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List of governors of Georgia

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Governor of Georgia
Seal of the State of Georgia
Incumbent
Nathan Deal
since January 10, 2011
ResidenceGeorgia Governor's Mansion
Term lengthFour years, renewable once
Inaugural holderWilliam Ewen
1775
FormationGeorgia State Constitution
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 current governor is Nathan Deal. Governor Deal is only the second governor of Georgia from the Republican Party since the Reconstruction era.

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first constitution, the chief executive was a president chosen by the legislature every six months.[4] This was quickly superseded by the 1777 constitution, which called for a governor to be chosen by the legislature each year,[5] with a term limited to one year out of every three.[6] In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 in favor of Archibald Bulloch, considered by many to be the first governor of Georgia.

Parties

  No party   Military   Democratic-Republican   Democratic   Whig   Republican

#[a] Picture Governor Term in office[b] Party Term[c] Lt. Governor[d]
1 rowspan="4" bgcolor=Template:Independent (United States)/meta/color|  Archibald Bulloch July 12, 1775
–
February 22, 1777 		None —
[e][f] 		Office did not exist
2 Button Gwinnett February 22, 1777
–
May 8, 1777 		None —
[f]
3 John A. Treutlen May 8, 1777
–
January 10, 1778 		None —
4 John Houstoun January 10, 1778
–
December 26, 1778 		None —
— — Interregnum December 26, 1778
–
January 4, 1780 		— —
[g]
5 rowspan="12" bgcolor=Template:Independent (United States)/meta/color|  Richard Howly January 4, 1780
–
February 5, 1780 		None —
[h]
6 George Wells February 5, 1780
–
February 15, 1780 		None —
[h]
7 Stephen Heard February 15, 1780
–
August 1780 		None —
[h]
8 Myrick Davies August 1780
–
August 16, 1781 		None —
[h]
9 Nathan Brownson August 16, 1781
–
January 3, 1782 		None 1781
10 John Martin January 3, 1782
–
January 8, 1783 		None 1782
11 Lyman Hall January 8, 1783
–
January 9, 1784 		None 1783
12 John Houstoun January 9, 1784
–
January 6, 1785 		None 1784
13 Samuel Elbert January 6, 1785
–
January 9, 1786 		None 1785
14 Edward Telfair January 9, 1786
–
January 9, 1787 		None 1786
15 George Mathews January 9, 1787
–
January 26, 1788 		None 1787
16 George Handley January 26, 1788
–
January 7, 1789 		None 1788
17 rowspan="27" bgcolor=Template:Democratic-Republican Party/meta/color| George Walton January 7, 1789
–
November 11, 1789 		Democratic-Republican 1st 1789
[i]
18 Edward Telfair November 11, 1789
–
November 7, 1793 		Democratic-Republican 2nd 1789
[i][j]
1791
19 George Mathews November 7, 1793
–
January 15, 1796 		Democratic-Republican 1793
20 Jared Irwin January 15, 1796
–
January 12, 1798 		Democratic-Republican 1795
21 James Jackson January 12, 1798
–
March 3, 1801 		Democratic-Republican 1797
1799
[k]
22 David Emanuel March 3, 1801
–
November 7, 1801 		Democratic-Republican
23 Josiah Tattnall, Sr. November 7, 1801
–
November 4, 1802 		Democratic-Republican 1801
[l]
24 John Milledge November 4, 1802
–
September 23, 1806 		Democratic-Republican
1803
1805
[m]
25 Jared Irwin September 23, 1806
–
November 10, 1809 		Democratic-Republican
1807
26 David B. Mitchell November 10, 1809
–
November 5, 1813 		Democratic-Republican 1809
1811
27 Peter Early November 5, 1813
–
November 20, 1815 		Democratic-Republican 1813
28 David B. Mitchell November 20, 1815
–
March 4, 1817 		Democratic-Republican 1815
[n]
29 William Rabun March 4, 1817
–
October 24, 1819 		Democratic-Republican
1817
[o]
30 Matthew Talbot October 24, 1819
–
November 5, 1819 		Democratic-Republican
31 John Clark November 5, 1819
–
November 7, 1823 		Democratic-Republican 1819
1821
32 George M. Troup November 7, 1823
–
November 7, 1827 		Democratic-Republican 1823
1825
33 John Forsyth November 7, 1827
–
November 4, 1829 		Democratic-Republican 1827
34 George R. Gilmer November 4, 1829
–
November 9, 1831 		Democratic-Republican 1829
35 rowspan="3" bgcolor=Template:Democratic Party (United States)/meta/color| Wilson Lumpkin November 9, 1831
–
November 4, 1835 		Union (Democratic) 1831
1833
36 William Schley November 4, 1835
–
November 8, 1837 		Union (Democratic) 1835
37 bgcolor=Template:Whig Party (United States)/meta/color| George R. Gilmer November 8, 1837
–
November 6, 1839 		State Rights (Whig) 1837
38 rowspan="2" bgcolor=Template:Democratic Party (United States)/meta/color| Charles J. McDonald November 6, 1839
–
November 8, 1843 		Union (Democratic) 1839
1841
39 rowspan="2" bgcolor=Template:Whig Party (United States)/meta/color| George W. Crawford November 8, 1843
