List of governors of Georgia

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List of governors of Georgia
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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.

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The current governor is Republican Brian Kemp, who took office on January 14, 2019.

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List of Governors

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Notes

  1. Data is sourced from the Official and Statistical Register of Georgia,[2] unless supplemental references are required.
  2. The state says Brian Kemp is the 83rd governor; this number is derived from the Official and Statistical Register of Georgia, last published by the Office of Secretary of State in 1978. It continues the numbering from the colonial governors and omits repeat governors, thus marking Archibald Bulloch as 7th and George Busbee as 77th.[2]
  3. The office of Lieutenant Governor was created in 1945, first being filled in 1947.
  4. 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.
  5. Gwinnett was elected by the council to succeed Bulloch.[3]
  6. The date given is the capture of Savannah, where the New Georgia Encyclopedia says his last official act as governor was to flee.[4]
  7. The capture of Savannah threw the government into disarray and exile, and records are scarce as to dates and leadership. William Glascock (elected January 21, 1779)[5] and Seth John Cuthbert (elected July 24, 1779), while often included in lists of governors, are omitted from the official state register, likely because of this reason. A school pamphlet from 1977 notes, "This confusing situation resulted in a number of radical Whigs, mainly from Wilkes County, organizing a second government with George Walton as governor and Glascock as speaker of the assembly. ... As a result of this makeshift election, there were two Whig governments plus the restored loyalist government."[6]
  8. Howly resigned to be a delegate to the Continental Congress.[7]
  9. George Wells succeeded Howly, but was killed in a duel on February 16, 1780; he is omitted from nearly every list of governors, including the official register. Stephen Heard then became governor.[8]
  10. Some sources say Myrick Davies was elected in August 1780 and served until his death;[9] however, he is omitted from the official state register.
  11. James Jackson was elected in 1788, but declined the position, citing inexperience.[10]
  12. First term under the 1789 constitution, which lengthened terms to two years.[11]
  13. Jackson resigned to take an elected seat in the United States Senate.[10]
  14. Tattnall resigned due to declining health.[12]
  15. Milledge resigned to take an elected seat in the United States Senate.[13]
  16. Special election for the remainder of Josiah Tattnall's term[14]
  17. Mitchell resigned to be agent to the Creek Indians.[15]
  18. One source states Brown left office on June 25, which could make sense as it would take several days for news of Johnson's appointment to reach Georgia. However, this source has not been corroborated.[16]
  19. Brown resigned following the defeat of the Confederate States of America.[17]
  20. At least one source states Johnson left office "five days after" Jenkins took office, which would be December 19.[18] However, more contemporary sources say he left office on December 14.[19]
  21. Johnson was appointed provisional governor by the Union occupation.[18]
  22. 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.[20]
  23. Provisional governor appointed by General George Meade[21]
  24. Some sources state Bullock took office on July 21, but more contemporary sources say July 4.[19]
  25. 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.[22]
  26. Bullock resigned and fled the state to avoid impeachment; he was arrested in 1876 and found not guilty of embezzlement.[22]
  27. First term under the 1868 constitution, which lengthened terms to four years.[23]
  28. Special election for the remainder of Rufus Bullock's term[24]
  29. First term under the 1877 constitution, which shortened terms to two years.[25]
  30. McDaniel's first term was shortened, so it is not known if he can be considered term limited.
  31. Special election for the remainder of Alexander Stephens' term[26]
  32. The start of a gubernatorial term has always been set by the legislature, rather than the constitution; it appears the start of this term changed from the last Saturday in October to the last Saturday in June, lengthening it by eight months.
  33. Sources are split on whether Smith resigned on November 15 or November 16, with contemporary sources leaning towards November 15.[27]
  34. Smith resigned to take an elected seat in the United States Senate.[28]
  35. Special election for the remainder of Hoke Smith's term[29]
  36. The start of the term changed from the last Saturday in June to the second Tuesday in January, shortening this term by five months.[30]
  37. First term under the 1941 amendment to the constitution, which lengthened terms to four years.[31]
  38. 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.[32]
  39. Special election to fill Eugene Talmadge's term[32]
  40. Represented the Democratic Party
  41. Kemp's first term expires January 9, 2023.
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References

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