List of Governors of California
Encyclopedia
The Governor of California
is the head of the executive branch of California
's government and the commander-in-chief of the state's
military forces
. The governor has a duty to enforce state laws, and the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the California Legislature, to convene the legislature, and to grant pardons, except in cases of impeachment.
There have been 39 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
was the first governor of California, and second governor in American
history, to be recalled
by voters. The longest term was Earl Warren's, who was elected three times and served nearly ten years. The shortest term was that of Milton Latham
, who served only five days before appointing himself to a vacant U.S. Senate
seat. The current governor is Edmund Gerald "Jerry" Brown, Jr.
, who previously served as governor from 1975 to 1983.
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 a 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, 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 implementing a term limit
of two terms; prior to this limit, only one governor, Earl Warren
, had been elected to more than two terms. Jerry Brown
was able to be elected to a third term in 2010 because his earlier terms were before the term limit was introduced. The 1849 constitution also created the office of lieutenant governor
, who, in cases of vacancy in the office of governor, becomes governor. The governor and lieutenant governor are not elected on the same ticket
.
, a Chief Justice of the United States
, and five ambassadors. Thirteen have served in the U.S. Congress
, all representing California, although one also represented Ohio
. Four (marked with *) resigned to take their other office, three in the U.S. Senate
and one joining the U.S. Supreme Court
. One (marked with †) resigned his seat in the Senate to take office as governor.
All representatives and senators listed represented California except where noted.
(1967–1975), on June 5, 2004.
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...
is the head of the executive branch of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
's government and the commander-in-chief of the state's
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
military forces
California National Guard
The California National Guard is the component of the United States National Guard in the U.S. state of California. It comprises both Army and Air National Guard components and is the largest national guard force in the United States with a total authorized strength of 22,900 soldiers and airmen...
. The governor has a duty to enforce state laws, and the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the California Legislature, to convene the legislature, and to grant pardons, except in cases of impeachment.
There have been 39 governors; many have been influential nationwide in areas far-flung from politics. Leland Stanford
Leland Stanford
Amasa Leland Stanford was an American tycoon, industrialist, robber baron, politician and founder of Stanford University.-Early years:...
founded Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
in 1891. Earl Warren
Earl Warren
Earl Warren was the 14th Chief Justice of the United States.He is known for the sweeping decisions of the Warren Court, which ended school segregation and transformed many areas of American law, especially regarding the rights of the accused, ending public-school-sponsored prayer, and requiring...
, later Chief Justice of the United States
Chief Justice of the United States
The Chief Justice of the United States is the head of the United States federal court system and the chief judge of the Supreme Court of the United States. The Chief Justice is one of nine Supreme Court justices; the other eight are the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court 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
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
, who was president of the Screen Actors Guild
Screen Actors Guild
The Screen Actors Guild is an American labor union representing over 200,000 film and television principal performers and background performers worldwide...
and later President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
, and Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011....
both came to prominence through acting. Gray Davis
Gray Davis
Joseph Graham "Gray" Davis, Jr. is an American Democratic politician who served as California's 37th Governor from 1999 until being recalled in 2003...
was the first governor of California, and second governor in American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
history, to be recalled
Recall election
A recall election is a procedure by which voters can remove an elected official from office through a direct vote before his or her term has ended...
by voters. The longest term was Earl Warren's, who was elected three times and served nearly ten years. The shortest term was that of Milton Latham
Milton Latham
Milton Slocum Latham was an American politician, and served as the sixth Governor of California and as a member of the federal U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate. Latham holds the distinction of having the shortest governorship in California history, lasting for five days between...
, who served only five days before appointing himself to a vacant U.S. Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
seat. The current governor is Edmund Gerald "Jerry" Brown, Jr.
Jerry Brown
Edmund Gerald "Jerry" Brown, Jr. is an American politician. Brown served as the 34th Governor of California , and is currently serving as the 39th California Governor...
, who previously served as governor from 1975 to 1983.
Governors
- For the SpanishSpainSpain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, MexicanMexicoThe United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, Bear Flag, military and territorial governors of Alta CaliforniaAlta CaliforniaAlta California was a province and territory in the Viceroyalty of New Spain and later a territory and department in independent Mexico. The territory was created in 1769 out of the northern part of the former province of Las Californias, and consisted of the modern American states of California,...
prior to statehood, see the list of pre-statehood governors of California.
