List of Governors of Georgia

Governor of Georgia
Incumbent
Nathan Deal
since January 10, 2011
Residence Georgia Governor's Mansion
Term length Four years, renewable once
Inaugural holder Archibald Bulloch
Formation July 12, 1775
Salary $139,339 (2013)[1]

The Governor of Georgia is the head of the executive branch of Georgia's state government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces. The governor also has a duty to enforce state laws, the power to either veto or approve bills passed by the Georgia Legislature, and the power to convene the legislature.

The current governor is Republican Nathan Deal who assumed office on January 10, 2011.

Governors

For the period before independence, see the list of colonial governors of Georgia.

Georgia was one of the original Thirteen Colonies and ratified the Constitution of the United States on January 2, 1788.[2] Before it declared its independence, Georgia was a colony of the Kingdom of Great Britain. Like most early states, Georgia had claims to western areas, but did not cede its claims during the formation of the country like the other states. It sold this area, the Yazoo Lands, to the federal government on April 24, 1802,[3] when it was assigned to Mississippi Territory.

In Georgia's Rules and Regulations of 1776, considered by some to be the first constitution, the chief executive was a president chosen by the legislature every six months.[4] This was quickly superseded by the 1777 constitution, which called for a governor to be chosen by the legislature each year,[5] with a term limited to one year out of every three.[6] In the event of a vacancy, the president of the executive council acted as governor.[7] The governor's term was lengthened to two years in the 1789 constitution.[8] The 1798 constitution modified succession so that the president of the senate would act as governor should that office become vacant. An 1818 amendment to that constitution extended the line of succession to the speaker of the house,[9] and an 1824 amendment provided for popular election of the governor.[10]

While the 1861 secessionist constitution kept the office the same, the other constitutions surrounding the American Civil War brought lots of changes. The 1865 constitution, following Georgia's surrender, limited governors to two consecutive terms of two years each, allowing them to serve again after a gap of four years.[11] The Reconstruction constitution of 1868 increased the governor's term to four years.[12] The 1877 constitution, after local rule was re-established, returned the office to the provisions of the 1865 constitution.[13] An amendment in 1941 lengthened terms to 4 years, but governors could no longer succeed themselves, having to wait four years to serve again.[14] The constitution does not specify when terms start, only that the governor is installed at the next session of the General Assembly.[15]

The 1945 constitution provided for a lieutenant governor, to serve the same term as governor and to act as governor if that office became vacant. Should it become vacant within 30 days of the next general election, or if the governor's term would have ended within 90 days of the next election, the lieutenant governor acts out the term; otherwise, a successor is chosen in the next general election.[16] This was retained in the 1976 constitution. The current constitution of 1983 allows governors to succeed themselves once before having to wait four years to serve again,[17] and lieutenant governors now become governor in the event of a vacancy. Should the office of lieutenant governor be vacant, the speaker of the house acts as governor, and a special election to fill the office must happen in 90 days.[18]

The revolutionary government had several names and schisms, and it is unknown who should have been considered the chief executive at various times. This article ignores the Council of Safety of William Ewen in favor of Archibald Bulloch, considered by many to be the first governor of Georgia.[19][20]

