Governor of Maryland

Governor of Maryland
source
Post	Governor
Body	Maryland
Insigniasize	110
Insigniacaption	Seal of Maryland
Flagsize	110
Flagcaption	Flag of the Governor of Maryland
Incumbent	Wes Moore
Incumbentsince	January 18, 2023
Department	Government of Maryland
Style	The Honorable, Governor, (informal), His Excellency, (formal)
Residence	Government House
Seat	Annapolis
Termlength	Four years, renewable once
Constituting instrument	Constitution of Maryland
Inaugural	Thomas Johnson
Deputy	Lieutenant Governor of Maryland
Salary	$180,000 (2020)

Contents

History
Powers and duties
Election and succession
List of governors
Residences and offices
See also

Governor of Maryland. The Governor of Maryland is the head of the executive branch of the Government of Maryland and serves as the commander-in-chief of the state's militia. As the chief executive, the governor is responsible for implementing state laws, appointing officials, and preparing the annual state budget. The office, established by the Constitution of Maryland of 1776, is based in the Maryland State House in Annapolis.

History

The office of governor has its origins in the colonial Proprietary Governor appointed by the Lords Baltimore under the Province of Maryland. Following the American Revolution, the first state constitution in 1776 created the position, with Thomas Johnson becoming the inaugural officeholder. The governor's powers were initially quite limited, with significant authority vested in the General Assembly and a multi-member Governor's Council. Key historical figures include Thomas Sim Lee, who served during the Revolutionary War, and Albert C. Ritchie, a prominent Democratic governor in the early 20th century known for his advocacy of states' rights. The modern, stronger executive was shaped by the 1851 constitution and subsequent revisions, notably the 1867 constitution which remains in effect.

Powers and duties

The governor possesses broad executive powers, including the authority to appoint heads of major state departments, such as the State Police and the Department of Transportation, with the consent of the State Senate. The governor submits an annual budget to the Maryland General Assembly and has the power to veto legislation, which can be overridden by a three-fifths vote in each chamber. As commander-in-chief of the Maryland Military Department, the governor can deploy forces during emergencies, a power exercised during events like the 1968 Baltimore riots and the COVID-19 pandemic. Other duties include granting pardons and commutations, extraditing prisoners, and ensuring the faithful execution of state laws through the Attorney General's office.

Election and succession

The governor is elected by popular vote for a four-year term, coinciding with the midterm federal elections. Since a 1970 constitutional amendment, governors have been limited to two consecutive terms. Candidates for governor run on a joint ticket with a candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Maryland, an office created in 1867. If the governorship becomes vacant, the lieutenant governor ascends to the office; subsequent succession falls to the President of the Senate and then the Speaker of the House. This line was followed in 1977 when Marvin Mandel resigned and Blair Lee III assumed the office. Elections are administered by the Maryland State Board of Elections.

List of governors

Since statehood, Maryland has had over 60 governors, including several notable political figures. Spiro Agnew resigned the office in 1969 to become Vice President under Richard Nixon. Martin O'Malley served two terms before launching a bid for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination. Larry Hogan, a member of the Republican Party, was only the second governor of his party to be elected to a second term in the state's history. The current governor, Wes Moore, elected in 2022, is the first African American to hold the office and only the third Democrat elected since 1969.

Residences and offices

The official residence of the governor is Government House, a Georgian-style mansion located on State Circle in Annapolis, adjacent to the Maryland State House. The governor's primary working office is located within the State House, the oldest state capitol in continuous legislative use in the United States. The State House also houses the offices of the Lieutenant Governor of Maryland and the governor's senior staff. Ceremonial events and official functions are often held at Government House, which has been the executive residence since 1870.