California was obtained by the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in the Mexican Cession
Mexican Cession
The Mexican Cession of 1848 is a historical name in the United States for the region of the present day southwestern United States that Mexico ceded to the U.S...
following the Mexican–American War
Mexican–American War
The Mexican–American War, also known as the First American Intervention, the Mexican War, or the U.S.–Mexican War, was an armed conflict between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848 in the wake of the 1845 U.S...
. Unlike most other states, it was never organized as a territory, and was admitted as a state on September 9, 1850.
The original California Constitution
California Constitution
The document that establishes and describes the duties, powers, structure and function of the government of the U.S. state of California. The original constitution, adopted in November 1849 in advance of California attaining U.S. statehood in 1850, was superseded by the current constitution, which...
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, 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 implementing a term limit
Term limit
A term limit is a legal restriction that limits the number of terms a person may serve in a particular elected office. When term limits are found in presidential and semi-presidential systems they act as a method to curb the potential for monopoly, where a leader effectively becomes "president for...
of two terms; prior to this limit, only one governor, Earl Warren
Earl Warren
Earl Warren was the 14th Chief Justice of the United States.He is known for the sweeping decisions of the Warren Court, which ended school segregation and transformed many areas of American law, especially regarding the rights of the accused, ending public-school-sponsored prayer, and requiring...
, had been elected to more than two terms. Jerry Brown
Jerry Brown
Edmund Gerald "Jerry" Brown, Jr. is an American politician. Brown served as the 34th Governor of California , and is currently serving as the 39th California Governor...
was able to be elected to a third term in 2010 because his earlier terms were before the term limit was introduced. The 1849 constitution also created the office of lieutenant governor
Lieutenant Governor of California
The Lieutenant Governor of California is a statewide constitutional officer elected separately from the Governor who serves as the "vice-executive" of California. The Lieutenant Governor of California is elected to serve a four year term and can serve a maximum of two terms...
, who, in cases of vacancy in the office of governor, becomes governor. The governor and lieutenant governor are not elected on the same ticket
Ticket (election)
A ticket refers to a single election choice which fills more than one political office or seat. For example, in the U.S., the candidates for President and Vice President run on the same "ticket", because they are elected together on a single ballot question rather than separately.A ticket can also...
.
| Governor | Term start | Term end | Party | Lt. Governor Lieutenant Governor of California The Lieutenant Governor of California is a statewide constitutional officer elected separately from the Governor who serves as the "vice-executive" of California. The Lieutenant Governor of California is elected to serve a four year term and can serve a maximum of two terms... Lieutenant governors represented the same party as their governor unless noted. |
TermsThe fractional terms of some governors are not to be understood absolutely literally; rather, they are meant to show single terms during which multiple governors served, due to resignations, deaths and the like. | |||
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| 1 | Peter Hardeman Burnett Peter Hardeman Burnett Peter Hardeman Burnett was an American politician and the first state governor of California, serving from December 20, 1849 to January 9, 1851. He was also the first California governor to resign from office... |
December 20, 1849 | January 9, 1851 | Democratic Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous... |
John McDougall | |||
| 2 | John McDougall | January 9, 1851 | January 8, 1852 | Democratic | David C. Broderick David C. Broderick David Colbreth Broderick was a Democratic U.S. Senator from California. He was a first cousin of Andrew Kennedy and Case Broderick.-Early life and education:... As president of the senate, acted as lieutenant governor. |
As lieutenant governor, filled unexpired term. | ||
| 3 | John Bigler John Bigler John Bigler was an American lawyer, politician and diplomat. A Democrat, he served as the third Governor of California from 1852 to 1856 and was the first California governor to complete an entire term in office successfully, as well as the first to win re-election... |
January 8, 1852 | January 9, 1856 | Democratic | Samuel Purdy Samuel Purdy Samuel Purdy was the third Lieutenant Governor of California, 1852-1856. He ran for office as a Democrat. He also became the first mayor of Stockton, California, in 1851.-References:... |
2 | ||
| 4 | J. Neely Johnson J. Neely Johnson John Neely Johnson was an American lawyer and politician. He was elected as the fourth governor of California from 1856 to 1858, and later appointed justice to the Nevada Supreme Court from 1867 to 1871... |
