List of governors of Georgia

Governor of Georgia
Great Seal of the State of Georgia
Incumbent
Brian Kemp
since January 14, 2019
ResidenceGeorgia Governor's Mansion
Term lengthFour years, renewable once
Inaugural holderArchibald Bulloch
FormationJuly 12, 1775
Salary$139,339 (2013)
WebsiteOfficial website

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 Republican Brian Kemp, who took office on January 14, 2019.

List of Governors

Governors of the State of Georgia
No. Governor Term in office Party Election Lt. Governor
1   Archibald Bulloch 1776
–
1777
(died in office)		 None — Office did not exist
2 Button Gwinnett 1777
–
1778
 None —
3 John A. Treutlen 1778
–
1779
 None —
4 John Houstoun 1779
–
1780
 None —
— Vacant 1780
–
August 6, 1781		 — Government in
chaos after fall
of Savannah
5   John Wereat August 6, 1782
–
November 1783		 None —
6 George Walton November 1783
–
January 4, 1785		 None —
7 Richard Howly January 4, 1780
–
February 5, 1780
(resigned)		 None —
8 Stephen Heard February 18, 1780
–
August 18, 1781		 None —
9 Nathan Brownson August 18, 1781
–
January 3, 1782
(term limited)		 None 1781
10 John Martin January 1, 1782
–
December 31, 1782
(term limited)		 None 1782
11 Lyman Hall January 8, 1783
–
December 9, 1783
(term limited)		 None 1783
12 John Houstoun January 9, 1784
–
January 6, 1785
(term limited)		 None 1784
13 Samuel Elbert January 6, 1785
–
January 9, 1786
(term limited)		 None 1785
14 Edward Telfair January 9, 1786
–
January 9, 1787
(term limited)		 None 1786
15 George Mathews January 9, 1787
–
January 26, 1788
(term limited)		 None 1787
16 George Handley January 26, 1788
–
January 7, 1789
(term limited)		 None 1788
17 George Walton January 7, 1789
–
November 9, 1789
(term limited)		 Democratic-
Republican		 Jan. 1789
18 Edward Telfair November 9, 1789
–
November 7, 1793
(lost election)		 Democratic-
Republican		 Nov. 1789
1791
19 George Mathews November 7, 1793
–
January 15, 1796
(not candidate for election)		 Democratic-
Republican		 1793
20 Jared Irwin January 15, 1796
–
January 12, 1798
(not candidate for election)		 Democratic-
Republican		 1795
21 James Jackson January 12, 1798
–
March 3, 1801
(resigned)		 Democratic-
Republican		 1797
1799
22 David Emanuel March 3, 1801
–
November 7, 1801
(not candidate for election)		 Democratic-
Republican		 Succeeded from
President of
the Senate
23 Josiah Tattnall November 7, 1801
–
November 4, 1802
(resigned)		 Democratic-
Republican		 1801
24 John Milledge November 4, 1802
–
September 23, 1806
(resigned)		 Democratic-
Republican		 1802
(special)
1803
1805
25 Jared Irwin September 23, 1806
–
November 10, 1809
(not candidate for election)		 Democratic-
Republican		 Succeeded from
President of
the Senate
1807
26 David Brydie Mitchell November 10, 1809
–
November 5, 1813
(not candidate for election)		 Democratic-
Republican		 1809
1811
27 Peter Early November 5, 1813
–
November 20, 1815
(lost election)		 Democratic-
Republican		 1813
28 David Brydie Mitchell November 20, 1815
–
March 4, 1817
(resigned)		 Democratic-
Republican		 1815
29 William Rabun March 4, 1817
–
October 24, 1819
(died in office)		 Democratic-
Republican		 Succeeded from
President of
the Senate
1817
30 Matthew Talbot October 24, 1819
–
November 5, 1819
(successor took office)		 Democratic-
Republican		 Succeeded from
President of
the Senate
31 John Clark November 5, 1819
–
November 7, 1823
(not candidate for election)		 Democratic-
Republican		 1819
1821
32 George Troup November 7, 1823
–
November 7, 1827
(not candidate for election)		 Democratic-
Republican		 1823
1825
33 John Forsyth November 7, 1827
–
November 4, 1829
(not candidate for election)		 Democratic-
Republican		 1827
34 George Rockingham Gilmer November 4, 1829
–
November 9, 1831
(not candidate for election)		 Democratic-
Republican		 1829
35 Wilson Lumpkin November 9, 1831
–
November 4, 1835
(not candidate for election)		 Union (Democratic) 1831
1833
36 William Schley November 4, 1835
–
November 8, 1837
(not candidate for election)		 Union (Democratic) 1835
37 George Rockingham Gilmer November 8, 1837
–
November 6, 1839
(not candidate for election)		 State Rights (Whig) 1837
38 Charles James McDonald November 6, 1839
–
November 8, 1843
(not candidate for election)		 Union (Democratic) 1839
1841
39 George W. Crawford November 8, 1843
–
November 3, 1847
(not candidate for election)		 Whig 1843
1845
40 George W. Towns November 3, 1847
–
November 5, 1851
(not candidate for election)		 Democratic 1847
1849
41 Howell Cobb November 5, 1851
–
November 9, 1853
(not candidate for election)		 Constitutional Union 1851
42 Herschel Vespasian Johnson November 9, 1853
–
November 6, 1857
(not candidate for election)		 Democratic 1853
1855
43 Joseph E. Brown November 6, 1857
–
June 17, 1865