Governor Term in office[lower-alpha 1] Party Election Lt. Governor[lower-alpha 2]
  Archibald Bulloch July 12, 1775
–
February 22, 1777		 None —
[lower-alpha 3][lower-alpha 4]		 Office did not exist
Button Gwinnett February 22, 1777
–
May 8, 1777		 None —
[lower-alpha 4]
John A. Treutlen May 8, 1777
–
January 10, 1778		 None —
John Houstoun January 10, 1778
–
December 26, 1778		 None —
— Vacant December 26, 1778
–
January 4, 1780		 — —
[lower-alpha 5]
  Richard Howly January 4, 1780
–
February 5, 1780		 None —
[lower-alpha 6]
George Wells February 5, 1780
–
February 15, 1780		 None —
[lower-alpha 6]
Stephen Heard February 15, 1780
–
August 1780		 None —
[lower-alpha 6]
Myrick Davies August 1780
–
August 16, 1781		 None —
[lower-alpha 6]
Nathan Brownson August 16, 1781
–
January 3, 1782		 None 1781
John Martin January 3, 1782
–
January 8, 1783		 None 1782
Lyman Hall January 8, 1783
–
January 9, 1784		 None 1783
John Houstoun January 9, 1784
–
January 6, 1785		 None 1784
Samuel Elbert January 6, 1785
–
January 9, 1786		 None 1785
Edward Telfair January 9, 1786
–
January 9, 1787		 None 1786
George Mathews January 9, 1787
–
January 26, 1788		 None 1787
George Handley January 26, 1788
–
January 7, 1789		 None 1788
George Walton January 7, 1789
–
November 11, 1789		 Democratic-Republican Jan. 1789
[lower-alpha 7]
Edward Telfair November 11, 1789
–
November 7, 1793		 Democratic-Republican Nov. 1789
[lower-alpha 7][lower-alpha 8]
1791
George Mathews November 7, 1793
–
January 15, 1796		 Democratic-Republican 1793
Jared Irwin January 15, 1796
–
January 12, 1798		 Democratic-Republican 1795
James Jackson January 12, 1798
–
March 3, 1801		 Democratic-Republican 1797
1799
[lower-alpha 9]
David Emanuel March 3, 1801
–
November 7, 1801		 Democratic-Republican
Josiah Tattnall, Sr. November 7, 1801
–
November 4, 1802		 Democratic-Republican 1801
[lower-alpha 10]
John Milledge November 4, 1802
–
September 23, 1806		 Democratic-Republican
1803
1805
[lower-alpha 11]
Jared Irwin September 23, 1806
–
November 10, 1809		 Democratic-Republican
1807
David B. Mitchell November 10, 1809
–
November 5, 1813		 Democratic-Republican 1809
1811
Peter Early November 5, 1813
–
November 20, 1815		 Democratic-Republican 1813
David B. Mitchell November 20, 1815
–
March 4, 1817		 Democratic-Republican 1815
[lower-alpha 12]
William Rabun March 4, 1817
–
October 24, 1819		 Democratic-Republican
1817
[lower-alpha 13]
Matthew Talbot October 24, 1819
–
November 5, 1819		 Democratic-Republican
John Clark November 5, 1819
–
November 7, 1823		 Democratic-Republican 1819
1821
George M. Troup November 7, 1823
–
November 7, 1827		 Democratic-Republican 1823
1825
John Forsyth November 7, 1827
–
November 4, 1829		 Democratic-Republican 1827
George R. Gilmer November 4, 1829
–
November 9, 1831		 Democratic-Republican 1829
Wilson Lumpkin November 9, 1831
–
November 4, 1835		 Union (Democratic) 1831
1833
William Schley November 4, 1835
–
November 8, 1837		 Union (Democratic) 1835
George R. Gilmer November 8, 1837
–
November 6, 1839		 State Rights (Whig) 1837
Charles J. McDonald November 6, 1839
–
November 8, 1843		 Union (Democratic) 1839
1841
George W. Crawford November 8, 1843
–
November 3, 1847		 Whig 1843
1845
George W. Towns November 3, 1847
–
November 5, 1851		 Democratic 1847
1849
Howell Cobb November 5, 1851
–
November 9, 1853		 Constitutional Union 1851
Herschel V. Johnson November 9, 1853
–
November 6, 1857		 Democratic 1853
1855
Joseph E. Brown November 6, 1857
–
June 17, 1865[lower-alpha 14]		 Democratic 1857
1859
1861
1863
[lower-alpha 15]
James Johnson June 17, 1865
