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List of governors of California

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Jerry Brown, 34th and the current 39th Governor of California

The Governor of California is the chief executive of the California state government, whose responsibilities include making annual State of the State addresses to the California State Legislature, submitting the budget, and ensuring that state laws are enforced. The governor is also the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces.

There have been 38 governors; many have been influential nationwide in areas far-flung from politics. Leland Stanford founded Stanford University in 1891. Earl Warren, later Chief Justice of the United States, won an election with the nominations of the three major parties – the only person ever to run essentially unopposed for governor of California. Ronald Reagan, who was president of the Screen Actors Guild and later President of the United States, and Arnold Schwarzenegger both came to prominence through acting. Gray Davis, the 37th governor of California, was the second governor in American history to be recalled by voters. The shortest tenure was that of Milton Latham, who served only five days before being elected by the legislature to fill a vacant United States Senate seat. The longest tenure is that of the current governor, Edmund Gerald "Jerry" Brown, Jr., who previously served as governor from 1975 to 1983 and has been serving again since 2011. He is the son of former governor Edmund Gerald "Pat" Brown, Sr. who served from 1959 to 1967.

Governors

For the governors prior to statehood, see the List of Governors of California before admission.

California was obtained by the United States in the Mexican Cession following the Mexican–American War. Unlike most other states, it was never organized as a territory, and was admitted as the 31st state on September 9, 1850.

The original California Constitution of 1849 called for elections every two years, with no set start date for the term. An amendment ratified in 1862 increased the term to four years,[1] and the 1879 constitution set the term to begin on the first Monday in January following an election. In 1990, Proposition 140 led to a constitutional amendment[2] implementing a term limit of two terms;[3] prior to this limit, only one governor, Earl Warren, served more than two terms. Jerry Brown was able to be elected to a third term in 2010 because his previous terms were before the term limit was enacted. The 1849 constitution also created the office of lieutenant governor, who, in cases of vacancy in the office of governor, becomes governor.[4] The governor and lieutenant governor are not elected on the same ticket.