(resigned)		 Democratic 1857
1859
1861
1863
44 James Johnson June 17, 1865
–
December 14, 1865
(provisional term ended)		 Democratic Provisional
governor
appointed by
President
45 Charles J. Jenkins December 14, 1865
–
January 13, 1868
(not candidate for election)		 Democratic 1865
46 Thomas H. Ruger January 13, 1868
–
July 4, 1868
(state readmitted)		 — Military
occupation
47 Rufus Bullock July 4, 1868
–
October 30, 1871
(resigned)		 Republican 1868
48 Benjamin F. Conley October 30, 1871
–
January 12, 1872		 Republican President of
the Senate
acting as
Governor
49 James Milton Smith January 12, 1872
–
January 12, 1877
(not candidate for election)		 Democratic 1871
(special)
1872
50 Alfred H. Colquitt January 12, 1877
–
November 4, 1882
(not candidate for election)		 Democratic 1876
1880
51 Alexander H. Stephens November 4, 1882
–
March 4, 1883
(died in office)		 Democratic 1882
52 James S. Boynton March 4, 1883
–
May 10, 1883
(not candidate for election)		 Democratic President of
the Senate
acting as
Governor
53 Henry Dickerson McDaniel May 10, 1883
–
November 9, 1886
(not candidate for election)		 Democratic 1883
(special)
1884
54 John Brown Gordon November 9, 1886
–
November 8, 1890
(term limited)		 Democratic 1886
1888
55 William J. Northen November 8, 1890
–
October 27, 1894
(term limited)		 Democratic 1890
1892
56 William Yates Atkinson October 27, 1894
–
October 29, 1898
(term limited)		 Democratic 1894
1896
57 Allen D. Candler October 29, 1898
–
October 25, 1902
(term limited)		 Democratic 1898
1900
58 Joseph M. Terrell October 25, 1902
–
June 29, 1907
(term limited)		 Democratic 1902
1904
59 M. Hoke Smith June 29, 1907
–
June 26, 1909
(not candidate for election)		 Democratic 1906
60 Joseph Mackey Brown June 26, 1909
–
July 1, 1911
(not candidate for election)		 Democratic 1908
61 M. Hoke Smith July 1, 1911
–
November 15, 1911
(resigned)		 Democratic 1910
62 John M. Slaton November 16, 1911
–
January 25, 1912
(not candidate for election)		 Democratic President of
the Senate
acting as
Governor
63 Joseph Mackey Brown January 25, 1912
–
June 28, 1913
(not candidate for election)		 Democratic 1912
(special)
64 John M. Slaton June 28, 1913
–
June 26, 1915
(not candidate for election)		 Democratic 1912
65 Nathaniel Edwin Harris June 26, 1915
–
June 30, 1917
(not candidate for election)		 Democratic 1914
66 Hugh Dorsey June 30, 1917
–
June 25, 1921
(term limited)		 Democratic 1916
1918
67 Thomas W. Hardwick June 25, 1921
–
June 30, 1923
(not candidate for election)		 Democratic 1920
68 Clifford Walker June 30, 1923
–
June 25, 1927
(term limited)		 Democratic 1922
1924
69 Lamartine Griffin Hardman June 25, 1927
–
June 27, 1931
(term limited)		 Democratic 1926
1928
70 Richard Russell Jr. June 27, 1931
–
January 10, 1933
(not candidate for election)		 Democratic 1930
71 Eugene Talmadge January 10, 1933
–
January 12, 1937
(term limited)		 Democratic 1932
1934
72 Eurith D. Rivers January 12, 1937
–
January 14, 1941
(term limited)		 Democratic 1936
1938
73 Eugene Talmadge January 14, 1941
–
January 12, 1943
(not candidate for election)		 Democratic 1940
74 Ellis Arnall January 12, 1943
–
January 14, 1947
(term limited)		 Democratic 1942
— Eugene Talmadge Died before taking office Democratic 1946   Melvin E. Thompson
— Herman Talmadge January 14, 1947
–
March 18, 1947
(removed from office)		 Democratic
75 Melvin E. Thompson March 18, 1947
–
November 17, 1948
(lost election)		 Democratic Succeeded from
Lieutenant
Governor		 Vacant
76 Herman Talmadge November 17, 1948
–
January 11, 1955
(term limited)		 Democratic 1948
(special)		 Marvin Griffin
1950
77 Marvin Griffin January 11, 1951
–
January 13, 1956
(term limited)		 Democratic 1954 Ernest Vandiver
78 Ernest Vandiver January 13, 1956
–
January 15, 1963
(term limited)		 Democratic 1958 Garland T. Byrd
79 Carl Sanders January 15, 1963
–
January 11, 1967
(term limited)		 Democratic 1962 Peter Zack Geer
80 Lester Maddox January 11, 1967
–
January 12, 1971
(term limited)		 Democratic 1966 George T. Smith
81 Jimmy Carter January 12, 1971
–
January 14, 1975
(term limited)		 Democratic 1970 Lester Maddox
82 George Busbee January 14, 1975
–
January 11, 1983
(term limited)		 Democratic 1974 Zell Miller
1978
83 Joe Frank Harris January 11, 1983
–
January 14, 1991
(term limited)		 Democratic 1982
1986
84 Zell Miller January 14, 1991
–
January 11, 1999
(term limited)		 Democratic 1990 Pierre Howard
1994
85 Roy Barnes January 11, 1999
–
January 13, 2003
(lost election)		 Democratic 1998 Mark Taylor
86 Sonny Perdue January 13, 2003
–
January 10, 2011
(term limited)		 Republican 2002
2006 Casey Cagle
87 Nathan Deal January 10, 2011
–
January 14, 2019
(term limited)		 Republican 2010
2014
88 Brian Kemp January 14, 2019
–
present		 Republican 2018 Geoff Duncan