–
December 14, 1865[lower-alpha 16]		 Democratic —
[lower-alpha 17]
Charles J. Jenkins December 14, 1865
–
January 13, 1868		 Democratic 1865
[lower-alpha 18]
Thomas H. Ruger January 13, 1868
–
July 4, 1868		 Military —
[lower-alpha 19]
Rufus B. Bullock July 4, 1868[lower-alpha 20]
–
October 30, 1871[lower-alpha 21]		 Republican 1868
[lower-alpha 22][lower-alpha 23]
Benjamin F. Conley October 30, 1871
–
January 12, 1872		 Republican
James M. Smith January 12, 1872
–
January 12, 1877		 Democratic
1872
Alfred H. Colquitt January 12, 1877
–
November 4, 1882		 Democratic 1876
1880
[lower-alpha 24]
Alexander H. Stephens November 4, 1882
–
March 4, 1883		 Democratic 1882
[lower-alpha 25]
James S. Boynton March 4, 1883
–
May 10, 1883		 Democratic
Henry D. McDaniel May 10, 1883
–
November 9, 1886		 Democratic
1884
John B. Gordon November 9, 1886
–
November 8, 1890		 Democratic 1886
1888
William J. Northen November 8, 1890
–
October 27, 1894		 Democratic 1890
1892
William Y. Atkinson October 27, 1894
–
October 29, 1898		 Democratic 1894
1896
Allen D. Candler October 29, 1898
–
October 25, 1902		 Democratic 1898
1900
Joseph M. Terrell October 25, 1902
–
June 29, 1907		 Democratic 1902
1904
[lower-alpha 26]
Hoke Smith June 29, 1907
–
June 26, 1909		 Democratic 1906
Joseph M. Brown June 26, 1909
–
July 1, 1911		 Democratic 1908
Hoke Smith July 1, 1911
–
November 15, 1911[lower-alpha 27]		 Democratic 1910
[lower-alpha 28]
John M. Slaton November 16, 1911
–
January 25, 1912		 Democratic
Joseph M. Brown January 25, 1912
–
June 28, 1913		 Democratic
John M. Slaton June 28, 1913
–
June 26, 1915		 Democratic 1912
Nathaniel E. Harris June 26, 1915
–
June 30, 1917		 Democratic 1914
Hugh Dorsey June 30, 1917
–
June 25, 1921		 Democratic 1916
1918
Thomas W. Hardwick June 25, 1921
–
June 30, 1923		 Democratic 1920
Clifford Walker June 30, 1923
–
June 25, 1927		 Democratic 1922
1924
Lamartine G. Hardman June 25, 1927
–
June 27, 1931		 Democratic 1926
1928
Richard Russell Jr. June 27, 1931
–
January 10, 1933		 Democratic 1930
[lower-alpha 29]
Eugene Talmadge January 10, 1933
–
January 12, 1937		 Democratic 1932
1934
Eurith D. Rivers January 12, 1937
–
January 14, 1941		 Democratic 1936
1938
Eugene Talmadge January 14, 1941
–
January 12, 1943		 Democratic 1940
Ellis Arnall January 12, 1943
–
January 14, 1947		 Democratic 1942
[lower-alpha 30]
Eugene Talmadge — Democratic 1946
[lower-alpha 31]		   Melvin E. Thompson
Herman Talmadge January 14, 1947
–
March 18, 1947		 Democratic
Melvin E. Thompson March 18, 1947
–
November 17, 1948		 Democratic Vacant
Herman Talmadge November 17, 1948
–
January 11, 1955		 Democratic Marvin Griffin
1950
Marvin Griffin January 11, 1955
–
January 13, 1959		 Democratic 1954 Ernest Vandiver
Ernest Vandiver January 13, 1959
–
January 15, 1963		 Democratic 1958 Garland T. Byrd
Carl Sanders January 15, 1963
–
January 11, 1967		 Democratic 1962 Peter Zack Geer
Lester Maddox January 11, 1967
–
January 12, 1971		 Democratic 1966 George Thornewell Smith
Jimmy Carter January 12, 1971
–
January 14, 1975		 Democratic 1970 Lester Maddox
George Busbee January 14, 1975
–
January 11, 1983		 Democratic 1974 Zell Miller
1978
Joe Frank Harris January 11, 1983
–
January 14, 1991		 Democratic 1982
1986
Zell Miller January 14, 1991
–
January 11, 1999		 Democratic 1990 Pierre Howard
1994
Roy Barnes January 11, 1999
–
January 13, 2003		 Democratic 1998 Mark Taylor[lower-alpha 32]
Sonny Perdue January 13, 2003
–
January 10, 2011		 Republican 2002
2006 Casey Cagle
Nathan Deal January 10, 2011
–
Present		 Republican 2010
2014
[lower-alpha 33]