Governors of the State of California
No. Portrait Governor Term in office Party Election Previous office Lt. Governor[a]
1   Peter Hardeman Burnett
(1807-11-15)November 15, 1807 – (1895-05-17)May 17, 1895
(Aged 87) 		December 20, 1849
–
January 9, 1851 		Democratic 1849
[b][c] 		5th
Supreme Judge of the Provisional Oregon Supreme Court
(1845–1846) 		  John McDougal
2 John McDougal
ca. 1818 – March 30, 1866
(Aged 48) 		January 9, 1851
–
January 8, 1852 		Democratic 1st
Lieutenant Governor of California
(1849–1851) 		David C. Broderick
(acting)
3 John Bigler
January 8, 1805 – November 29, 1871
(Aged 66) 		January 8, 1852
–
January 9, 1856 		Democratic 1851 2nd
Speaker of the California Assembly
(1850–1851) 		Samuel Purdy
1853
4 J. Neely Johnson
August 2, 1825 – August 31, 1872
(Aged 47) 		January 9, 1856
–
January 8, 1858 		American 1855 California State Assemblyman
(1852–1856) 		Robert M. Anderson
5 John B. Weller
February 22, 1812 – August 17, 1875
(Aged 63) 		January 8, 1858
–
January 9, 1860 		Democratic 1857 U.S. Senator from California
(1852–1857) 		John Walkup
6 Milton Latham
May 23, 1827 – March 4, 1882
(Aged 54) 		January 9, 1860
–
January 14, 1860 		Democratic 1859
[d] 		U.S. Representative for California's At-large
(1853–1855) 		John G. Downey
7 John G. Downey
June 24, 1827 – March 1, 1894
(Aged 66) 		January 14, 1860
–
January 10, 1862 		Democratic 6th
Lieutenant Governor of California
(1860) 		Isaac N. Quinn
(acting)
(resigned January 7, 1861)
Pablo de la Guerra
(acting)
8 Leland Stanford
March 9, 1824 – June 21, 1893
(Aged 69) 		January 10, 1862
–
December 10, 1863 		Republican 1861 1st
President of Central Pacific Railroad
(1861–1893) 		John F. Chellis
9 Frederick Low
June 30, 1828 – July 21, 1894
(Aged 66) 		December 10, 1863
–
December 5, 1867 		Republican 1863
[e] 		U.S. Representative for California's At-large
(1862–1863) 		Tim N. Machin
10 Henry Huntly Haight
May 20, 1825 – September 2, 1878
(Aged 53) 		December 5, 1867
–
December 8, 1871 		Democratic 1867 None William Holden
11 Newton Booth
December 30, 1825 – July 14, 1892
(Aged 66) 		December 8, 1871
–
February 27, 1875 		Republican 1871
[f] 		California State Senator
(1863) 		Romualdo Pacheco
12 Romualdo Pacheco
October 31, 1831 – January 23, 1899
(Aged 67) 		February 27, 1875
–
December 9, 1875 		Republican 9th
Lieutenant Governor of California
(1871–1875) 		William Irwin
(acting)
13 William Irwin
ca. 1827 – March 15, 1886
(Aged 58–59) 		December 9, 1875
–
January 8, 1880 		Democratic 1875 Acting
Lieutenant Governor of California
(1875) 		James A. Johnson
14 George Clement Perkins
August 23, 1839 – February 26, 1923
(Aged 83) 		January 8, 1880
–
January 10, 1883 		Republican 1879 California State Senator
(1869–1876) 		John Mansfield
15 George Stoneman
August 8, 1822 – September 5, 1894
(Aged 72) 		January 10, 1883
–
January 8, 1887 		Democratic 1882 Major General of the Union Army
(since 1861) 		John Daggett
16 Washington Bartlett
February 29, 1824 – September 12, 1887
(Aged 63) 		January 8, 1887
–
September 12, 1887 		Democratic 1886
[g] 		20th
Mayor of San Francisco
(1883–1887) 		Robert Waterman
17 Robert Waterman
December 15, 1826 – April 12, 1891
(Aged 64) 		September 12, 1887
–
January 8, 1891 		Republican 17th
Lieutenant Governor of California
(1887) 		Stephen M. White[h]
(acting)
18 Henry Markham
November 16, 1840 – October 9, 1923
(Aged 82) 		January 8, 1891
–
January 11, 1895 		Republican 1890 U.S. Representative for California's 1st
(1885–1887) 		John B. Reddick
19 James Budd
May 18, 1851 – July 30, 1908
(Aged 57) 		January 11, 1895
–
January 4, 1899 		Democratic 1894 U.S. Representative for California's 2nd
(1883–1885) 		Spencer G. Millard[i]
(died October 24, 1895)
William T. Jeter
20 Henry Gage
December 25, 1852 – August 28, 1924
(Aged 71) 		January 4, 1899
–
January 7, 1903 		Republican 1898 Federal prosecutor
(since 1891) 		Jacob H. Neff
21 George Pardee
July 25, 1857 – September 1, 1941
(Aged 84) 		January 7, 1903
–