Living former Governors of Georgia

As of February 2026, there are four living former Governors of Georgia, the oldest being Joe Frank Harris, who served as the 78th Governor of Georgia (served 1983-1991), at 90. The most recent death of a former governor was that of Jimmy Carter, who served as the 78th Governor of Georgia from 1971-1975 and later as the 39th President of the United States, on December 29, 2024.

Notes

  1. ↑ Data is sourced from the Official and Statistical Register of Georgia, 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.
  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.
  6. ↑ The date given is the capture of Savannah, where the New Georgia Encyclopedia says his last official act as governor was to flee.
  7. 1 2 3 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) 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."
  8. ↑ Howly resigned to be a delegate to the Continental Congress.
  9. 1 2 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.
  10. ↑ Some sources say Myrick Davies was elected in August 1780 and served until his death; however, he is omitted from the official state register.
  11. ↑ James Jackson was elected in 1788, but declined the position, citing inexperience.
  12. ↑ First term under the 1789 constitution, which lengthened terms to two years.
  13. ↑ Jackson resigned to take an elected seat in the United States Senate.
  14. ↑ Tattnall resigned due to declining health.
  15. ↑ Milledge resigned to take an elected seat in the United States Senate.
  16. ↑ Special election for the remainder of Josiah Tattnall's term
  17. ↑ Mitchell resigned to be agent to the Creek Indians.
  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.
  19. ↑ Brown resigned following the defeat of the Confederate States of America.
  20. ↑ At least one source states Johnson left office "five days after" Jenkins took office, which would be December 19. However, more contemporary sources say he left office on December 14.
  21. ↑ Johnson was appointed provisional governor by the Union occupation.
  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.
  23. ↑ Provisional governor appointed by General George Meade
  24. ↑ Some sources state Bullock took office on July 21, but more contemporary sources say July 4.
  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.
  26. ↑ Bullock resigned and fled the state to avoid impeachment; he was arrested in 1876 and found not guilty of embezzlement.
  27. ↑ First term under the 1868 constitution, which lengthened terms to four years.
  28. ↑ Special election for the remainder of Rufus Bullock's term
  29. ↑ First term under the 1877 constitution, which shortened terms to two years.
  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
  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.
  34. ↑ Smith resigned to take an elected seat in the United States Senate.
  35. ↑ Special election for the remainder of Hoke Smith's term
  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.
  37. ↑ First term under the 1941 amendment to the constitution, which lengthened terms to four years.
  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.
  39. ↑ Special election to fill Eugene Talmadge's term
  40. ↑ Represented the Democratic Party
  41. ↑ Kemp's first term expires January 9, 2023.

