Governor of Georgia

Governor of Georgia
source
Post	Governor
Body	Georgia
Insigniasize	110
Insigniacaption	Seal of the Governor
Flagsize	110
Flagcaption	Flag of the Governor
Incumbent	Brian Kemp
Incumbentsince	January 14, 2019
Department	Government of Georgia
Style	The Honorable (formal), Governor (informal)
Residence	Georgia Governor's Mansion
Seat	Atlanta
Termlength	Four years, renewable once consecutively
Constituting instrument	Constitution of Georgia (U.S. state)
Formation	July 24, 1775 (colonial), February 12, 1777 (state)
First	Archibald Bulloch (colonial), John A. Treutlen (state)
Salary	$175,000 (2021)

Governor of Georgia. The governor is the head of government of the U.S. state of Georgia and the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces. The officeholder is responsible for implementing state laws, appointing executive officials, and preparing an annual budget for the Georgia General Assembly. The current governor is Brian Kemp, a member of the Republican Party who assumed office on January 14, 2019.

History and establishment

The office traces its origins to the colonial period, with the first President of Georgia under the Province of Georgia being Archibald Bulloch in 1775. Following the American Revolution, the first constitution of 1777 created the executive position, with John A. Treutlen becoming the inaugural governor. The office's powers have evolved significantly through subsequent constitutions, including the Constitutions of 1789, 1798, 1861, 1865, 1868, 1877, 1945, 1976, and 1983. Notably, the post-Reconstruction era saw the governorship wield considerable influence in shaping state politics, while the modern executive framework was largely solidified by the 1983 constitution ratified under Governor Joe Frank Harris.

Qualifications and election

Candidates must be at least thirty years old, a United States citizen for fifteen years, and a resident of Georgia for six years preceding the election. Governors are elected by plurality vote in a statewide election held in even-numbered years coinciding with the midterm congressional elections. The Georgia Secretary of State oversees the election process, and if no candidate receives a majority, the Georgia General Assembly decides the winner. Since the 1960s, the office has been contested primarily between the Democratic Party and the Republican Party, with notable shifts following the rise of figures like Newt Gingrich and Sonny Perdue.

Powers and duties

The governor possesses strong executive powers, including a robust veto authority over legislation passed by the Georgia General Assembly. As commander-in-chief of the Georgia State Defense Force and the Georgia Air National Guard, the governor can deploy forces during emergencies, a power exercised during events like the 1996 Summer Olympics and Hurricane Katrina. Other key duties include submitting an annual budget, appointing heads of major agencies like the Georgia Department of Transportation and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and granting pardons and reprieves upon recommendation of the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles. The governor also serves on boards such as the Georgia Board of Regents.

List of governors

Since statehood, Georgia has had over 80 governors, including several consequential historical figures. James Jackson was the first governor under the 1789 constitution, while Joseph E. Brown led the state during the American Civil War and Reconstruction era. The 20th century saw long-serving governors like Eugene Talmadge and his son Herman Talmadge, who dominated state politics for decades. More recent governors include Jimmy Carter, who later became President of the United States, Zell Miller, known for his HOPE Scholarship program, and Roy Barnes, who served prior to the election of the first Republican governor since Reconstruction, Sonny Perdue.

Succession and vacancies

The Georgia Constitution details the line of succession should the office become vacant. Immediate succession falls to the Lieutenant Governor of Georgia, as occurred when Lester Maddox succeeded Ellis Arnall. Subsequent successors include the Georgia Secretary of State, the Georgia Attorney General, and the presiding officers of the Georgia Senate and Georgia House of Representatives. A special election is required if the vacancy occurs with more than 90 days left in the term. This process was notably followed after the resignation of Governor John M. Slaton and during the Three Governors controversy of 1947 involving Ellis Arnall, Herman Talmadge, and Melvin E. Thompson.

Residences and symbols

The official residence is the Georgia Governor's Mansion, a Greek Revival-style building located in Atlanta's Buckhead district since 1968. Previous mansions included the Old Governor's Mansion in Milledgeville. The governor uses an official seal, derived from the state seal, and a distinct flag featuring the state coat of arms on a blue field. The office's traditions include delivering the annual "State of the State address" to the Georgia General Assembly in the Georgia State Capitol and participating in ceremonies like the Master Farmers Festival in Perry.