–
November 3, 1847 		Whig 1843
1845
40 rowspan="2" bgcolor=Template:Democratic Party (United States)/meta/color| George W. Towns November 3, 1847
–
November 5, 1851 		Democratic 1847
1849
41 bgcolor=Template:Constitutional Union Party (United States)/meta/color| Howell Cobb November 5, 1851
–
November 9, 1853 		Constitutional Union 1851
42 rowspan="8" bgcolor=Template:Democratic Party (United States)/meta/color| Herschel V. Johnson November 9, 1853
–
November 6, 1857 		Democratic 1853
1855
43 Joseph E. Brown November 6, 1857
–
June 17, 1865 		Democratic 1857
1859
1861
1863
[p]
44 James Johnson June 17, 1865
–
December 14, 1865[q] 		Democratic
45 Charles J. Jenkins December 14, 1865
–
January 13, 1868 		Democratic 1865
[r]
— Thomas H. Ruger January 13, 1868
–
July 4, 1868 		Military —
[s]
46 rowspan="2" bgcolor=Template:Republican Party (United States)/meta/color| Rufus B. Bullock July 4, 1868[t]
–
October 30, 1871[u] 		Republican 1868
[v]
47 Benjamin F. Conley October 30, 1871
–
January 12, 1872 		Republican
48 rowspan="56" bgcolor=Template:Democratic Party (United States)/meta/color| James M. Smith January 12, 1872
–
January 12, 1877 		Democratic
1872
49 Alfred H. Colquitt January 12, 1877
–
November 4, 1882 		Democratic 1876
1880
[w]
50 Alexander H. Stephens November 4, 1882
–
March 4, 1883 		Democratic 1882
[x]
51 James S. Boynton March 4, 1883
–
May 10, 1883 		Democratic
52 Henry D. McDaniel May 10, 1883
–
November 9, 1886 		Democratic
1884
53 John B. Gordon November 9, 1886
–
November 8, 1890 		Democratic 1886
1888
54 William J. Northen November 8, 1890
–
October 27, 1894 		Democratic 1890
1892
55 William Y. Atkinson October 27, 1894
–
October 29, 1898 		Democratic 1894
1896
56 Allen D. Candler October 29, 1898
–
October 25, 1902 		Democratic 1898
1900
57 Joseph M. Terrell October 25, 1902
–
June 29, 1907 		Democratic 1902
1904
[y]
58 Hoke Smith June 29, 1907
–
June 26, 1909 		Democratic 1906
59 Joseph M. Brown June 26, 1909
–
July 1, 1911 		Democratic 1908
60 Hoke Smith July 1, 1911
–
November 15, 1911[z] 		Democratic 1910
[aa]
61 John M. Slaton November 16, 1911
–
January 25, 1912 		Democratic
62 Joseph M. Brown January 25, 1912
–
June 28, 1913 		Democratic
63 John M. Slaton June 28, 1913
–
June 26, 1915 		Democratic 1912
64 Nathaniel E. Harris June 26, 1915
–
June 30, 1917 		Democratic 1914
65 Hugh Dorsey June 30, 1917
–
June 25, 1921 		Democratic 1916
1918
66 Thomas W. Hardwick June 25, 1921
–
June 30, 1923 		Democratic 1920
67 Clifford Walker June 30, 1923
–
June 25, 1927 		Democratic 1922
1924
68 Lamartine G. Hardman June 25, 1927
–
June 27, 1931 		Democratic 1926
1928
69 Richard Russell Jr. June 27, 1931
–
January 10, 1933 		Democratic 1930
[ab]
70 Eugene Talmadge January 10, 1933
–
January 12, 1937 		Democratic 1932
1934
71 Eurith D. Rivers January 12, 1937
–
January 14, 1941 		Democratic 1936
1938
72 Eugene Talmadge January 14, 1941
–
January 12, 1943 		Democratic 1940
73 File:Ellis Arnall.jpg Ellis Arnall January 12, 1943
–
January 14, 1947 		Democratic 1942
[ac]
— Eugene Talmadge — Democratic 1946
[ad] 		rowspan="2" bgcolor=Template:Democratic Party (United States)/meta/color|  Melvin E. Thompson
74 Herman Talmadge January 14, 1947
–
March 18, 1947 		Democratic
75 Melvin E. Thompson March 18, 1947
–
November 17, 1948 		Democratic Vacant
76 Herman Talmadge November 17, 1948
–
January 11, 1955 		Democratic rowspan="15" bgcolor=Template:Democratic Party (United States)/meta/color| Marvin Griffin
1950
77 Marvin Griffin January 11, 1955
–
January 13, 1959 		Democratic 1954 Ernest Vandiver
78 Ernest Vandiver January 13, 1959
–
January 15, 1963 		Democratic 1958 Garland T. Byrd
79 Carl Sanders January 15, 1963
–
January 11, 1967 		Democratic 1962 Peter Zack Geer
80 File:Lester Maddox (Georgia Governor).jpg Lester Maddox January 11, 1967
–
January 12, 1971 		Democratic 1966 George Thornewell Smith
81 Jimmy Carter January 12, 1971
–
January 14, 1975 		Democratic 1970 Lester Maddox
82 File:GeorgeBusbee.png George Busbee January 14, 1975
–
January 11, 1983 		Democratic 1974 Zell Miller
1978
83 Joe Frank Harris January 11, 1983
–
January 14, 1991 		Democratic 1982
1986
84 Zell Miller January 14, 1991
–
January 11, 1999 		Democratic 1990 Pierre Howard
1994
85 Roy Barnes January 11, 1999
–
January 13, 2003 		Democratic 1998 Mark Taylor[ae]
86 rowspan="4" bgcolor=Template:Republican Party (United States)/meta/color| George E. "Sonny" Perdue January 13, 2003
–
January 10, 2011 		Republican 2002
2006 rowspan="3" bgcolor=Template:Republican Party (United States)/meta/color| Casey Cagle
87 Nathan Deal January 10, 2011
–
Incumbent 		Republican 2010
2014
[af]