References

  1. ↑ "CSG Releases 2013 Governor Salaries". The Council of State Governments. June 25, 2013. Archived from the original on October 22, 2014. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  2. 1 2 "Georgia Official and Statistical Register, 1977-1978 - page 1145". Digital Library of Georgia. Archived from the original on January 16, 2019. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  3. ↑ "Button Gwinnett". National Governors Association. 12 January 2015. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  4. ↑ "John Houstoun". New Georgia Encyclopedia. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  5. ↑ Fleming, Berry (2009). Autobiography of a Colony: The First Half-Century of Augusta, Georgia. University of Georgia Press. p. 127. ISBN 978-0-8203-3442-4. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  6. ↑ "Political Changes in Georgia 1775-1787" (PDF). Georgia Department of Education. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  7. ↑ "Richard Howley". National Governors Association. 12 January 2015. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  8. ↑ Cashin, Edward J. (1974). ""The Famous Colonel Wells:" Factionalism in Revolutionary Georgia". The Georgia Historical Quarterly. 58: 137–156. JSTOR 40579633.
  9. ↑ "Stephen Heard". New Georgia Encyclopedia. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  10. 1 2 "James Jackson". National Governors Association. 12 January 2015. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
  11. ↑ 1789 Const. art. 2, § 1
  12. ↑ "Josiah Tattnall". National Governors Association. 12 January 2015. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  13. ↑ "John Milledge". National Governors Association. 12 January 2015. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  14. ↑ "Georgia 1802 Governor, Special". Tufts University. Archived from the original on September 13, 2016. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
  15. ↑ "David Brydie Mitchell". National Governors Association. 12 January 2015. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  16. ↑ Otto, John Henry (2004). Memoirs of a Dutch Mudsill. Kent State University Press. ISBN 978-0-87338-799-6.
  17. ↑ "Joseph Emerson Brown". National Governors Association. 12 January 2015. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  18. 1 2 "James Johnson". National Governors Association. 12 January 2015. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
  19. 1 2 John Hanson Thomas McPherson (1896). The Government of the People of the State of Georgia. Eldredge & Brother. pp. 184–186. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  20. ↑ "Charles Jones Jenkins (1805-1883)". New Georgia Encyclopedia. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  21. ↑ "Thomas Ruger (1833-1907)". New Georgia Encyclopedia. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  22. 1 2 "This Day in Georgia History - October 23, 1871: Rufus Bullock Resigned". Georgia Library Learning Online. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  23. ↑ 1868 Const. art. IV, § 1
  24. ↑ "James Milton Smith". National Governors Association. 12 January 2015. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  25. ↑ 1877 Const. art. 5, § 1 par. 2
  26. ↑ "Henry Dickerson McDaniel". National Governors Association. 12 January 2015. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  27. ↑ Congress, United States. (1919). Official Congressional Directory. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 17. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  28. ↑ "Hoke Smith". National Governors Association. 12 January 2015. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  29. ↑ "Joseph Mackey Brown". National Governors Association. 12 January 2015. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  30. ↑ "Richard Brevard Russell". National Governors Association. 12 January 2015. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
  31. ↑ "Georgia's Official Register, 1939-1941-1943" (PDF). Georgia Department of Archives and History. p. 6. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
  32. 1 2 "Three Governors Controversy". New Georgia Encyclopedia. Retrieved June 21, 2019.