January 9, 1856 | January 8, 1858 | American Know Nothing The Know Nothing was a movement by the nativist American political faction of the 1840s and 1850s. It was empowered by popular fears that the country was being overwhelmed by German and Irish Catholic immigrants, who were often regarded as hostile to Anglo-Saxon Protestant values and controlled by... |
Robert M. Anderson Robert M. Anderson Robert Moon Anderson was the fourth Lieutenant Governor of California, 1856-1858.... |
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| 5 | John B. Weller John B. Weller John B. Weller was the fifth Governor of California from January 8, 1858 to January 9, 1860 and a Congressman from Ohio, U.S. senator from California, and minister to Mexico.-Life:... |
January 8, 1858 | January 9, 1860 | Democratic | John Walkup John Walkup John Walkup, a member of the Democratic Party, was the fifth Lieutenant Governor of California, 1858–1860.-References:*... |
1 | ||
| 6 | Milton Latham Milton Latham Milton Slocum Latham was an American politician, and served as the sixth Governor of California and as a member of the federal U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate. Latham holds the distinction of having the shortest governorship in California history, lasting for five days between... |
January 9, 1860 | January 14, 1860 | Lecompton Lecompton Constitution The Lecompton Constitution was the second of four proposed constitutions for the state of Kansas . The document was written in response to the anti-slavery position of the 1855 Topeka Constitution of James H. Lane and other free-state advocates... Democratic |
John G. Downey John G. Downey John Gately Downey was an Irish-American politician and the seventh Governor of California from January 14, 1860 to January 10, 1862. Until the election of Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2003, Downey was California's only foreign-born governor... |
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| 7 | John G. Downey John G. Downey John Gately Downey was an Irish-American politician and the seventh Governor of California from January 14, 1860 to January 10, 1862. Until the election of Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2003, Downey was California's only foreign-born governor... |
January 14, 1860 | January 10, 1862 | Lecompton Democratic | Isaac N. Quinn Isaac N. Quinn Isaac N. Quinn was the Acting Lieutenant Governor of California, 1860-1861.... |
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| Pablo de la Guerra Pablo de la Guerra Pablo de la Guerra , from the de la Guerra family of Santa Barbara, California, was the Acting Lieutenant Governor of California, 1861-1862... Elected president of the senate, therefore becoming new acting lieutenant governor. |
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| 8 | Leland Stanford Leland Stanford Amasa Leland Stanford was an American tycoon, industrialist, robber baron, politician and founder of Stanford University.-Early years:... |
January 10, 1862 | December 10, 1863 | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
John F. Chellis John F. Chellis John F. Chellis was the ninth Lieutenant Governor of California from 1862 to 1863.... |
1 | ||
| 9 | Frederick Low Frederick Low Frederick Ferdinand Low was an American politician, US congressman and the ninth Governor of California.-Life:Born in Frankfort in 1828, Low attended the Hampden Academy in Hampden, Maine. Low moved to California, entering the shipping business in San Francisco in 1849... |
December 10, 1863 | December 5, 1867 | Unionist Republican | Tim N. Machin Tim N. Machin Timothy N. Machin was the tenth Lieutenant Governor of California from 1863 to 1867. He previously served in the California State Assembly, representing Tuolumne and Mono counties for two terms in 1862 and 1863.... |
1Low was the first governor elected under the provisions of an 1862 constitutional amendment, increasing terms from two to four years. | ||
| 10 | Henry Huntly Haight | December 5, 1867 | December 8, 1871 | Democratic | William Holden William Holden (politician) William Holden was the 11th Lieutenant Governor of California, 1867-1871.... |
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| 11 | Newton Booth Newton Booth Newton Booth was an American politician.Born in Salem, Indiana, he attended the common schools. In 1841, his parents Beebe and Hannah Booth moved from Salem to Terre Haute, Indiana. Newton graduated from Asbury University, later renamed DePauw University, in nearby Greencastle, Indiana. He studied... |
December 8, 1871 | February 27, 1875 | Republican | Romualdo Pacheco Romualdo Pacheco José Antonio Romualdo Pacheco Jr. was an American politician and diplomat. Involved in California state and federal politics, Pacheco was elected and appointed to various posts and offices throughout his more than thirty-year career, including the California State Senate, the 12th Governor of... |
Resigned to take an elected seat in the United States Senate United States Senate The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each... . |
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| 12 | Romualdo Pacheco Romualdo Pacheco José Antonio Romualdo Pacheco Jr. was an American politician and diplomat. Involved in California state and federal politics, Pacheco was elected and appointed to various posts and offices throughout his more than thirty-year career, including the California State Senate, the 12th Governor of... |
