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List of governors of Georgia facts for kids

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The governor of Georgia is the head of government of Georgia and the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces. The current officeholder is Republican Brian Kemp, who assumed office on January 14, 2019.

There have officially been 77 governors of the State of Georgia, including 11 who served more than one distinct term (John Houstoun, George Walton, Edward Telfair, George Mathews, Jared Irwin, David Brydie Mitchell, George Rockingham Gilmer, M. Hoke Smith, Joseph Mackey Brown, John M. Slaton and Eugene Talmadge, with Herman Talmadge serving two de facto distinct terms).

The longest-serving governors are George Busbee, Joe Frank Harris, Zell Miller, Sonny Perdue and Nathan Deal, each of whom served two full four-year terms; Joseph E. Brown, governor during the Civil War, was elected four times, serving seven and a half years. The shortest term of the post-revolutionary period is that of Matthew Talbot, who served 13 days after succeeding his predecessor who died in office. Eugene Talmadge died in December 1946 before taking office in his second distinct term, leading to a dispute in which three people claimed the office.

Governors

Governors of the State of Georgia
No. Governor Term in office Party Election Lt. Governor
7 Archibald Bulloch 1.jpg   Archibald Bulloch January 22, 1776

February 22, 1777
(died in office)
None Office did not exist
8 Button Gwinnett.jpg Button Gwinnett March 4, 1777

May 8, 1777
None
9 John Adam Treutlen.jpg John A. Treutlen May 8, 1777

January 10, 1778
None
10 Portrait of John Houstoun.png John Houstoun January 10, 1778

December 29, 1778
None
Vacant
Chairman of the Executive Council (Governor)
John Houstoun January 10, 1778 – January 7, 1779
William Glascock January 7, 1779 – July 24, 1779
Seth John Cuthbert July 24, 1779 – August 6, 1779
December 29, 1778

August 6, 1779
Government in
chaos after fall
of Savannah
11 John Wereat.jpg   John Wereat August 6, 1779

November 1779
None
12 George Walton (ca 1749-1804).jpg George Walton November 1779

January 4, 1780
None
13 Richard Howly January 4, 1780

February 5, 1780
(resigned)
George Wells February 6, 1780

February 16, 1780
None
14 Stephen Heard.jpg Stephen Heard February 18, 1780

August 18, 1781
None
Myrick Davies August 1780

August 16, 1781
None
15 Nathan Brownson August 18, 1781

January 3, 1782
(term limited)
None 1781
16 John Martin January 3, 1782

January 8, 1783
(term limited)
None 1782
17 Lyman Hall.jpg Lyman Hall January 8, 1783

January 9, 1784
(term limited)
None 1783
10 Portrait of John Houstoun.png John Houstoun January 9, 1784

January 6, 1785
(term limited)
None 1784
18 SamuelElbert01.jpg Samuel Elbert January 6, 1785

January 9, 1786
(term limited)
None 1785
19 Edward Telfair.jpg Edward Telfair January 9, 1786

January 9, 1787
(term limited)
None 1786
20 Gen. George Mathews profile.png George Mathews January 9, 1787

January 26, 1788
(term limited)
None 1787
21 George Handley January 26, 1788

January 7, 1789
(term limited)
None 1788
12 George Walton.jpg George Walton January 7, 1789

November 9, 1789
(term limited)
Democratic-
Republican
Jan. 1789
19 Edward Telfair.jpg Edward Telfair November 9, 1789

November 7, 1793
(lost election)
Democratic-
Republican
Nov. 1789
1791
20 Gen. George Mathews profile.png George Mathews November 7, 1793

January 15, 1796
(not candidate for election)
Democratic-
Republican
1793
22 Jared Irwin.jpg Jared Irwin January 15, 1796

January 12, 1798
(not candidate for election)
Democratic-
Republican
1795
23 JamesJackson.jpg James Jackson January 12, 1798

March 3, 1801
(resigned)
Democratic-
Republican
1797
1799
24 David Emanuel March 3, 1801

November 7, 1801
(not candidate for election)
Democratic-
Republican
Succeeded from
President of
the Senate
25 Josiah Tattnall November 7, 1801

November 4, 1802
(resigned)
Democratic-
Republican
1801
26 Milledge.jpg John Milledge November 4, 1802

September 23, 1806
(resigned)
Democratic-
Republican
1802
(special)
1803
1805
22 Jared Irwin.jpg Jared Irwin September 23, 1806

November 10, 1809
(not candidate for election)
Democratic-
Republican
Succeeded from
President of
the Senate
1807
27 Davidbrydiemitchell.jpg David Brydie Mitchell November 10, 1809

November 5, 1813
(not candidate for election)
Democratic-
Republican
1809
1811
28 GovernorPeterEarly.jpg Peter Early November 5, 1813