Living former governors

There are four living former governors, the oldest being Jimmy Carter (served 1971–1975, born 1924). The governor to die most recently was Zell Miller (served 1991–1999, born 1932), on March 23, 2018, who is also the most recently serving governor to die.

GovernorGubernatorial termDate of birth (and age)
Jimmy Carter 1971–1975 October 1, 1924
Joe Frank Harris 1983–1991 February 16, 1936
Roy Barnes 1999–2003 March 11, 1948
Sonny Perdue 2003–2011 December 20, 1946

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Sourcing on term dates in the 18th century is very light and often contradictory; this article uses the dates from the National Governors Association for that period unless otherwise noted.
  2. ↑ The office of Lieutenant Governor was created in 1945, first being filled in 1947.
  3. ↑ The revolutionary government did not necessarily follow any schedule or term lengths, and thus the election year is omitted until 1781, when it becomes easier to determine.
  4. 1 2 Bulloch died in office; Gwinnett was elected by the council to succeed him.
  5. ↑ The fall of Savannah threw the government into disarray, leading to a schism which chose two separate chief executives; it was not fully resolved until early 1780.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Howly resigned to be a delegate to the Continental Congress. George Wells succeeded him, but was killed in a duel ten days later, at which time Stephen Heard took over. In August 1780, exact day unknown, Myrick Davies then became president of the council.
  7. 1 2 There is much confusion among sources as to who served as governor in 1789 and 1790. At least one contemporary source states that George Walton served from January 9, 1789, to November 9, 1790;[21] however, other sources state Telfair was elected governor in 1789, including one citing election returns from 1789.[22] Term lengths began to be two years long beginning with this term, so it further seems incorrect for a term to have ended in 1790. This article assumes Telfair's term began in 1789, as it is the most logical solution.
  8. ↑ Terms were lengthened from one to two years beginning with this term.
  9. ↑ Jackson resigned to take an elected seat in the United States Senate; as president of the senate, Emanuel filled the position for the remainder of the term.
  10. ↑ Tattnall resigned due to declining health. Milledge was chosen in a special election to fill the term.[23]
  11. ↑ Milledge resigned to take an elected seat in the United States Senate; as president of the senate, Irwin filled the position for the remainder of the term.
  12. ↑ Mitchell resigned to be agent to the Creek Indians; as president of the senate, Rabun assumed the position for the remainder of the term.
  13. ↑ Rabun died in office; as president of the senate, Talbot assumed the position for the remainder of the term.
  14. ↑ One source states Brown left office on June 25, which could make sense as it would take several days for news of Johnson's appointment to reach Georgia. However, this source has not been corroborated.[24]
  15. ↑ Brown resigned following the defeat of the Confederate States of America.
  16. ↑ At least one source states Johnson left office "five days after" Jenkins took office, which would be December 19.[25] However, more contemporary sources say he left office on December 14.[21]
  17. ↑ Johnson was a provisional governor appointed by President Andrew Johnson following the American Civil War.
  18. ↑ Jenkins was removed from office by the military because he refused to allow state funds to be used for a racially integrated state constitutional convention; the state was still under military occupation during Reconstruction.
  19. ↑ Provisional governor appointed by General George Meade.
  20. ↑ Some sources state Bullock took office on July 21, but more contemporary sources say July 4.[21]
  21. ↑ Some sources state Bullock resigned on October 23, but that is when he secretly submitted his resignation; it did not take effect until October 30.[26]
  22. ↑ Terms were lengthened from two to four years beginning with this term.
  23. ↑ Bullock resigned and fled the state to avoid impeachment; he was arrested in 1876 and found not guilty of embezzlement. As president of the senate, Conley acted as governor until a special election was held, in which Smith was elected to fill the remainder of the term.
  24. ↑ Terms were shortened from four to two years beginning with this term.
  25. ↑ Stephens died in office. As president of the senate, Boynton acted as governor until a special election was held, in which McDaniel was elected to fill the remainder of the term.
  26. ↑ The start of a gubernatorial term has always been set by the legislature, rather than the constitution; it appears the start of this term changed from the last Saturday in October to the last Saturday in June, lengthening it by eight months.
  27. ↑ Sources are split on whether Smith resigned on November 15 or November 16, with contemporary sources leaning towards November 15.[27]
  28. ↑ Smith resigned to take an elected seat in the United States Senate. As president of the senate, Slaton acted as governor until a special election was held, in which Brown was elected to fill the remainder of the term.
  29. ↑ The start of the term changed from the last Saturday in June to the second Tuesday in January, shortening this term by five months.[28]
  30. ↑ Terms were lengthened from two to four years beginning with this term.
  31. ↑ Eugene Talmadge was elected to a third term in 1946, but died before taking office. Ellis Arnall, governor at the time, claimed the office, as did Lieutenant Governor Melvin Thompson. The state legislature chose Eugene Talmadge's son, Herman Talmadge, to be governor, but during what came to be called the "Three Governors controversy", the state supreme court declared this unconstitutional and declared Thompson rightful governor, and Talmadge stepped down after 67 days. Talmadge later defeated Thompson in a special election.
  32. ↑ Represented the Democratic Party.
  33. ↑ Governor Deal's second term expires January 14, 2019; he will be term limited.