February 27, 1875 | December 9, 1875 | Republican | William IrwinRepresented the Democratic Party Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous... . |
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| 13 | William Irwin | December 9, 1875 | January 8, 1880 | Democratic | James A. Johnson James A. Johnson (politician) James Augustus Johnson was a U.S. Representative from California who went on to serve as the state's 14th Lieutenant Governor.-Early life:... |
1 | ||
| 14 | George Clement Perkins George Clement Perkins George Clement Perkins was a U.S. Republican politician, who was the 14th governor of California from January 8, 1880, to January 10, 1883, and a United States senator from 1893 until 1915. He also served in the California State Senate... |
January 8, 1880 | January 10, 1883 | Republican | John Mansfield John Mansfield John Mansfield was the 15th Lieutenant Governor of California from 1880 to 1883. He also was an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War, serving as the last colonel of the 2nd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment of the famed Iron Brigade.Mansfield responded to President Abraham... |
1 | ||
| 15 | George Stoneman George Stoneman George Stoneman, Jr. was a career United States Army officer, a Union cavalry general in the American Civil War, and the 15th Governor of California between 1883 and 1887.-Early life:... |
January 10, 1883 | January 8, 1887 | Democratic | John Daggett John Daggett John Daggett served as the 16th Lieutenant Governor of California from 1883 to 1887. The site known as Calico Junction just south of the mining town of Calico, California, was renamed Daggett, California, in 1883 for Lieutenant Governor John Daggett.... |
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| 16 | Washington Bartlett Washington Bartlett Washington Montgomery Bartlett was the 20th Mayor of San Francisco, California from 1883–1887 and was California's first and to date only Jewish Governor of California.- Life and career :... |
January 8, 1887 | September 12, 1887 | Democratic | Robert Waterman Robert Waterman (governor) Robert Whitney Waterman was an American politician. He served as the 17th Governor of California from September 12, 1887 until January 8, 1891.-Early years:... Represented the Republican Party Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... . |
Died in office. | ||
| 17 | Robert Waterman Robert Waterman (governor) Robert Whitney Waterman was an American politician. He served as the 17th Governor of California from September 12, 1887 until January 8, 1891.-Early years:... |
September 12, 1887 | January 8, 1891 | Republican | Stephen M. White Stephen M. White Stephen Mallory White was an American politician and an U.S. Senator from California.-Life:Born in San Francisco, Stephen White attended Santa Clara College and read law in the office of Charles Bruce Younger Sr. in Santa Cruz, California and was admitted to the bar in 1874... As president pro tempore of the state senate, acted as lieutenant governor. |
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| 18 | Henry Markham Henry Markham Henry Harrison Markham was a United States Representative from March 4, 1885 to March 3, 1887 and the 18th Governor of California from January 8, 1891 until January 11, 1895.Markham was born in Wilmington, New York... |
January 8, 1891 | January 11, 1895 | Republican | John B. Reddick John B. Reddick John B. Reddick was the 19th Lieutenant Governor of California, 1891-1895.... |
1 | ||
| 19 | James Budd James Budd James Herbert Budd was an American lawyer and Democratic politician. Involved in federal and state politics, Budd was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for the 2nd California district from 1883 to 1885, and later elected as the 19th Governor of California from 1895 until... |
January 11, 1895 | January 4, 1899 | Democratic | Spencer G. Millard Spencer G. Millard Spencer Gurdon Millard was an American Republican politician, lawyer and school teacher. He was elected as the 20th Lieutenant Governor of California, his term to run from 1895 to 1899, but died in office within the first year.He was born in Ionia, Michigan, the son of Gurdon J. Millard and... |
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| William T. Jeter William T. Jeter William Thomas Jeter was an American Democratic politician.He was born in Menard County, Illinois, the third son and eighth child of William Griffin Jeter and Elizabeth McCutchen Berry. He served as Mayor of Santa Cruz, California, from 1892 to 1894. He was the 21st Lieutenant Governor of... Appointed by governor to fill the vacancy in the office of lieutenant governor. |
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| 20 | Henry Gage Henry Gage Henry Tifft Gage was an American lawyer, politician and diplomat. A Republican, Gage was elected to a single term as the 20th Governor of California from 1899 to 1903. Gage was also the U.S. Minister to Portugal for several months in 1910.-Biography:Gage was born on Christmas Day, 1852 in Geneva,... |
January 4, 1899 | January 6, 1903 | Republican | Jacob H. Neff Jacob H. Neff Jacob H. Neff was an American politician. He served as the 22nd Lieutenant Governor of California from 1899 to 1903.Born in Pennsylvania, his parents and he removed to Iowa. In 1849, they removed to California... |
