The following is the planned order of succession for the governorships of the 50 U.S. states , Washington, D.C. , and the five organized territories of the United States , according to the constitutions (and supplemental laws, if any) of each.[ 1]
From 1980 to 1999, there were 13 successions of governorships. From 2000 to 2019 this number increased to 29.[ 2] John Farmer Jr. acted as governor for 90 minutes between Donald DiFrancesco and John O. Bennett 's terms in that capacity as president of the Senate following governor Christine Todd Whitman 's resignation.[ 3] Wanda Vázquez Garced became governor when both the governor and secretary of state resigned in Telegramgate .
From 1945 to 2016, 39 of those who succeeded to the governorship ran for and won election to a full term.[ 4]
States
Alabama
Established by Article V, Section 127 of the Constitution of Alabama .[ 5]
Alaska
Established by Article III, Section 10 of the Constitution of Alaska .[ 6]
Arizona
Established by Article V, Section 6 of the Constitution of Arizona .[ 7]
Arkansas
Established by Article VI, Section 5 of the Constitution of Arkansas as amended.[ 8]
California
Established by Article V, Section 10 of the Constitution of California [ 9] California Codes .[ 10] [ 11]
Colorado
Established by Article IV, Section 13(7) of the Constitution of Colorado .[ 12]
Connecticut
Established by Article IV, Sections 18–21 of the Constitution of Connecticut .[ 13]
Delaware
Established by Article III, Section 20 of the Constitution of Delaware .[ 14]
Florida
Established by Article IV, Section 3 of the Constitution of Florida [ 15] [ 16]
Georgia
Established by Article V, Section 1, Paragraph V of the Constitution of Georgia .[ 17]
Hawaii
Established by Article V, Section 4 of the Constitution of Hawaii [ 18] [ 19]
Idaho
Established by Article IV, Sections 12–14 of the Constitution of Idaho.[ 21]
Illinois
Established by Article V, Section 6 of the Constitution of Illinois [ 22] [ 23]
Indiana
Established by Article V, Section 10 of the Constitution of Indiana .[ 24]
Iowa
Established by Article IV, Sections 17–19 of the Constitution of Iowa.[ 25]
Kansas
Established by KSA Statute 75–125[ 26] [ 27]
Kentucky
Established by Sections 84,[ 28] [ 29] [ 30] Kentucky Constitution .
Louisiana
Established by Article IV, Section 14 of the Constitution of Louisiana .[ 31]
Maine
Established by Article V, Part 1, Section 14 of the Constitution of Maine .[ 32]
Maryland
Established by Article II, Section 6 of the Constitution of Maryland .[ 33]
Massachusetts
Established by Article LV of the Constitution of Massachusetts .[ 34]
Michigan
Established by Article V, Section 26 of the Constitution of Michigan ,[ 35] [ 36] [ 37] [ 38]
Minnesota
Established by Article V, Section 5 of the Minnesota Constitution [ 40] [ 41]
Mississippi
Established by Article V, Section 131 of the Constitution of Mississippi .[ 42]
Missouri
Established by Article IV, Section 11(a) of the Constitution of Missouri .[ 43]
Montana
Established by Article VI, Section 6 of the Constitution of Montana [ 44] [ 45] [ 46] [ 47]
Nebraska
Established by Article IV, Section 16 of the Constitution of Nebraska [ 48] [ 49] [ 50]
Nevada
Established by Nevada Revised Statute 223.080.[ 51]
New Hampshire
Established by Part 2, Article 49 of the Constitution of New Hampshire .[ 52]
New Jersey
Established by Article V, Section I, Paragraph 7 of the Constitution of New Jersey [ 53] [ 54]
New Mexico
Established by Article V, Section 7 of the Constitution of New Mexico [ 55]
New York
Established by Article IV, Sections 5–6 of the New York Constitution [ 56] [ 57]
North Carolina
Established by Article III, Section 3, of the Constitution of North Carolina [ 58] [ 59]
North Dakota
Established by Article V, Section 11 of the Constitution of North Dakota .[ 60]
Ohio
Established by Article III, Section 15 of the Constitution of Ohio [ 61] Ohio Revised Code .[ 62]
Oklahoma
As provided by Article VI, Section 15 of the Constitution of Oklahoma [ 63] Oklahoma Emergency Interim Executive and Judicial Succession Act .
