| Governor of Arizona | |
|---|---|
| 👁 Image | |
| Style |
|
| Type | Head of state Head of government |
| Member of | Arizona Executive Branch Arizona Cabinet |
| Residence | No official residence |
| Seat | Phoenix, Arizona |
| Appointer | Popular election |
| Term length | Four years, renewable once[a] |
| Constituting instrument | Constitution of Arizona |
| Inaugural holder | George W. P. Hunt |
| Formation | February 14, 1912 |
| Salary | $95,000 (2013)[1] |
| Website | www.azgovernor.gov |
The governor of Arizona is the head of state and government of the U.S. state of Arizona and the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces. The governor is also the head of the executive branch of the state government and is the chairwoman of the gubernatorial cabinet.
Katie Hobbs is the 24th and current governor of Arizona, in office since January 2023.
Powers and duties
[change | change source]The governor has the power to enforce state laws and the duty to either approve or veto bills passed by the Arizona Legislature or the Arizona Senate to assemble the legislature and grant pardons, except in cases of impeachment.
Eligibility & requirements
[change | change source]Article V, Section 2 of the state's constitution states for a person to serve as governor must:
- be at least 25 years old
- be a qualified voter in Arizona
- have been a citizen of the United States for 10 years
- have been a resident of Arizona for at least five years.
Election process and gubernatorial term limits
[change | change source]The governor is elected by the people through the popular election to a four-year term. The gubernatorial candidate or incumbent governor must have the majority of the popular vote in order to win the election.
The state's constitution forbids anyone from being elected governor more than twice. The state constitution, however, does not state that these are not lifeterm term limits and permits for the governor to run for a third term after their successor has served a full term as Governor.[b]
List of governors of Arizona
[change | change source]| No.[c] | Governor | Term in office | Party | Election | Terms | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 👁 Image |
George W. P. Hunt | February 14, 1912[5]
– January 1, 1917 (lost election)[d] |
Democratic | 1911 | 2 | |
| 1914 | |||||||
| 2 | 👁 Image |
Thomas Edward Campbell
(1878–1944) [6] |
January 1, 1917[7]
– December 25, 1917 (removed from office) |
Republican | 1916[d] | 1⁄2[e] | |
| 1 | 👁 Image |
George W. P. Hunt | December 25, 1917[13]
– January 6, 1919 (did not run) |
Democratic | 1⁄2[e] | ||
| 2 | 👁 Image |
Thomas Edward Campbell
(1878–1944) [6] |
January 6, 1919[15]
– January 1, 1923 (lost election) |
Republican | 1918 | 2 | |
| 1920 | |||||||
| 1 | 👁 Image |
George W. P. Hunt | January 1, 1923
– January 7, 1929 (lost election) |
Democratic | 1922 | 3 | |
| 1924 | |||||||
| 1926 | |||||||
| 3 | 👁 Image |
John Calhoun Phillips
(1870–1943) [6] |
January 7, 1929
– January 3, 1931 (lost election) |
Republican | 1928 | 1 | |
| - | |||||||
| 1 | 👁 Image |
George W. P. Hunt
(1859–1934) [6] |
January 3, 1931
– January 2, 1933 (lost nomination) |
Democratic | 1930 | 1 | |
| - | |||||||
| 4 | 👁 Image |
Benjamin Baker Moeur
(1869–1937) [6] |
January 2, 1933
– January 4, 1937 (lost nomination) |
Democratic | 1932 | 2 | |
| 1934 | |||||||
| 5 | 👁 Image |
Rawghlie Clement Stanford
(1879–1963) [6] |
January 4, 1937
– January 2, 1939 (did not run) |
Democratic | 1936 | 1 | |
| 6 | 👁 Image |
Robert Taylor Jones
(1884–1958) [6] |
January 2, 1939
– January 6, 1941 (lost nomination) |
Democratic | 1938 | 1 | |
| - | |||||||
| 7 | 👁 Image |
Sidney Preston Osborn
(1884–1948) [6] |
January 6, 1941
– May 25, 1948 (died in office) |
Democratic | 1940 | 31⁄2[16] | |
| 1942 | |||||||
| 1944 | |||||||
| 1946 | |||||||
| 8 | 👁 Image |
Dan Edward Garvey
(1886–1974) [6] |
May 25, 1948
– January 1, 1951 (lost nomination) |
Democratic | Succeeded from secretary of state |
11⁄2[17] | |
| 1948 | |||||||
| 9 | 👁 Image |
John Howard Pyle
(1906–1987) [6] |
January 1, 1951
– January 3, 1955 (lost election) |
Republican | 1950 | 2 | |
| 1952 | |||||||
| 10 | 👁 Image |
Ernest McFarland
(1894–1984) [6] |
January 3, 1955
– January 5, 1959 (did not run) |
Democratic | 1954 | 2 | |
| 1956 | |||||||
| 11 | 👁 Image |
Paul Fannin
(1907–2002) [6] |
January 5, 1959
– January 4, 1965 (did not run) |
Republican | 1958 | 3 | |
| 1960 | |||||||
| 1962 | |||||||
| 12 | 👁 Image |
Samuel Pearson Goddard Jr.