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| 21 | George Pardee George Pardee George Cooper Pardee was an American doctor of medicine and politician. The 21st Governor of California, holding office from January 7, 1903, to January 9, 1907, Pardee was the second native-born Californian to assume the governorship, after Romualdo Pacheco, and the first governor born in... |
January 6, 1903 | January 9, 1907 | Republican | Alden Anderson Alden Anderson Alden Anderson was a Republican politician from California. He served as the 23rd Lieutenant Governor from 1903 to 1907. Prior to that he had been a member of the California State Assembly representing Solano County, and served as Speaker from January 1899 to February 1900.#... |
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| 22 | James Gillett James Gillett James Norris Gillett was an American lawyer and politician. A Republican involved in federal and state politics, Gillett was elected both a member of the U.S... |
January 9, 1907 | January 3, 1911 | Republican | Warren R. Porter Warren R. Porter Warren Reynolds Porter was a Republican politician from California. He served as the 24th Lieutenant Governor of California 1907 to 1911. Porter had grown up in Watsonville, California. A businessman, he co-founded Graniterock, and before that he was board secretary for the Loma Prieta Lumber... |
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| 23 | Hiram Johnson Hiram Johnson Hiram Warren Johnson was a leading American progressive and later isolationist politician from California; he served as the 23rd Governor from 1911 to 1917, and as a United States Senator from 1917 to 1945.-Early life:... |
January 3, 1911 | March 15, 1917 | Republican | A. J. Wallace | |||
| Progressive Progressive Party (United States, 1912) The Progressive Party of 1912 was an American political party. It was formed after a split in the Republican Party between President William Howard Taft and former President Theodore Roosevelt.... |
John M. Eshleman John Morton Eshleman John Morton Eshleman was an American lawyer and politician from California. He was Lieutenant Governor of California from 1915 to 1916.... |
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| William Stephens William Stephens William Dennison Stephens was an American federal and state politician. A three-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1911 to 1916, Stephens was also the 24th Governor of California from 1917 to 1923.... |
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| 24 | William Stephens William Stephens William Dennison Stephens was an American federal and state politician. A three-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1911 to 1916, Stephens was also the 24th Governor of California from 1917 to 1923.... |
March 15, 1917 | January 9, 1923 | Republican | vacant | As lieutenant governor, filled unexpired term, and was subsequently elected in his own right. | ||
| Clement C. Young C. C. Young Clement Calhoun Young was an American teacher and politician who was affiliated with the original Progressive Party and later the Republican Party. He was elected to five consecutive terms in the California State Assembly, serving from 1909 to 1919, then as the 28th lieutenant governor of... |
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| 25 | Friend Richardson Friend Richardson Friend William Richardson , was an American newspaper publisher and politician. A member of the Progressive Party and later the Republican Party, Richardson was elected as the California State Treasurer from 1915 to 1923, and shortly afterwards as the 25th governor of California from 1923 to 1927... |
January 9, 1923 | January 4, 1927 | Republican | Clement C. Young C. C. Young Clement Calhoun Young was an American teacher and politician who was affiliated with the original Progressive Party and later the Republican Party. He was elected to five consecutive terms in the California State Assembly, serving from 1909 to 1919, then as the 28th lieutenant governor of... |
1 | ||
| 26 | Clement C. Young C. C. Young Clement Calhoun Young was an American teacher and politician who was affiliated with the original Progressive Party and later the Republican Party. He was elected to five consecutive terms in the California State Assembly, serving from 1909 to 1919, then as the 28th lieutenant governor of... |
January 4, 1927 | January 6, 1931 | Republican | Buron Fitts Buron Fitts Buron Rogers Fitts was a California politician, who was the 29th Lieutenant Governor of the state from 1927 to 1928 and Los Angeles County district attorney thereafter until 1940.... |
1 | ||
| H. L. Carnahan H. L. Carnahan Herschel L. Carnahan was the 30th Lieutenant Governor of California, 1928-1931.-External links:* biography at JoinCalifornia.com* Los Angeles County Biographies: at ancestry.com... |
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| 27 | James Rolph Jr. James Rolph James “Sunny Jim” Rolph, Jr. was an American politician and a member of the Republican Party. He was elected to a single term as the 27th governor of California from January 6, 1931 until his death on June 2, 1934 at the height of the Great Depression... |
January 6, 1931 | June 2, 1934 | Republican | Frank Merriam Frank Merriam Frank Finley Merriam was an American politician who served as the 28th governor of California from June 2, 1934 until January 2, 1939... |