November 20, 1815
(lost election)
Democratic-
Republican
1813
27 Davidbrydiemitchell.jpg 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.jpg Matthew Talbot October 24, 1819

November 5, 1819
(successor took office)
Democratic-
Republican
Succeeded from
President of
the Senate
31 John Clark.jpg John Clark November 5, 1819

November 7, 1823
(not candidate for election)
Democratic-
Republican
1819
1821
32 George M. Troup.jpg George Troup November 7, 1823

November 7, 1827
(not candidate for election)
Democratic-
Republican
1823
1825
33 John Forsyth US Secretary of State.jpg John Forsyth November 7, 1827

November 4, 1829
(not candidate for election)
Democratic-
Republican
1827
34 George Rockingham Gilmer.jpg George Rockingham Gilmer November 4, 1829

November 9, 1831
(not candidate for election)
Democratic-
Republican
1829
35 Wilson Lumpkin.jpg Wilson Lumpkin November 9, 1831

November 4, 1835
(not candidate for election)
Union (Democratic) 1831
1833
36 William Schley.jpg William Schley November 4, 1835

November 8, 1837
(not candidate for election)
Union (Democratic) 1835
34 George Rockingham Gilmer.jpg George Rockingham Gilmer November 8, 1837

November 6, 1839
(not candidate for election)
State Rights (Whig) 1837
37 CharlesJamesMcDonald.jpg Charles James McDonald November 6, 1839

November 8, 1843
(not candidate for election)
Union (Democratic) 1839
1841
38 GeorgeWCrawford.jpg George W. Crawford November 8, 1843

November 3, 1847
(not candidate for election)
Whig 1843
1845
39 GeorgeWashTowns.jpg George W. Towns November 3, 1847

November 5, 1851
(not candidate for election)
Democratic 1847
1849
40 Howell Cobb-crop.jpg Howell Cobb November 5, 1851

November 9, 1853
(not candidate for election)
Constitutional Union 1851
41 Herschel V. Johnson cph.3a02862.jpg Herschel Vespasian Johnson November 9, 1853

November 6, 1857
(not candidate for election)
Democratic 1853
1855
42 Joseph Emerson Brown.jpg Joseph E. Brown November 6, 1857

June 17, 1865
(resigned)
Democratic 1857
1859
1861
1863
43 JJohnson Governor.jpg James Johnson June 17, 1865

December 14, 1865
(provisional term ended)
Democratic Provisional
governor
appointed by
President
44 CharJenkins.jpg Charles J. Jenkins December 14, 1865

January 13, 1868
(not candidate for election)
Democratic 1865
45 Thomas H. Ruger.jpg Thomas H. Ruger January 13, 1868

July 4, 1868
(state readmitted)
Military
occupation
46 Rufus Bullock - Brady-Handy.jpg Rufus Bullock July 4, 1868

October 30, 1871
(resigned)
Republican 1868
47 Benjamin Conley.jpg Benjamin F. Conley October 30, 1871

January 12, 1872
Republican President of
the Senate
acting as
Governor
48 JamesMiltonSmith.jpg James Milton Smith January 12, 1872

January 12, 1877
(not candidate for election)
Democratic 1871
(special)
1872
49 Alfred Holt Colquitt.jpg Alfred H. Colquitt January 12, 1877

November 4, 1882
(not candidate for election)
Democratic 1876
1880
50 Alexander Stephens.jpg Alexander H. Stephens November 4, 1882

March 4, 1883
(died in office)
Democratic 1882
51 James S. Boynton.jpg James S. Boynton March 4, 1883

May 10, 1883
(not candidate for election)
Democratic President of
the Senate
acting as
Governor
52 HenryDickersonMcDaniel.jpg Henry Dickerson McDaniel May 10, 1883

November 9, 1886
(not candidate for election)
Democratic 1883
(special)
1884
53 Jbgordon.jpg John Brown Gordon November 9, 1886

November 8, 1890
(term limited)
Democratic 1886
1888
54 William J. Northen.jpg William J. Northen November 8, 1890

October 27, 1894
(term limited)
Democratic 1890
1892
55 William Yates Atkinson.jpg William Yates Atkinson October 27, 1894

October 29, 1898
(term limited)
Democratic 1894
1896
56 Allen D. Candler.jpg Allen D. Candler October 29, 1898

October 25, 1902
(term limited)
Democratic 1898
1900
57 JosephMTerrell.jpg Joseph M. Terrell October 25, 1902

June 29, 1907
(term limited)
Democratic 1902
1904
58 M. Hoke Smith, 1912.jpg M. Hoke Smith June 29, 1907

June 26, 1909
(not candidate for election)
Democratic 1906
59 JosephMacBrown (cropped).jpg Joseph Mackey Brown June 26, 1909

