Governor of North Carolina facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Governor of North Carolina
State flag
Gubernatorial seal
Incumbent Josh Stein since January 1, 2025 (2025-01-01)
Government of North Carolina
Member of	Council of State
Residence	Executive Mansion (primary) Western Residence (secondary)
Seat	Raleigh, North Carolina
Term length	Four years, renewable once consecutively
Inaugural holder	Richard Caswell
Formation	1776
Deputy	Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina
Salary	US$203,073 per year (2023)

The governor of North Carolina is like the main leader or "boss" of the U.S. state of North Carolina. Since 1776, 75 different people have been governor. A governor serves for four years. They also lead a group of other elected state officials called the Council of State. The state's rulebook, the constitution, and other laws explain what the governor can do. They are the state's main leader, making sure laws are followed. The governor is also the boss of the North Carolina National Guard and manages the state's money plan (budget).

The governor can choose some people to work in the government. They can also forgive people who have been found guilty of crimes. The governor can also say "no" to new laws passed by the state lawmakers. Historically, North Carolina's governors had less power than governors in other states. For example, they can't reject just one part of a bill (a "line-item veto"). Other elected officials in the Council of State also have their own powers. Even though North Carolina has become more politically competitive, the governor's office has usually been held by Democrats. The current governor, Josh Stein, is a Democrat. He started his term on January 1, 2025.

History of North Carolina's Governor

Early Governors in Colonial Times

The job of governor is the oldest public office in North Carolina. Its history goes back to 1585. That's when Ralph Lane was named governor of the Roanoke Colony. From 1622 to 1731, governors were chosen by the colony's owners, called "lords proprietors." After that, until 1774, the British Crown picked the governors. These early governors didn't have much power. They usually followed the wishes of those who appointed them.

They had help from the Governor's Council. This group gave advice and also acted as the upper house of the North Carolina General Assembly. After 1731, the King's Privy Council chose the council members. This made the governor's power even weaker. British officials often gave governors secret instructions. These rules covered almost everything about how the colony was run. But these rules often caused problems between the governor and the Assembly. The Assembly controlled the colony's money. They used this power to make governors compromise. This led to tension, especially with Governor Josiah Martin in the 1770s. This tension helped push the colony to break away from Great Britain.

How the Governor's Office Began

North Carolina's first constitution was written in 1776. It said that the state's lawmakers, the General Assembly, would elect the governor. The governor would serve for one year. They could only serve three terms in a six-year period. The constitution also created the Council of State. This group was meant to "advise the Governor."

At first, the governor's job in North Carolina had very little power. This was because people were afraid of powerful leaders, like the British colonial governors. The Council of State often limited the governor's power. Sometimes, the governor needed their approval before doing something important. The governor could not choose people for executive jobs. They could only do so when the lawmakers were not meeting, and even then, they needed the council's advice.

Richard Caswell was chosen as the first governor of the independent state. He started in January 1777. In 1835, the constitution changed. It allowed people to vote for the governor directly. The governor would serve a two-year term. This gave the governor more independence from the lawmakers. Edward Bishop Dudley was the first governor chosen by popular vote.

Changes After 1868

William Woods Holden is the only North Carolina governor to have been impeached and removed from office.

In 1868, North Carolina approved a new constitution. It made the governor's term four years long. But it said a governor could only serve one term. This new constitution stated that the governor had the "supreme executive power." It also gave the governor the power to appoint officials. These appointments needed approval from the state Senate. The Council of State also changed. It now included other elected officials. The governor led the council meetings but was not a formal member.

In 1871, Governor William Woods Holden was removed from office. This happened after he was impeached. He is the only North Carolina governor ever to be impeached. In 1875, the constitution changed again. It took away some of the governor's power to appoint officials. This left governors with very little power to choose people for state jobs.

Growing the Governor's Powers

The power of the governorship was strengthened during the time of O. Max Gardner.

In 1925, a law was passed that made the governor the main person in charge of the state budget. During Governor O. Max Gardner's time (1929-1933), many changes happened. These changes brought government services together. They also created new jobs that the governor could appoint people to. This made the governor's job more important and powerful.

In the 1950s and 1960s, many people wanted to make the governor's powers stronger. These efforts led to a new constitution in 1971. This new constitution clearly stated that "The executive power of the State shall be invested in the Governor." This made the governor clearly the state's chief executive. It also confirmed the governor's role in managing the state budget. The governor also became a formal member of the Council of State.

In 1977, another change to the constitution happened. It allowed governors to run for a second four-year term right after their first. This made the office even more powerful. In 1995, North Carolina's governor finally got the power to veto laws. This made North Carolina the last state to give its governor this power. Mike Easley was the first North Carolina governor to use this veto power in 2002. While the governor's formal powers grew, the state lawmakers also became more willing to assert their own power. In 2018, the General Assembly greatly reduced the number of appointments the governor could make. They cut them from about 1,500 to 300. The current governor is Josh Stein, a Democrat. He took office on January 1, 2025.