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| 28 | Frank Merriam Frank Merriam Frank Finley Merriam was an American politician who served as the 28th governor of California from June 2, 1934 until January 2, 1939... |
June 2, 1934 | January 2, 1939 | Republican | vacant | |||
| George J. Hatfield George J. Hatfield George J. Hatfield served as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California from 1925–33 and was the 32nd Lieutenant Governor of California from 1935-39. There is a state park area named after him.-External links:*... |
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| 29 | Culbert Olson Culbert Olson Culbert Levy Olson was an American lawyer and politician. A Democrat, Olson was involved in Utah and California politics and was elected as the 29th Governor of California from 1939 to 1943.-Personal background:... |
January 2, 1939 | January 4, 1943 | Democratic | Ellis E. Patterson Ellis E. Patterson Ellis Ellwood Patterson was a one-term Democratic California congressman. Born in Yuba City, California, he served as representative between 1945 and 1947. Patterson also served in the California State Assembly. He was also the 33rd Lieutenant Governor of California, 1939-43.-External links:*... |
1 | ||
| 30 | Earl Warren Earl Warren Earl Warren was the 14th Chief Justice of the United States.He is known for the sweeping decisions of the Warren Court, which ended school segregation and transformed many areas of American law, especially regarding the rights of the accused, ending public-school-sponsored prayer, and requiring... |
January 4, 1943 | October 5, 1953 | RepublicanWarren ran as a Republican for his first and third terms. For his second term, he won the nomination of the Republican, Democratic, and Progressive Progressive Party (United States, 1948) The United States Progressive Party of 1948 was a left-wing political party that ran former Vice President Henry A. Wallace of Iowa for president and U.S. Senator Glen H. Taylor of Idaho for vice president in 1948.-Foundation:... parties. |
Frederick F. Houser Frederick F. Houser Frederick Francis Houser served as the 34th Lieutenant Governor of California under governor Earl Warren between 1943 and 1947. He made several other attempts running for political offices including 1932 House of Representatives for the California 12th district running against John H... |
Resigned to become Chief Justice of the United States Chief Justice of the United States The Chief Justice of the United States is the head of the United States federal court system and the chief judge of the Supreme Court of the United States. The Chief Justice is one of nine Supreme Court justices; the other eight are the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States... . |
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| Goodwin Jess Knight Goodwin Knight Goodwin Jess Knight , known as "Goodie Knight", was a U.S. politician who was the 31st Governor of California from 1953 until 1959.-Early life:... |
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| 31 | Goodwin Jess Knight Goodwin Knight Goodwin Jess Knight , known as "Goodie Knight", was a U.S. politician who was the 31st Governor of California from 1953 until 1959.-Early life:... |
October 5, 1953 | January 5, 1959 | Republican | Harold J. Powers Harold J. Powers Harold J. Powers was a the 36th Lieutenant Governor of California, having served from 1953-1959 under fellow liberal Republican Governor Goodwin J. Knight.... As president pro tempore of the state senate, filled unexpired term. |
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| 32 | Edmund Gerald "Pat" Brown, Sr. Pat Brown Edmund Gerald "Pat" Brown, Sr. was the 32nd Governor of California, serving from 1959 to 1967, and the father of current Governor of California Jerry Brown.-Background:... |
January 5, 1959 | January 2, 1967 | Democratic | Glenn M. Anderson Glenn M. Anderson Glenn Malcolm Anderson was an American politician. He was the 37th Lieutenant Governor of California and later as congressman. He was a member of the Democratic Party.... |
2 | ||
| 33 | Ronald Reagan Ronald Reagan Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor.... |
January 2, 1967 | January 6, 1975 | Republican | Robert FinchResigned to be U.S. Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. | 2 | ||
| Edwin Reinecke Edwin Reinecke Edwin Reinecke, who went by Ed Reinecke, is a retired California politician. He was born in Medford, Oregon, and served in the Navy during World War II. He graduated from Beverly Hills High School in 1942 and then attended the California Institute of Technology, where he completed a degree in... |
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| John L. Harmer John L. Harmer John L. Harmer is a former California politician who served in the California State Senate as a Republican from 1966 to 1974. He went on to serve briefly as the 40th Lieutenant Governor of California from 1974 to 1975, after the resignation of Edwin Reinecke on October 4, 1974. Departing Governor... |
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| 34 | Edmund Gerald "Jerry" Brown, Jr. Jerry Brown Edmund Gerald "Jerry" Brown, Jr. is an American politician. Brown served as the 34th Governor of California , and is currently serving as the 39th California Governor... |