Other high offices held

This table lists congressional seats, other federal offices, and Confederate offices. All representatives and senators mentioned represented Georgia. * denotes those offices which the governor resigned to take.

Governor Gubernatorial term U.S. House U.S. Senate Other offices held
George Walton 1775–1776
1779–1780
1789–1790 		— S Continental Delegate
Archibald Bulloch 1776–1777 — — Continental Delegate
Button Gwinnett 1777 — — Continental Delegate
John Houstoun 1778–1779
1784–1785 		— — Continental Delegate
Richard Howly 1780 — — Continental Delegate
Nathan Brownson 1781–1782 — — Continental Delegate
Lyman Hall 1783–1784 — — Continental Delegate
Samuel Elbert 1785–1786 — — Elected to the Continental Congress but declined to serve
Edward Telfair 1786–1786
1790–1793 		— — Continental Delegate
George Mathews 1787–1788
1793–1796 		H —
James Jackson 1798–1801 H S*
Josiah Tattnall 1801–1802 — S
John Milledge 1802–1806 H S*
Peter Early 1813–1815 H —
George Troup 1823–1827 H S
John Forsyth 1827–1829 H† S Minister to Spain, U.S. Secretary of State[27]
George R. Gilmer 1829–1831
1837–1839 		H —
Wilson Lumpkin 1831–1835 H S
William Schley 1835–1837 H —
George W. Crawford 1843–1847 H — U.S. Secretary of War
George W. Towns 1847–1851 H —
Howell Cobb 1851–1853 H — Speaker of the House, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, President of the Provisional Confederate Congress
Herschel V. Johnson 1853–1857 — S Confederate Senator
Joseph E. Brown 1857–1865 — S
James Johnson 1865 H —
James Milton Smith 1872–1877 — — Confederate Representative
Alfred H. Colquitt 1877–1882 H S
Alexander H. Stephens 1882–1883 H — Confederate Representative, Vice President of the Confederate States of America; elected to the U.S. Senate but was refused his seat
John Brown Gordon 1886–1890 — S
Allen D. Candler 1898–1902 H —
Joseph M. Terrell 1902–1907 — S
Hoke Smith 1907–1909
1911 		— S* U.S. Secretary of the Interior[28]
Thomas W. Hardwick 1921–1923 H S
Richard Russell, Jr. 1931–1933 — S President pro tempore of the Senate
Herman Talmadge 1947
1948–1955 		— S
Jimmy Carter 1971–1975 — — President of the United States
Zell Miller 1991–1999 — S United States Senator
Nathan Deal 2011– H —