January 9, 1907 		Republican 1902 29th
Mayor of Oakland
(1893–1895) 		Alden Anderson
22 James Gillett
September 20, 1860 – April 20, 1937
(Aged 76) 		January 9, 1907
–
January 3, 1911 		Republican 1906 U.S. Representative for California's 1st
(1903–1906) 		Warren R. Porter
23 Hiram Johnson
September 2, 1866 – August 6, 1945
(Aged 78) 		January 3, 1911
–
March 15, 1917 		Republican 1910 Assistant District attorney of California
(1902–1910) 		Albert Joseph Wallace
Progressive 1914
[j] 		John M. Eshleman
(died February 28, 1916)
Vacant
William Stephens[i]
(took office July 22, 1916)
24 William Stephens
December 26, 1859 – April 25, 1944
(Aged 84) 		March 15, 1917
–
January 8, 1923 		Republican 27th
Lieutenant Governor of California
(1916–1917) 		Vacant
1918 C. C. Young
25 Friend Richardson
December 1, 1865 – September 6, 1943
(Aged 77) 		January 9, 1923
–
January 4, 1927 		Republican 1922 21st
California State Treasurer
(1915–1923)
26 C. C. Young
April 28, 1869 – December 24, 1947
(Aged 78) 		January 4, 1927
–
January 6, 1931 		Republican 1926 29th
Lieutenant Governor of California
(1919–1927) 		Buron Fitts
(resigned November 30, 1928)
Vacant
H. L. Carnahan
(appointed December 4, 1928)
27 James Rolph
August 23, 1869 – June 2, 1934
(Aged 64) 		January 6, 1931
–
June 2, 1934 		Republican 1930
[k] 		30th
Mayor of San Francisco
(1912–1931) 		Frank Merriam
28 Frank Merriam
December 22, 1865 – April 25, 1955
(Aged 89) 		June 2, 1934
–
January 2, 1939 		Republican 31st
Lieutenant Governor of California
(1931–1934) 		Vacant
1934 George J. Hatfield
29 Culbert Olson
November 7, 1876 – April 13, 1962
(Aged 85) 		January 2, 1939
–
January 4, 1943 		Democratic 1938 California State Senator
(1934–1938) 		Ellis E. Patterson
30 Earl Warren
March 19, 1891 – July 9, 1974
(Aged 83) 		January 4, 1943
–
October 5, 1953 		Republican[l] 1942 20th
Attorney General of California
(1939–1943) 		Frederick F. Houser
1946 Goodwin Knight
1950
[m]
31 Goodwin Knight
December 9, 1896 – May 22, 1970
(Aged 73) 		October 5, 1953
–
January 5, 1959 		Republican 35th
Lieutenant Governor of California
(1947–1953) 		Harold J. Powers
1954
32 File:Governor Edmund G. "Pat" Brown.jpg Pat Brown
April 21, 1905 – February 16, 1996
(Aged 90) 		January 5, 1959
–
January 2, 1967 		Democratic 1958 23rd
Attorney General of California
(1951–1959) 		Glenn M. Anderson
1962
33 Ronald Reagan
February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004
(Aged 93) 		January 2, 1967
–
January 6, 1975 		Republican 1966 9th and 13th
President of the Screen Actors Guild
(1947–1952; 1959–1960) 		Robert Finch
(resigned January 8, 1969)
Edwin Reinecke
(resigned October 2, 1974)
1970
John L. Harmer
34 Jerry Brown
born
(1938-04-07) April 7, 1938 (age 86) 		January 6, 1975
–
January 3, 1983 		Democratic 1974 24th
Secretary of State of California
(1971–1975) 		Mervyn M. Dymally
1978 Michael Curb[i]
35 George Deukmejian
June 6, 1928 – May 8, 2018
(Aged 89) 		January 3, 1983
–
January 7, 1991 		Republican 1982 27th
Attorney General of California
(1979–1983) 		Leo T. McCarthy[h]
1986
36 Pete Wilson
born
(1933-08-23) August 23, 1933 (age 91) 		January 7, 1991
–
January 4, 1999 		Republican 1990 U.S. Senator from California
(1983–1991)
1994 Gray Davis[h]
37 Gray Davis
born
(1942-12-26) December 26, 1942 (age 81) 		January 4, 1999
–
November 17, 2003 		Democratic 1998 44th
Lieutenant Governor of California
(1995–1999) 		Cruz Bustamante[h]
2002
[n]
38 Arnold Schwarzenegger
born
(1947-07-30) July 30, 1947 (age 77) 		November 17, 2003
–
January 3, 2011 		Republican Chair of the President's Council on Fitness and Sports
(1990–1993)
2006 John Garamendi[h]
(resigned November 3, 2009)
Mona Pasquil[h]
(Acting)
Abel Maldonado[i][o]
(appointed April 27, 2010)
39 Jerry Brown
born
(1938-04-07) April 7, 1938 (age 86) 		January 3, 2011
–
Present 		Democratic 2010 31st
Attorney General of California
(2007–2011)
34th Governor of California
(1975–1983)
Gavin Newsom[o]
(took office January 10, 2011)
2014
[p]