January 6, 1975 | January 3, 1983 | Democratic | Mervyn M. Dymally Mervyn M. Dymally Mervyn Malcolm Dymally is a California Democratic politician of mixed Indian and Afro-Trinidadian heritage. He served in the California State Assembly and the California State Senate , as the 41st Lieutenant Governor of California , and in the U.S. House of Representatives... |
2 | ||
| Michael Curb | ||||||||
| 35 | George Deukmejian George Deukmejian Courken George Deukmejian, Jr. born June 6, 1928) is an Armenian American politician from California who as a Republican served as the 35th Governor of California and as California Attorney General .-Early life:... |
January 3, 1983 | January 7, 1991 | Republican | Leo T. McCarthy Leo T. McCarthy Leo Tarcissus McCarthy was a New Zealand-born American politician and businessman. He served as the 43rd Lieutenant Governor of California from 1983 to 1995.... |
2 | ||
| 36 | Pete Wilson Pete Wilson Peter Barton "Pete" Wilson is an American politician from California. Wilson, a Republican, served as the 36th Governor of California , the culmination of more than three decades in the public arena that included eight years as a United States Senator , eleven years as Mayor of San Diego and... |
January 7, 1991 | January 4, 1999 | Republican | Leo T. McCarthy Leo T. McCarthy Leo Tarcissus McCarthy was a New Zealand-born American politician and businessman. He served as the 43rd Lieutenant Governor of California from 1983 to 1995.... |
2 | ||
| Joseph Graham "Gray" Davis Gray Davis Joseph Graham "Gray" Davis, Jr. is an American Democratic politician who served as California's 37th Governor from 1999 until being recalled in 2003... |
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| 37 | Joseph Graham "Gray" Davis Gray Davis Joseph Graham "Gray" Davis, Jr. is an American Democratic politician who served as California's 37th Governor from 1999 until being recalled in 2003... |
January 4, 1999 | November 17, 2003 | Democratic | Cruz Bustamante Cruz Bustamante Cruz Miguel Bustamante is an American politician. He was the 45th Lieutenant Governor of California, a former Speaker of the State Assembly and a member of the Democratic Party... |
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| 38 | Arnold Schwarzenegger Arnold Schwarzenegger Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011.... |
November 17, 2003 | January 3, 2011 | Republican | Cruz Bustamante Cruz Bustamante Cruz Miguel Bustamante is an American politician. He was the 45th Lieutenant Governor of California, a former Speaker of the State Assembly and a member of the Democratic Party... |
Elected in a special election, and subsequently elected to a full term. | ||
| John Garamendi John Garamendi John Raymond Garamendi is the U.S. Representative for , serving since November 2009. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Garamendi was the California State Insurance Commissioner from 1991 to 1995, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Interior from 1995 to 1998, and the California State Insurance... |
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| Abel Maldonado Abel Maldonado Abel Maldonado is an American politician who was the 48th Lieutenant Governor of California. On November 23, 2009, then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced Maldonado as his nominee for Lieutenant Governor to fill the vacancy created by John Garamendi's election to the United States House of... |
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| 39 | Edmund Gerald "Jerry" Brown, Jr. Jerry Brown Edmund Gerald "Jerry" Brown, Jr. is an American politician. Brown served as the 34th Governor of California , and is currently serving as the 39th California Governor... |
January 3, 2011 | Incumbent | Democratic | Abel Maldonado Abel Maldonado Abel Maldonado is an American politician who was the 48th Lieutenant Governor of California. On November 23, 2009, then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced Maldonado as his nominee for Lieutenant Governor to fill the vacancy created by John Garamendi's election to the United States House of... |
1Governor Brown's third term expires on January 5, 2015; he is not term limit Term limit A term limit is a legal restriction that limits the number of terms a person may serve in a particular elected office. When term limits are found in presidential and semi-presidential systems they act as a method to curb the potential for monopoly, where a leader effectively becomes "president for... ed, since his two earlier terms predated the limit. |
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| Gavin Newsom Gavin Newsom Gavin Christopher Newsom is an American politician who is the 49th and current Lieutenant Governor of California. Previously, he was the 42nd Mayor of San Francisco, and was elected in 2003 to succeed Willie Brown, becoming San Francisco's youngest mayor in 100 years. Newsom was re-elected in 2007... |
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Other high offices held
Seventeen of California's governors have served other high offices, including one President of the United StatesPresident of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
, a Chief Justice of the United States
Chief Justice of the United States
The Chief Justice of the United States is the head of the United States federal court system and the chief judge of the Supreme Court of the United States. The Chief Justice is one of nine Supreme Court justices; the other eight are the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States...