Oregon
Established by Article V, Section 8a of the Constitution of Oregon [ 64]
Pennsylvania
Established by Article IV, Sections 13–14 of the Pennsylvania Constitution [ 65] [ 66]
Rhode Island
Established by Article IX, Sections 9–10 of the Constitution of Rhode Island [ 67]
South Carolina
Established by Article IV, Sections 6 and 7 of the South Carolina Constitution [ 68] South Carolina Code of Laws sections 1-3-120,[ 69] [ 70] [ 71]
South Dakota
Established by Article IV, Section 6 of the Constitution of South Dakota .[ 72]
Tennessee
Established by Article III, Section 12 of the Constitution of Tennessee [ 73] [ 74]
Texas
Established by Article IV, Sections 3a and 16–18 of the Constitution of Texas [ 75] [ 76]
Utah
Established by Article VII, Section 11 of the Constitution of Utah [ 77] [ 78]
Vermont
Established by Chapter II, Section 20 of the Constitution of Vermont ,[ 79] [ 80] [ 81]
Virginia
Established by Article V, Section 16 of the Constitution of Virginia .[ 82]
Washington
Established by Article III, Section 10 of the Constitution of Washington .[ 83]
West Virginia
Established by Article VII, Section 16 of the Constitution of West Virginia .[ 84]
Wisconsin
Established by Article V, Sections 7 and 8 of the Constitution of Wisconsin .[ 85]
Wyoming
Established by Article IV, Section 6 of the Wyoming Constitution .[ 86]
Federal district
Established by Title IV, Section 421(c)(2) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act .[ 87]
Organized territories
American Samoa
Established by Article IV, Section 4 Constitution of American Samoa [ 88] [ 89]
Guam
Established by Subchapter 1, Section 1422(b) of the Guam Organic Act of 1950 .[ 90]
Northern Mariana Islands
Established by Article III, Section 7 of the Northern Mariana Islands Commonwealth Constitution .[ 91]
Puerto Rico
Established by Article IV, Section 8 of the Constitution of Puerto Rico [ 92] [ 93]
U.S. Virgin Islands
Established by Subsection IV §1595(b, e) of the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands [ 94] [ 95]
Notes
^ The office is officially nonpartisan, but Superintendent Thurmond identifies with the Democratic Party.
^ a b c Must be the same party as the outgoing governor. If the current officeholder is not a member of the same party, skip to the next on the list.
^ If the minority leader of the Senate is not a member of the same party as the outgoing governor, succession goes back to the president of the Senate
^ The elected office of Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction was abolished as of January 11, 2021 and replaced with the appointed Secretary of Education. However the state constitution has not been changed.
^ a b c d Only eligible to serve until a new president of the Senate is elected.
^ Only eligible to serve until a new governor is elected by the General Assembly.
^ "Senior" is defined as the member of the legislature who has served "for the longest continuous period of time", with age being the tiebreaker (in favor of the older/oldest person) if multiple people qualify. Sen. Regier served for eight years in the state House of Representatives from 2009-2017 and went directly to the state Senate, serving until the present.
^ Only eligible to serve until a new governor is elected by a joint session of the Legislature.
^ The Nebraska Legislature is officially nonpartisan, but Speaker Arch identifies with the Republican Party.
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m The Nebraska Legislature is officially nonpartisan, but this senator identifies with the Republican Party.
^ a b The Nebraska Legislature is officially nonpartisan, but this senator identifies with the Democratic Party.
^ a b The New York Defense Emergency Act of 1951 calls for the "Commissioner of Commerce" and the "Industrial Commissioner" to be in the emergency line of succession. However, these departments/positions no longer appear to exist and it is unclear if there have been statutory changes made to accommodate the line of succession.
^ Griffin-Valade is not eligible to succeed to the office of governor as she was appointed, not elected, to her position.
^ The office is officially nonpartisan, but Superintendent Reykdal identifies with the Democratic Party.
^ a b c Elections in American Samoa are officially nonpartisan, but Gov. Mauga and Lt. Gov. Ale both identify with the Democratic Party, and Speaker Ale with the Republican Party.