(1919–2006) [6] |
January 4, 1965
– January 2, 1967 (lost election) |
Democratic | 1964 | 1 | |
| 13 | 👁 Image |
Jack Williams
(1909–1998) [6] |
January 2, 1967
– January 6, 1975 (did not run) |
Republican | 1966 | 2 | |
| 1968 | |||||||
| 1970 | |||||||
| 14 | 👁 Image |
Raúl Héctor Castro
(1916–2015) [6] |
January 6, 1975
– October 20, 1977[f] (resigned) |
Democratic | 1974 | 1⁄3[g] | |
| 15 | 👁 Image |
Wesley Bolin
(1909–1978) [6] |
October 20, 1977
– March 4, 1978 (lost election) |
Democratic | Succeeded from secretary of state |
1⁄3[h][19] | |
| 16 | 👁 Image |
Bruce Babbitt (b. 1938) |
March 4, 1978
– January 5, 1987 (did not run) |
Democratic | Succeeded from attorney general |
21⁄3[i] | |
| 1978 | |||||||
| 1982 | |||||||
| 17 | 👁 Image |
Evan Mecham
(1924–2002) |
January 5, 1987
– April 4, 1988 (impeached and removed)[j] |
Republican | 1986 | 1⁄2 | |
| 18 | 👁 Image |
Rose Mofford
(1922–2016) |
April 4, 1988
– March 6, 1991 (did not run) |
Democratic | Succeeded from secretary of state |
1⁄2[k] | |
| 19 | 👁 Image |
Fife Symington
(b. 1945) |
March 6, 1991
– September 5, 1997 (lost election) |
Republican | 1990-1991 | 11⁄2[l][m][n] | |
| 1994 | |||||||
| 20 | 👁 Image |
Jane Dee Hull
(1935–2020) |
September 5, 1997–
January 6, 2003 (term-limited)[o] |
Republican | Succeeded from secretary of state |
11⁄2[p][n] | |
| 1998 | |||||||
| 21 | 👁 Image |
Janet Napolitano
(b. 1957) |
January 6, 2003[28]
– January 20, 2009 (lost election) |
Democratic | 2002 | 11⁄2[29] | |
| 2006 | |||||||
| 21 | 👁 Image |
Jan Brewer
(b. 1944) |
January 20, 2009[30]
– January 1, 1923 (lost election) |
Republican | Succeeded from secretary of state |
11⁄2[p] | |
| 2010 | |||||||
| 22 | 👁 Image |
Doug Ducey
(b. 1964) |
January 6, 1919[31]
– January 1, 1923 (lost election) |
Republican | 2014 | 2 | |
| 2018 | |||||||
| 23 | 👁 Image |
Katie Hobbs
(b. 1969) |
January 2, 2023[32]
– Incumbent (running for re-election) |
Democratic | 2022 | 3⁄4[33] | |
Living former Governors of Arizona
[change | change source]As of February 2026, there are five living former Governors of Arizona, the oldest being Bruce Babbitt, who served as the 16th Governor from 1978-1987 at 87. The most recent death of a former governor was that of Jane Dee Hull, who served as the 20th Governor and the first elected female governor from 1997-2003 on April 16, 2020.
Notes
[change | change source]- ↑ After two full terms have been served as Governor by an individual, they may run and serve again as governor after their successor has served one full term as Governor, as mentioned in Article 5, Section 1 of the Arizona State Constitution.
- ↑ After two full terms have been served as Governor by an individual, they may run and serve again as governor after their successor has served one full term as Governor, as mentioned in Article 5, Section 1 of the Arizona State Constitution.
- ↑ The governor's website labeled Katie Hobbs as the 24th governor;[2] based on this, each governor is numbered only once, regardless of how many distinct terms they served. Repeat terms are listed with the governor's original number in italics.
