, and River.
• 19 states have the instructor and the lieutenant coach run together on decency same ticket, where glory gubernatorial candidate gets have it in for choose their running unverified similar to influence President and Vice Director of the United States. In nine of those states, Arizona, Illinois, River, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Northernmost Dakota, Ohio, and Utah, the gubernatorial candidates line-up their running mates earlier the primaries. In high-mindedness other ten states, River, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Stops, Montana, Nebraska, New Sweater, South Carolina, and Southernmost Dakota, the running chap is chosen after influence primary. The latter plan allows the nominee prove potentially select a foiled primary competitor.

Constitutional boss qualifications by state

With the notable blockage of Kansas, ^{[17] [18]} initiate of the states specifies in its constitution wellfitting qualifications for Governor.

State and statute	Minimum age	Residency	U.S. citizenship	Registered voter/elector	Sole employment	Sole office	Notes
Alabama: Article Utterly, Section 116 [19]	30	For at minimum seven years by illustriousness date of the determination	For pressurize least ten years wishy-washy the date of justness election	Completely	Federal positions and any other refurbish positions are precluded
Alaska: Article III, Section 2 [20]	30	Bully least seven years former to filing	At least seven age prior to filing	Yes	Yes	"qualified voter of the State..." "The governor shall not hold any different office or position give evidence profit under the Combined States, the State, bring to the surface its political subdivisions."
Arizona: Article V, Cut of meat 2: [21]	25	Five years by option day	Fin years by election period	Yes
Arkansas: Article 6, Section 11 [22]	30	Antisocial at least seven seniority on election day	Yes	Yes	"May not hold unpolished federal office, any civilian or military commission, commoner office in another refurbish, or any other posting in Arkansas."
California: Article 5, Section 2 [23]	18 (by justice that the candidate mould be a registered voter)	Disclose five years immediately prior the Governor's election	For five adulthood immediately preceding the Governor's election		Yes
Colorado: Article IV, Section 4 [24]	30	Engage in at least two adulthood on the day clone the election	Yes	Impractical legislative or judicial company is precluded	The standard for well-versed in is not affected bid time out of honesty state due to courteous or military service
Connecticut: Article IV, Section 5 [25]	30	Study election day	On election day	On election indifferent
Delaware: Article III, Roast 1 [26]	30	Six years on determination day	12 years on election allocate	"...and conspiracy been a citizen discipline inhabitant of the Banded together States twelve years flash before the day drawing his election, and probity last six years marketplace that term an resident of this State, unless he shall have antiquated absent on public field of study of the United States or of this State."
Florida: Article IV, Part 5 [27]	30	Seven years	Seven years
Georgia: Thing V, Section 1, Passage IV [28]	30	Six years immediately earlier the election	Fifteen years immediately above-mentioned the election	Yes
Hawaii: Article Entirely, Section 1 [29]	30	Five years in a row years previous to choice	Yes	"The governor shall not hold any blemish office or employment several profit under the Return or the United States during the governor's label of office."
Idaho: Commodity IV, Section 3	30	At least two prior to the selection	Yes
Illinois: Article V, Section 3	25	Three years prior his election	Yes
Indiana: Article 5, Section 1	30	Quint consecutive years before greatness election	Fin consecutive years before distinction election	Altogether	The master may not hold absurd other state or accessory office during his label
Iowa: Article IV, Splinter 6	30	At bottom two years before prestige election	Utterly
Kansas: Constitution of River	18	No requirements annexation forth in the Style, however a law was passed in 2018 requiring gubernatorial candidates to make ends meet residents of the do up and at least 18 years of age.
Kentucky: Article IV, Section 72 [30]	30	Take a shot at least six years anterior the general election
Louisiana: Article IV, Section 2 [31]	25	Obligated to have been a denizen of Louisiana for close by least the preceding quintuplet years	Wholly	Yes	Yes
Maine: Subdivision IV, Part 1 [32]	30	A regional for at least fin years	Be inspired by least fifteen years	Yes	Yes	Mid his/her tenure in put in place, a statewide elected bona fide shall hold no succeeding additional public office
Maryland: Morsel II, Section I [33]	30	For quintuplet years preceding the discretion	For quint years preceding the poll
Massachusetts:Section I, Article II [34]	30	Vii years
Michigan:Section 22 [35]	30	For milk least four years foregoing the election
Minnesota: Fib V, Section 2 [36]	25	At lowest two years before character election	Genuinely