, and five ambassadors. Thirteen have served in the U.S. Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
, all representing California, although one also represented Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. Four (marked with *) resigned to take their other office, three in the U.S. Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
and one joining the U.S. Supreme Court
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
. One (marked with †) resigned his seat in the Senate to take office as governor.
All representatives and senators listed represented California except where noted.
| Governor | Gubernatorial term | Other offices held | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1852–1856 | Minister to Chile United States Ambassador to Chile The following is a list of Ambassadors that the United States has sent to Chile. The current title given by the United States State Department to this position is Ambassador Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary.-See also:*Chile – United States relations... |
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| 1858–1860 | Representative from Ohio Ohio Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus... , Senator, Minister to Mexico United States Ambassador to Mexico The United States has maintained diplomatic relations with Mexico since 1823, when Andrew Jackson was appointed Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to that country. Jackson declined the appointment, however, and Joel R. Poinsett became the first U.S. envoy to Mexico in 1825. The rank... |
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| 1860 | Representative, Senator* | ||
| 1862–1863 | Senator | ||
| 1863–1867 | Representative, Minister to the Great Qing Empire United States Ambassador to China The United States Ambassador to China is the chief American diplomat to People's Republic of China . The United States has sent diplomatic representatives to China since 1844, when Caleb Cushing, as Commissioner, negotiated the Treaty of Wanghia. Commissioners represented the United States in... |
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| 1871–1875 | Senator* | ||
| 1875 | Representative, Minister to Costa Rica United States Ambassador to Costa Rica The following is a list of United States Ambassadors, or other Chiefs of Mission, to Costa Rica. The title given by the United States State Department to this position is currently Ambassador Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary.-See also:... , El Salvador United States Ambassador to El Salvador The following is a list of United States Ambassadors, or other Chiefs of Mission, to El Salvador. The title given by the United States State Department to this position is currently Ambassador Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary.-Chiefs of Mission:... , Guatemala United States Ambassador to Guatemala The following is a list of Ambassadors of the United States, or other chiefs of mission, to Guatemala. The title given by the United States State Department to this position is currently Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.-See also:... , Honduras United States Ambassador to Honduras The following is a list of United States Ambassadors, or other Chiefs of Mission, to Honduras. The title given by the United States State Department to this position is currently Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.-See also:... , and Nicaragua United States Ambassador to Nicaragua The following is a list of United States Ambassadors, or other Chiefs of Mission, to Nicaragua. The title given by the United States State Department to this position is currently Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.-Ambassadors:-See also:... |
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| 1880–1883 | Senator | ||
| 1891–1895 | Representative | ||
| 1895–1899 | Representative | ||
| 1899–1903 | Minister to Portugal United States Ambassador to Portugal This is a list of Ambassadors of the United States to Portugal.Bilateral diplomatic relations between the United States and Portugal date from the earliest years of the United States. Following the Revolutionary War, Portugal was the first neutral country to recognize the United States. On February... |
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| 1907–1911 | Representative† | ||
| 1911–1917 | Senator* | ||
| 1917–1923 | Representative | ||
| 1943–1953 | Chief Justice of the United States Chief Justice of the United States The Chief Justice of the United States is the head of the United States federal court system and the chief judge of the Supreme Court of the United States. The Chief Justice is one of nine Supreme Court justices; the other eight are the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States... * |
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| 1967–1975 | President of the United States President of the United States The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces.... |
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| 1991–1999 | Senator† |
Living former governors
, there are four living former governors of California. The most recent death of a former governor was that of Ronald ReaganRonald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
(1967–1975), on June 5, 2004.
| Governor | Term of office | Date of birth |
|---|---|---|
| George Deukmejian George Deukmejian Courken George Deukmejian, Jr. born June 6, 1928) is an Armenian American politician from California who as a Republican served as the 35th Governor of California and as California Attorney General .-Early life:... |
1983–1991 | 6 June 1928 (age 83) |
| Pete Wilson Pete Wilson Peter Barton "Pete" Wilson is an American politician from California. Wilson, a Republican, served as the 36th Governor of California , the culmination of more than three decades in the public arena that included eight years as a United States Senator , eleven years as Mayor of San Diego and... |
1991–1999 | 23 August 1933 (age 78) |
| Gray Davis Gray Davis Joseph Graham "Gray" Davis, Jr. is an American Democratic politician who served as California's 37th Governor from 1999 until being recalled in 2003... |
1999–2003 | 26 December 1942 (age 69) |
| Arnold Schwarzenegger Arnold Schwarzenegger Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011.... |
2003–2011 | 30 July 1947 (age 64) |
See also
- List of Governors of California by time in office
- List of Governors of California by age