References
^ "States' Lines of Succession of Gubernatorial Powers" (PDF) . National Lieutenant Governors Association . May 2011.^ "Chart of Gubernatorial Successions" (PDF) . National Lieutenant Governors Association . June 2018.^ Staff. "N.J.'S LINE OF SUCCESSION / A SIMPLE FIX" , The Press of Atlantic City
^ "Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball » Stepping Up: How Governors Who Have Succeeded to the Top Job Have Performed Over the Years" . centerforpolitics.org . 18 May 2017. Retrieved 2019-11-23 .^ "Constitution of Alabama 1901" . Alabama Legislature . Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "The Constitution of the State of Alaska" . Lieutenant Governor of Alaska . Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "Constitution of Arizona: Article V, Section 6" . Arizona Legislature . Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "Constitution of the State of Arkansas of 1874" (PDF) . Arkansas Legislature . Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "Constitution of California: Article V, Section 10" . California Legislature . Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "Government Code, Article 5.5, Section 12058 — Succession to the Office of Governor" . California Legislature . Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "Government Code, Article 5.5, Section 12061 — Succession to the Office of Governor in the Event of War or Enemy-Caused Disaster" . California Legislature . Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "Constitution of Colorado: Article IV, Section 13" . LexisNexis . Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "Constitution of Connecticut" . Connecticut General Assembly the original on September 1, 2022. Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "Constitution of Delaware: Article III, Section 20" . State of Delaware . Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "Constitution of Florida: Article IV, Section 3" . Florida Legislature the original on December 8, 2008. Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "Florida Statutes 14.055" . Law Server . Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "Georgia Constitution of 1983: Article V" . Georgia Info . Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "The Constitution of the State of Hawaii: Article V" . Hawaii Legislative Reference Bureau . Archived from the original on February 1, 2021. Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "2013 Revised Hawaii Statutes 26-2: Order of succession to offices of governor and lieutenant governor" . Justia . Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ a b c d e "Hawaii Department Directors and Deputies" . Office of the Governor, State of Hawaii . Retrieved May 12, 2023 .^ "Constitution of the State of Idaho: Article IV — Executive Department" . Secretary of State of Idaho . Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "Constitution of the State of Illinois" . Illinois General Assembly . Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "Illinois Compiled Statutes 15 ILCS 5 — Governor Succession Act" . Illinois General Assembly . Retrieved August 23, 2019 .^ "Current Indiana Constitution as amended" . Indiana General Assembly . Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "1857 Constitution of the State of Iowa" (PDF) . Iowa General Assembly . Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "Article I: 75–125" . Kansas Legislature . Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "Emergency Interim Executive and Judicial Succession Act of 1994" . Kansas Legislature . Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "Constitution of Kentucky, Section 84" . Kentucky General Assembly . Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "Constitution of Kentucky, Section 85" . Kentucky General Assembly . Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "Constitution of Kentucky, Section 87" . Kentucky General Assembly . Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "Constitution of Louisiana: Article IV. Executive Branch" . Louisiana Senate . Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "Constitution of the State of Maine" . Maine Legislature . Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "Constitution of Maryland: Article II" . Maryland State Archives . Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "Massachusetts Constitution: Article LV" . Massachusetts General Court . Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "State Constitution: Article V, Section 26" . www.legislature.mi.gov . Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "Revised Statutes of 1846 (EXCERPT) – Section 10.2 THE GOVERNOR" . www.legislature.mi.gov . Retrieved May 13, 2021 .^ "Emergency Interim Executive Succession Act" . www.legislature.mi.gov . Retrieved May 11, 2021 .^ "Whitmer - Gov. Whitmer Designates Emergency Interim Successors" . www.michigan.gov . January 25, 2019. Retrieved May 11, 2021 .^ The Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (January 25, 2019). "Gov. Whitmer Designates Emergency Interim Successors" . Michigan.gov . ^ "Constitution of the State of Minnesota: Article V" . Office of the Revisor of Statutes . Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "Constitutional Offices and Duties, Chapter 4: 4.06" . Office of the Revisor of Statutes . Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "The Constitution of the State of Mississippi" (PDF) . Secretary of State of Mississippi . Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "Missouri Constitution Section: Article IV, Section 11(a)" . Missouri General Assembly . Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "The Constitution of the State of Montana: Article VI, Section 6" . Montana Legislature . Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "Montana Code 2-16-511. Vacancy in office of governor and lieutenant governor" . LawServer . Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "Montana Code 2-16-512. Election by legislature if president of senate and speaker unable to assume office of governor" . LawServer . Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "Montana Code 2-16-513. Succession in case of termination or incapacitation of primary successors" . LawServer . Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "Nebraska State Constitution: Article IV-16" . Nebraska Legislature . Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "Nebraska Revised Statute 84-120" . Nebraska Legislature . Retrieved November 20, 2022 .^ "Nebraska Revised Statute 84-121" . Nebraska Legislature . Retrieved November 20, 2022 .^ "Nevada Revised Statutes 223.080" . Nevada Legislature . Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "State Constitution: Part 2" . State of New Hampshire . Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "New Jersey State Constitution 1947" . New Jersey Legislature the original on June 30, 2009. Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "New Jersey Revised Statutes Section 52:14A-4 – Additional successors to office of Governor" . Justia . Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "New Mexico Constitution Art. V, § 7. Succession to office of governor" . FindLaw . Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "New York State Constitution" (PDF) . New York Department of State the original (PDF) on August 5, 2016. Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "Defense Emergency Act 1951" . New York State Senate . Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "North Carolina State Constitution" . North Carolina General Assembly . Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "G.S. §147-11.1 — Succession to office of Governor; Acting Governor" (PDF) . North Carolina General Assembly . Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "Constitution of North Dakota" (PDF) . North Dakota Legislative Assembly . Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "Ohio Constitution, Article III, Section 15" . Ohio Legislature . Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "161.03 Succession to the governorship" . Ohio Revised Code . Retrieved August 22, 2019 .^ "Oklahoma Constitution: Article VI Section 15" . Oklahoma State Courts Network . Retrieved August 23, 2019 .^ "Oregon Constitution" . Oregon Legislature . Retrieved August 23, 2019 .^ "The Constitution of Pennsylvania: Article IV §13 — When Lieutenant Governor to act as Governor" . Pennsylvania General Assembly . Retrieved August 23, 2019 .^ "The Constitution of Pennsylvania: Article IV §14 — Vacancy in office of Lieutenant Governor" . Pennsylvania General Assembly . Retrieved August 23, 2019 .^ "Constitution of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations: Article IX — Of the Executive Power" . Rhode Island General Assembly . Retrieved August 23, 2019 .^ "Article IV, Executive Department" (PDF) . scstatehouse.gov .^ "Section 1-3-120: Vacancy in office of both Governor and Lieutenant Governor" . casetext.com .^ "Section 1-3-130: Disability of Governor, Lieutenant Governor and President of Senate pro tempore" . casetext.com .^ "Section 1-9-30: Emergency interim successors to office of Governor" . casetext.com .^ "Constitution of South Dakota: Article IV §6 — Succession of executive power" . South Dakota Legislative Research Council . Retrieved August 23, 2019 .^ "The Constitution of the State of Tennessee" (PDF) . Tennessee General Assembly . Retrieved August 23, 2019 .^ "S.B. 206 — An Act regulating successorship to the Governor's Office in certain cases" . HathiTrust . Retrieved August 23, 2019 .^ "The Texas Constitution: Article IV — Executive Department" (PDF) . Texas Legislature . Retrieved August 23, 2019 .^ "Section 401.023 — Succession" . Texas Legislature . Retrieved August 23, 2019 .^ "Utah Constitution: Article VII, §11 — Vacancy in office of Governor – Determination of disability" . Utah Legislature . Retrieved August 23, 2019 .^ "Emergency Interim Succession Act" (PDF) . Utah Legislature . Retrieved August 23, 2019 .^ "Constitution of the State of Vermont" . Vermont General Assembly . Retrieved August 23, 2019 .^ "3 V.S.A. § 1 — Vacancy, absence from State" . Vermont General Assembly . Retrieved August 23, 2019 .^ "20 V.S.A. § 183 — Additional successor to office of governor" . Vermont General Assembly . Retrieved August 23, 2019 .^ "Constitution of Virginia: Article V, Section 16 — Succession to the office of Governor" . Virginia's Legislative Information System . Retrieved August 23, 2019 .^ "Washington State Constitution" . Washington State Legislature . Retrieved August 23, 2019 .^ "Constitution of West Virginia: Article VII" . West Virginia State Legislature . Retrieved August 23, 2019 .^ "Wisconsin Constitution" (PDF) . Wisconsin Legislature . Retrieved August 23, 2019 .^ "Constitution of the State of Wyoming" (PDF) . Secretary of State of Wyoming . Retrieved August 23, 2019 .^ "D.C. Code 1–241" . ABF Associates . Retrieved August 23, 2019 .^ "Revised Constitution of American Samoa: Article IV" . American Samoa Bar Association . Retrieved August 23, 2019 .^ "A.S.C.A. § 4.0106 — Line of succession" . American Samoa Bar Association . Retrieved August 23, 2019 .^ "The Organic Act of Guam" (PDF) . The Judiciary of Guam . Retrieved August 23, 2019 .^ "Commonwealth Constitution: Article III — Executive Branch" . CNMI Law Revision Commission . Retrieved August 23, 2019 .^ "Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico: Article IV — The Executive" . Wikisource . Retrieved August 23, 2019 .^ "Ley Núm. 7 del año 2005 (in Spanish)" . LexJuris Puerto Rico . Retrieved August 23, 2019 .^ "Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands" . Office of the Law Revision Counsel . Retrieved August 23, 2019 .^ "3 V.I.C. § 29 — Executive Succession Act of 1972" . LexisNexis . Retrieved August 23, 2019 .
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