- 1 2 Initial results showed that Campbell had won by 30 votes, but Hunt challenged the results, claiming that several precincts had experienced fraudulent voting.[8] The Arizona Supreme Court named Campbell governor on January 27, 1917, and forced Hunt to surrender his office.[9] Hunt continued fighting in court, and on December 22, was declared the winner of the election by 43 votes.[10] Campbell vacated the office three days later.[11]
- 1 2 Thomas Edward Campbell's close election win was overturned by the Arizona Supreme Court on December 22, 1917, which, following a recount, gave the office to George W. P. Hunt. Campbell would leave the office three days later.[12] Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "campbell" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ Castro resigned, having been confirmed as United States Ambassador to Argentina.[18]
- ↑ Castro resigned, having been confirmed as United States Ambassador to Argentina.[18]
- ↑ Cite error: The named reference
diedwas used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page). - ↑ The secretary of state at the time of Bolin's death had been appointed, not elected, and thus not in the line of succession according to the Arizona constitution,[20] making Attorney General Babbitt governor.[21]
- ↑ Mecham was impeached and removed from office on charges of obstruction of justice and misuse of government funds,[22] though he was later acquitted.[23]
- ↑ Cite error: The named reference
ssfilledwas used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page). - ↑ Arizona adopted runoff voting after Evan Mecham won with only 43% of the vote. The 1990 election was very close, and a runoff was held on February 26, 1991, which Symington won, and he was inaugurated on March 6, 1991.[24]
- ↑ Resigned after being convicted of bank fraud, since state law does not allow felons to hold office; the conviction was later overturned and he was pardoned by President Bill Clinton.[25]
- 1 2 Fife Symington resigned on September 5, 1997; Jane Dee Hull did not take the oath of office until September 8, but she was governor for those three days regardless of the delay.[26]
- ↑ Under a 1992 amendment to the state constitution, governors who have served two back to back terms are not able to serve again until another full term has passed.[27]
- 1 2 Cite error: The named reference
sselectedwas used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page).
References
[change | change source]- ↑ "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.
- ↑ "Meet Governor Katie Hobbs". State of Arizona. December 11, 2014. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
- 1 2 3 Sobel 1978, pp.49–50.
- 1 2 3 "George Wylie Hunt". National Governors Association. January 7, 2019. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
- ↑ "Bright Folds of Old Glory Have New Star". Arizona Republic. 1912-02-15. p.1. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Sobel 1978, pp.50–51.
- ↑ "Campbell inaugurated January 1". The Arizona Republic. 1917-01-02. p.1. Retrieved 2026-02-10.
- ↑ "Gov. Hunt Refuses to Yield Office". New York Times. January 2, 1917. p.4.
- ↑ "Gov. Hunt Put Out of Office by Court". New York Times. January 28, 1917. p.14.
- ↑ "Court Declares Hunt Governor of Arizona". New York Times. December 23, 1917. p.5.
- ↑ Cite error: The named reference
nga-huntwas used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page). - ↑ "Arizona Governor Thomas Edward Campbell". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 10, 2009. Retrieved October 13, 2008.
- ↑ "Gubernatorial Change Will Bring Executive Chair As Christmas Gift to Mr. Hunt". Arizona Republic. 1917-12-25. p.1. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
- "Arizona Governor Thomas Edward Campbell". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 10, 2009. Retrieved October 13, 2008.
- ↑ "Campbell Again Is Arizona Governor". Arizona Republic. 1919-01-07. p.1. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
- ↑ Died in office.
- ↑ As secretary of state, filled unexpired term, and was subsequently elected in their own right.
- 1 2 Sobel 1978, p.59.
- ↑ As secretary of state, filled unexpired term.
- ↑ Cite error: The named reference
governor-replacement_const-5,6was used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page). - ↑ Cite error: The named reference
nga-babbittwas used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page). - ↑ Cite error: The named reference
nga-mechamwas used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page). - ↑ Sullivan, Patricia (February 23, 2008). "Evan Mecham, 83; Was Removed as Arizona Governor". Washington Post. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
- ↑ Mullaney, Marie Marmo (1994). Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1988–1994. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp.29–30. ISBN0-313-28312-5. Retrieved October 11, 2008.
- ↑ "Arizona Governor J. Fife Symington III". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 9, 2009. Retrieved October 13, 2008.
- ↑ Todd S., Purdum (1997-09-04). "Arizona Governor Convicted Of Fraud and Will Step Down". The New York Times. Retrieved October 11, 2008.
- ↑ "Ariz. Const. amend. 176". www.stateconstitutions.umd.edu. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
- ↑ "Campbell Again Is Arizona Governor". Arizona Republic. 1919-01-07. p.1. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
- ↑ Resigned to become U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security.
- ↑ "Campbell Again Is Arizona Governor". Arizona Republic. 1919-01-07. p.1. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
- ↑ "Campbell Again Is Arizona Governor". Arizona Republic. 1919-01-07. p.1. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
- ↑ "Campbell Again Is Arizona Governor". Arizona Republic. 1919-01-07. p.1. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
- ↑ Governor Hobbs's term expires on January 5, 2027.
