Governor of New Mexico

Governor of New Mexico
source
Post	Governor
Body	New Mexico
Insigniasize	110
Insigniacaption	Seal of the Governor
Flagsize	110
Flagcaption	Flag of the Governor
Incumbent	Michelle Lujan Grisham
Incumbentsince	January 1, 2019
Department	Government of New Mexico
Style	The Honorable (formal)
Residence	New Mexico Governor's Mansion
Seat	Santa Fe, New Mexico
Termlength	Four years, renewable once consecutively
Constituting instrument	Constitution of New Mexico
Inaugural	William C. McDonald
Formation	January 6, 1912
Salary	$110,000 (2013)
Website	[https://www.governor.state.nm.us/ Official website]

Governor of New Mexico is the head of government of the U.S. state of New Mexico and commander-in-chief of the New Mexico National Guard. The officeholder is responsible for executing state laws, appointing officials, and preparing an annual budget for the New Mexico Legislature. Since statehood in 1912, the governor has been elected to a four-year term and may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms, as established by the Constitution of New Mexico.

History

The office's origins trace to Spanish colonial rule, with Juan de Oñate serving as the first colonial governor of Santa Fe de Nuevo México in 1598. Following Mexican independence, the territory was governed by officials appointed from Mexico City, such as Albino Pérez. After the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848, New Mexico Territory was established under United States control, with military and civilian governors appointed by the President of the United States, including James S. Calhoun and Lew Wallace. The path to statehood was long, culminating on January 6, 1912, when William C. McDonald was inaugurated as the first state governor following the Enabling Act of 1910. Notable historical governors include Clyde Tingley, who oversaw New Deal projects, and Bruce King, who served three non-consecutive terms.

Powers and duties

The governor possesses strong executive powers, including veto authority over bills passed by the New Mexico Legislature, which can be overridden by a two-thirds vote in each chamber. As commander-in-chief, the governor can deploy the New Mexico National Guard during emergencies, a power exercised during events like the 1967 Albuquerque riot. The officeholder appoints heads of major state agencies, members of boards and commissions, and fills vacancies in statewide offices and the state judiciary, subject to confirmation by the New Mexico Senate. Other key duties include submitting an annual budget proposal, granting pardons and commutations, and ensuring the faithful execution of state laws through the New Mexico Department of Public Safety and other executive departments.

Election and succession

Gubernatorial elections are held every four years, coinciding with the midterm elections in even-numbered years not divisible by four. Candidates are nominated through primary elections administered by the New Mexico Secretary of State. To be eligible, a candidate must be at least thirty years old, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New Mexico for at least five years preceding the election. If the office becomes vacant, the Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico assumes the governorship, as occurred when Diane Denish succeeded Bill Richardson in 2011. Further succession falls to the Secretary of State of New Mexico, followed by the President pro tempore of the New Mexico Senate, and then the Speaker of the New Mexico House of Representatives.

List of governors

Since statehood, New Mexico has had 31 governors, including 10 Republicans and 21 Democrats. The longest-serving governor is Bruce King, who served three four-year terms in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. The first woman to hold the office was Republican Susana Martinez, elected in 2010 and serving two terms. The current governor, Democrat Michelle Lujan Grisham, was first elected in 2018 and reelected in 2022. Other notable governors include Gary Johnson, who later ran for president as a Libertarian, and Bill Richardson, who previously served as United States Secretary of Energy and United States Ambassador to the United Nations.

Residences and symbols

The official residence is the New Mexico Governor's Mansion, a Pueblo Revival-style home located at 1 Mansion Drive in Santa Fe, New Mexico, which has been used since 1954. The governor's principal office is located in the New Mexico State Capitol, commonly known as the "Roundhouse." The official seal, derived from the Great Seal of the State of New Mexico, features the American bald eagle and the state motto, "Crescit eundo." The governor's flag is a white field with the state seal centered, bordered by four red symbols inspired by the Zia sun symbol. Transportation is provided by a state-owned vehicle, and security is managed by the New Mexico State Police Executive Protection Unit.

Category:Governors of New Mexico Category:New Mexico state agencies