List of current United States governors

Map of the United States with states and territories colored according to the party affiliation of their governor
Party affiliation of current United States state and territorial governors:
  Democratic (23 states, 3 territories)
  Republican (27 states)
  New Progressive (1 territory)
  Independent (1 territory)
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The United States has 50 states and 5 territories that each elect a governor to serve as chief executive of the state or territorial government.[1] The sole federal district, the District of Columbia, elects a mayor to oversee their government in a similar manner.[2][3] In the event of a vacancy, the governor is succeeded by the second-highest-ranking state official; in 45 states and 4 territories, the lieutenant governor is the first in the line of succession.[4][5]

As of January 8, 2024, there are 27 states with Republican governors and 23 states with Democratic governors. Three territories have Democratic governors, while one has an independent governor. Pedro Pierluisi of Puerto Rico is a member of the New Progressive Party, although he is also affiliated with the Democratic Party.[6] The federal District of Columbia is governed by a Democratic mayor.[7]

The current gubernatorial term ends and new term begins in January for most states and territories, two months after their election; in Alaska, Hawaii, North Dakota, and Kentucky, the term begins in December.[8][9] Governors serve four-year terms in most states and all territories; New Hampshire and Vermont have two-year terms for their governors. Most states and all but one territory also have term limits that generally allow for two consecutive terms to be served by a candidate. To run for governor, a candidate must generally be a U.S. citizen with prior state residence who meets the minimum age requirement—set at 30 years old in 35 states.[10]

All 55 governors are members of the National Governors Association, a non-partisan organization which represents states and territories in discussions with the federal government.[11] Other organizations for governors include the partisan Democratic Governors Association and Republican Governors Association; and the three regional associations: Midwestern, Northeastern, and Western.[12]

  1. ^ "US Elections 2020 Vocabulary: Governor". BBC. October 14, 2020. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  2. ^ Nirappil, Fenit (June 21, 2017). "Can a change of titles make DC seem more stately? Ask Gov. Bowser". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on December 17, 2018. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  3. ^ Bonessi, Dominique Maria (January 12, 2021). "Your Questions About How The National Guard Works In D.C., Answered". NPR. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  4. ^ "States' Lines of Succession of Gubernatorial Powers" (PDF). National Emergency Management Association. May 2011. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 5, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  5. ^ "Method of Election Data for the Office of Lieutenant Governor" (PDF) (Press release). National Lieutenant Governors Association. February 4, 2015. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 7, 2015. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  6. ^ "Governors Roster 2024" (PDF). National Governors Association. February 15, 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 18, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  7. ^ Brice-Saddler, Michael (May 5, 2021). "In nod to statehood bid, Bowser admitted to Democratic Governors Association". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  8. ^ "2024 Gubernatorial Elections". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on April 4, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  9. ^ Marquez, Alexandra (December 30, 2022). "They won a race for governor in 2022. Here's when they'll be sworn into office". NBC News. Archived from the original on May 27, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  10. ^ Francis, Audrey S.; Perkins, Heather M., eds. (2021). The Book of the States, Volume 53 (PDF). Lexington, Kentucky: Council of State Governments. pp. 109–111. ISBN 978-0-578-30951-4. OCLC 1312806678. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  11. ^ Craig, Tim (August 3, 2019). "Sidelined on the national stage, U.S. governors are frustrated with Washington". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 8, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  12. ^ Friedman, Lori (July 19, 2016). "The governors and the feds". Lehigh University. Archived from the original on April 17, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.