Living former governors of California

There are three living former governors, the oldest being Pete Wilson, born 1933. The most recent death of a former governor was that of George Deukmejian (served 1983–1991, born June 6, 1928) on May 8, 2018. Jerry Brown, who served as governor from 1975 to 1983, is currently serving and thus is not included on this list.

Governor Years in office Date of birth (and age)
Pete Wilson 1991–1999 (1933-08-23) August 23, 1933 (age 91)
Gray Davis 1999–2003 (1942-12-26) December 26, 1942 (age 81)
Arnold Schwarzenegger 2003–2011 (1947-07-30) July 30, 1947 (age 77)

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Lieutenant governors represented the same party as their governor unless noted.
  2. ^ A civilian government was formed in late 1849 prior to official statehood, and operated as the state government for ten months before official statehood was granted.[5]
  3. ^ Burnett resigned, citing personal reasons; he was reportedly unhappy with the legislature, and wanted more time to manage his business.[6] As lieutenant governor, McDougall succeeded him.
  4. ^ Latham resigned to take an elected seat in the United States Senate; as lieutenant governor, Downey succeeded him.
  5. ^ Terms were lengthened from two to four years beginning with this term.
  6. ^ Booth resigned to take an elected seat in the United States Senate; as lieutenant governor, Pacheco succeeded him.
  7. ^ Bartlett died in office; as lieutenant governor, Waterman succeeded him.
  8. ^ a b c d e f Represented the Democratic Party (United States).
  9. ^ a b c d Represented the Republican Party (United States).
  10. ^ Johnson resigned to take an elected seat in the United States Senate; as lieutenant governor, Stephens succeeded him.
  11. ^ Rolph died in office; as lieutenant governor, Merriam succeeded him.
  12. ^ Warren ran as a Republican for his first and third terms. For his second term, he won the nomination of the Republican, Democratic, and Progressive parties.
  13. ^ Warren resigned to become Chief Justice of the United States; as lieutenant governor, Knight succeeded him.
  14. ^ Davis was recalled and Schwarzenegger chosen to replace him in a special recall election.[7]
  15. ^ a b Newsom delayed his swearing in as lieutenant governor until January 10, 2011, to remain mayor of San Francisco; Maldonado stayed on as lieutenant governor until then.[8]
  16. ^ Governor Brown's fourth term expires on January 7, 2019; he will be term limited.

References

General
  • "Governors of California". California State Library. Official Site of the State of California. Archived from the original on December 20, 2008. Retrieved July 18, 2007. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  • "California: Past Governors Bios". National Governors Association. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  • "Chronology of California's Lieutenant Governors". Office of the Lieutenant Governor. Retrieved August 10, 2007.
  • JoinCalifornia.com - Dates of birth and death for Governors
Constitutions
Specific
  1. ^ Henning, W.F. (1899). Constitution of the State of California. C.W. Palm Company. Retrieved January 18, 2008.
  2. ^ "California Ballot Propositions 1990-1999". Los Angeles County Law Library. Archived from the original on October 7, 2010. Retrieved August 2, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ CA Const. art. V, § 2
  4. ^ CA Const. art. V, § 10
  5. ^ "Peter Hardeman Burnett". National Governors Association. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  6. ^ Durham, Walter T. (1997). Volunteer Forty-niners: Tennesseans and the California Gold Rush. Vanderbilt University Press. p. 193. ISBN 0-8265-1298-4. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
  7. ^ "Statewide Special Election". California Secretary of State. Archived from the original on October 12, 2008. Retrieved October 15, 2008. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ Upton Oot, John (January 7, 2011). "Newsom's Dual Role Raises Legal Quandary". The Bay Citizen. Archived from the original on April 19, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
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