Living former governors

There are five living former governors, the oldest being Jimmy Carter (served 1971–1975, born 1924). The governor to die most recently was Carl Sanders (served 1963–1967, born 1926), on November 16, 2014; the most recently serving governor to die was George Busbee (served 1975–1983, born 1929), on July 16, 2004.

Governor Gubernatorial term Date of birth (and age)
Jimmy Carter 1971–1975 (1924-10-01) October 1, 1924 (age 100)
Joe Frank Harris 1983–1991 (1936-02-16) February 16, 1936 (age 88)
Zell Miller 1991–1999 (1931-02-24) February 24, 1931 (age 93)
Roy Barnes 1999–2003 (1948-03-11) March 11, 1948 (age 76)
George E. "Sonny" Perdue 2003–2011 (1946-12-20) December 20, 1946 (age 77)

Notes

  1. ^ Deal is officially the 82nd governor; however, it is unknown what numbering rules allow for that.[19]
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ Each term for which a governor is elected is listed here; if multiple governors served in a single term, due to resignations, deaths, and the like, then that term will be shared among those governors. If a governor was elected multiple times, then there will be multiple terms listed for that governor.
  4. ^ The office of Lieutenant Governor was created in 1945, first being filled in 1947.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ a b Bulloch died in office; Gwinnett was elected by the council to succeed him.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ a b c d 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.
  9. ^ a b 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;[20] however, other sources state Telfair was elected governor in 1789, including one citing election returns from 1789.[21] 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.
  10. ^ The 1789 constitution took effect beginning with this term, lengthening terms from one to two years.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ Tattnall resigned due to declining health. Milledge was chosen in a special election to fill the term.[22]
  13. ^ Millege 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.
  14. ^ Mitchell resigned to be agent to the Creek Indians; as president of the senate, Rabun assumed the position for the remainder of the term.
  15. ^ Rabun died in office; as president of the senate, Talbot assumed the position for the remainder of the term.
  16. ^ Brown resigned following the defeat of the Confederate States of America. Johnson was a provisional governor appointed by President Andrew Johnson following the American Civil War.
  17. ^ At least one source states Johnson left office "five days after" Jenkins took office, which would be December 19.[23] However, more contemporary sources say he left office on December 14.[20]
  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.[20]
  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.[24]
  22. ^ 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.
  23. ^ The 1877 constitution came into effect during this term, shortening term lengths to two years.
  24. ^ Stephens died in office. As president of the senate, Boynton acted as governor until a special election was held, in which Gordon was elected to fill the remainder of the term.
  25. ^ The start of a gubernatorial term has always been set by the legislature, rather than the constitution; it appears the start of the this term changed from the last Saturday in October to the last Saturday in June, lengthening it by eight months.
  26. ^ Sources are split on whether Smith resigned on November 15 or November 16, with contemporary sources leaning towards November 15.[25]
  27. ^ 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.
  28. ^ The start of the term changed from the last Saturday in June to the second Tuesday in January, shortening this term by five months.[26]
  29. ^ A constitutional amendment took effect starting with this term, lengthening terms from two to four years.
  30. ^ 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.
  31. ^ Represented the Democratic Party.
  32. ^ 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". 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
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. 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. ^ [1]
  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. ^ "Nathan Deal". Archived from the original on December 25, 2010. He was elected on Nov. 2 as the 82nd Governor of Georgia and will be inaugurated on January 10, 2011
  20. ^ a b c The Government of the People of the State of Georgia. 1896. pp. 184–186. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  21. ^ "Georgia 1789 Governor". Tufts University. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
  22. ^ "Georgia 1802 Governor, Special". Tufts University. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
  23. ^ "James Johnson". National Governors Association. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  24. ^ "This Day in Georgia History - October 23, 1871: Rufus Bullock Resigned". Georgia Library Learning Online. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  25. ^ Official Congressional Directory. 1919. p. 17. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  26. ^ "Richard Brevard Russell". National Governors Association. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  27. ^ [2]
  28. ^ [3]

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