References

General

  • "Governors of Georgia". National Governors Association. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  • "The New Georgia Encyclopedia". Archived from the original on December 11, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
  • A History of Georgia, second ed. Kenneth Coleman, general editor. University of Georgia Press: 1991.
  • The Revolutionary Records of the State of Georgia Volume 1. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
Constitutions

  • "Constitution of the State of Georgia, as amended" (PDF). Secretary of State of Georgia. 1983. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
  • "Constitution of the State of Georgia, as ratified". University of Georgia. 1983. Archived from the original on November 28, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
  • "Constitution of the State of Georgia". University of Georgia. 1976. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
  • "Constitution of the State of Georgia". University of Georgia. 1945. Archived from the original on June 13, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
  • "Constitution of the State of Georgia". University of Georgia. 1877. Archived from the original on June 13, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
  • "Constitution of the State of Georgia". University of Georgia. 1868. Archived from the original on March 28, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
  • "Constitution of the State of Georgia". University of Georgia. 1865. Archived from the original on March 28, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
  • "Constitution of the State of Georgia". University of Georgia. 1861. Archived from the original on January 26, 2013. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
  • "Constitution of the State of Georgia". University of Georgia. 1798. Archived from the original on March 28, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
  • "Constitution of the State of Georgia". University of Georgia. 1789. Archived from the original on March 28, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
  • "Constitution of the State of Georgia". University of Georgia. 1777. Archived from the original on November 14, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
  • "Rules and Regulations of the Colony of Georgia". University of Georgia. 1776. Archived from the original on August 15, 2013. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
Specific
  1. ↑ "CSG Releases 2013 Governor Salaries". The Council of State Governments. June 25, 2013. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Ratification of the Constitution by the State of Georgia - January 2, 1788". The Avalon Project at Yale Law School. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Yazoo Land Fraud". Our Georgia History. Archived from the original on 2006-09-07. Retrieved 2006-08-04.
  4. ↑ 1776 Const. art. I
  5. ↑ 1777 Const. art. II
  6. ↑ 1777 Const. art. XXIII
  7. ↑ 1777 Const. art. XXIX
  8. ↑ 1789 Const. art. 2, § 1
  9. ↑ 1798 Const. Amendment 4
  10. ↑ 1798 Const. Amendment 7
  11. ↑ 1865 Const. art III, § 1
  12. ↑ 1868 Const. art. IV, § 1
  13. ↑ 1877 Const. art. 5, § 1 par. 2
  14. ↑
  15. ↑ GA Const. art V, § 1 par. 2
  16. ↑ 1945 Const. art. V, § 1 par. 7
  17. ↑ GA Const. art V, § 1 par 4
  18. ↑ GA Const. art. V, § 1 par 5
  19. ↑ "Governor Archibald Bullock". National Governors Association. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  20. ↑ "Archibald Bulloch". New Georgia Encyclopedia. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  21. 1 2 3 The Government of the People of the State of Georgia. 1896. pp. 184–186. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  22. ↑ "Georgia 1789 Governor". Tufts University. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
  23. ↑ "Georgia 1802 Governor, Special". Tufts University. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
  24. ↑ Otto, John Henry (2004). Memoirs of a Dutch Mudsill. Kent State University Press.
  25. ↑ "James Johnson". National Governors Association. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  26. ↑ "This Day in Georgia History - October 23, 1871: Rufus Bullock Resigned". Georgia Library Learning Online. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  27. ↑ Official Congressional Directory. 1919. p. 17. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  28. ↑ "Richard Brevard Russell". National Governors Association. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
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