July 1, 1911
(not candidate for election)
Democratic 1908
58 M. Hoke Smith, 1912.jpg M. Hoke Smith July 1, 1911

November 15, 1911
(resigned)
Democratic 1910
60 John Marshall Slaton.jpg John M. Slaton November 16, 1911

January 25, 1912
(not candidate for election)
Democratic President of
the Senate
acting as
Governor
59 JosephMacBrown (cropped).jpg Joseph Mackey Brown January 25, 1912

June 28, 1913
(not candidate for election)
Democratic 1912
(special)
60 John Marshall Slaton.jpg John M. Slaton June 28, 1913

June 26, 1915
(not candidate for election)
Democratic 1912
61 Nathaniel Harris 1882.png Nathaniel Edwin Harris June 26, 1915

June 30, 1917
(not candidate for election)
Democratic 1914
62 Hugh Dorsey.jpg Hugh Dorsey June 30, 1917

June 25, 1921
(term limited)
Democratic 1916
1918
63 Senator Thomas Hardwick.jpg Thomas W. Hardwick June 25, 1921

June 30, 1923
(not candidate for election)
Democratic 1920
64 GovernorCliffWalker.jpg Clifford Walker June 30, 1923

June 25, 1927
(term limited)
Democratic 1922
1924
65 Hardman222.jpg Lamartine Griffin Hardman June 25, 1927

June 27, 1931
(term limited)
Democratic 1926
1928
66 Richard Russell Jr. (GA).png Richard Russell Jr. June 27, 1931

January 10, 1933
(not candidate for election)
Democratic 1930
67 Eugene Talmadge, Georgia Governor.jpg Eugene Talmadge January 10, 1933

January 12, 1937
(term limited)
Democratic 1932
1934
68 E. D. Rivers Georgia Governor.jpg Eurith D. Rivers January 12, 1937

January 14, 1941
(term limited)
Democratic 1936
1938
67 Eugene Talmadge, Georgia Governor.jpg Eugene Talmadge January 14, 1941

January 12, 1943
(not candidate for election)
Democratic 1940
69 Ellis Arnall January 12, 1943

January 14, 1947
(term limited)
Democratic 1942
Eugene Talmadge, Georgia Governor.jpg Eugene Talmadge Died before taking office Democratic 1946   Melvin E. Thompson
Herman Talmadge (GA).jpg Herman Talmadge January 14, 1947

March 18, 1947
(removed from office)
Democratic
70 Melvin Thompson.jpg Melvin E. Thompson March 18, 1947

November 17, 1948
(lost election)
Democratic Succeeded from
Lieutenant
Governor
Vacant
71 Herman Talmadge (GA).jpg Herman Talmadge November 17, 1948

January 11, 1955
(term limited)
Democratic 1948
(special)
Marvin Griffin
1950
72 Marvingriffin (cropped).gif Marvin Griffin January 11, 1955

January 13, 1959
(term limited)
Democratic 1954 Ernest Vandiver
73 Ernest Vandiver (1962).jpg Ernest Vandiver January 13, 1959

January 15, 1963
(term limited)
Democratic 1958 Garland T. Byrd
74 Carl Sanders.jpg Carl Sanders January 15, 1963

January 11, 1967
(term limited)
Democratic 1962 Peter Zack Geer
75 Lester Maddox.jpg Lester Maddox January 11, 1967

January 12, 1971
(term limited)
Democratic 1966 George T. Smith
76 Jimmy Carter official portrait as Governor.jpg Jimmy Carter January 12, 1971

January 14, 1975
(term limited)
Democratic 1970 Lester Maddox
77 George Busbee.jpg George Busbee January 14, 1975

January 11, 1983
(term limited)
Democratic 1974 Zell Miller
1978
78 Joe Frank Harris.jpg Joe Frank Harris January 11, 1983

January 14, 1991
(term limited)
Democratic 1982
1986
79 Zell B Miller (cropped).jpg Zell Miller January 14, 1991

January 11, 1999
(term limited)
Democratic 1990 Pierre Howard
1994
80 Roy Barnes concession speech (cropped).jpg Roy Barnes January 11, 1999

January 13, 2003
(lost election)
Democratic 1998 Mark Taylor
81 Sonny Perdue at rally.jpg Sonny Perdue January 13, 2003

January 10, 2011
(term limited)
Republican 2002
2006 Casey Cagle
82 Nathan Deal, April 25, 2017 (cropped).jpg Nathan Deal January 10, 2011

January 14, 2019
(term limited)
Republican 2010
2014
83 David Perdue and Brian Kemp (cropped).jpg Brian Kemp January 14, 2019

Incumbent
Republican 2018 Geoff Duncan
2022 Burt Jones (elect)

Succession

See also

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