How North Carolina's Governor is Elected

Governor Roy Cooper delivering his oath of office, 2017

To be governor, a person must be a registered voter in North Carolina. They must be at least 30 years old. They also need to have been a U.S. citizen for at least five years. And they must have lived in North Carolina for at least two years before the election.

The governor is elected every four years. Their term starts on January 1 of the year after they are elected. They stay in office until the next governor is sworn in. If there's a close election, the state lawmakers (General Assembly) decide who wins.

New governors usually take their oath of office in a public ceremony. This often includes parties and parades. They also receive the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina from the old governor. A governor can serve two terms in a row. But there's no limit on how many non-consecutive terms they can serve. If the person elected governor can't take office, the lieutenant governor becomes governor. The lieutenant governor is elected at the same time as the governor.

What the Governor Does

Leading the State Government

The governor of North Carolina gets their powers from the state constitution and laws. The governor is the state's main leader. They are in charge of making sure the state's laws are followed. The governor can ask state agencies to report to them. They can also change how executive agencies are organized. These changes become law unless the General Assembly says no.

The governor is also the boss of the North Carolina National Guard. They can call the Guard into action to enforce laws. They can also grant pardons to people found guilty of crimes. The governor is the state's main representative when dealing with other states or the federal government. They handle requests from other states to send people back for trials (extradition).

The governor is in charge of the state's budget. This means they watch how money is spent and earned. They make sure the state's budget is balanced. They also suggest a budget plan to the General Assembly. The governor also manages money and loans that the federal government gives to the state.

The governor can appoint people to jobs in the government. They also appoint some judges and members of state boards. As of 2024, the governor makes about 300 appointments. Many of these appointees work for the governor as long as the governor wants them to. Some important appointments, like to the State Board of Education, need approval from the General Assembly. The governor can also appoint temporary officials to fill empty spots in the Council of State.

Working with Lawmakers

Governor Bev Perdue signing a bill into law, 2011

The governor must tell the General Assembly about the state's condition. They also suggest new laws. Governors usually do this with a "State of the State" speech. They can also send special messages. The governor signs bills that they approve of into law. They can also veto bills they don't like. But the General Assembly can override a veto. They need a three-fifths vote to do this. A bill can also become law without the governor's signature if they don't veto it. The governor can call the General Assembly together for special meetings.

Other Important Jobs

The Executive Mansion is the official residence of the governor.

The governor is one of 10 members of the Council of State. This group of elected state leaders holds meetings chaired by the governor. The council helps approve the governor's decisions about state property. The governor is also in charge of keeping the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina. In emergencies, the governor can allow the state to borrow money without a public vote. This happens if there's a threat to public health or safety.

The governor must live in the state capital. Since 1891, the Executive Mansion in Raleigh has been the official home for the governor and their family. The governor and their family are seen as symbolic leaders for the state. They often attend official events and perform ceremonial duties. This includes meeting important people and leading ribbon-cutting ceremonies.

If the Governor Can't Serve

If the governor is out of North Carolina or can't do their job, the lieutenant governor becomes "Acting Governor." If the governor dies, resigns, or is removed, the lieutenant governor takes over. They finish the rest of the governor's term. The governor can say they are physically unable to do their job. They can also say when they are ready to return.

The Council of State can call the General Assembly to decide if the governor is mentally unable to do their job. The General Assembly can declare the governor mentally incapable with a two-thirds vote. The governor must be told about this and allowed to speak.

The only other way to remove a governor is through impeachment. If the North Carolina House of Representatives impeaches the governor, the chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court leads the trial. The trial is held by the State Senate. If two-thirds of the senators vote yes, the governor is removed from office. They also can't hold office again.

North Carolina has a clear order of who takes over if the governor can't serve. First is the Lieutenant Governor. Then comes the President pro tempore of the Senate. After that, it's the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Then come other state officials like the Secretary of State and Attorney General.

How the Governor's Office Works

The governor's office is in the North Carolina State Capitol.

The governor's main office is in the State Capitol. They also have other offices. There are regional offices in New Bern and Asheville. These offices help the governor connect with local governments and people in different parts of the state. The Asheville office also manages the governor's western residence. There's also an office in Washington D.C. This office helps the state government work with North Carolina's lawmakers in Congress and the federal government. The governor has a security team from the North Carolina Highway Patrol. The governor's salary is set by the General Assembly. It cannot be lowered while they are in office. In 2023, the governor's yearly salary was $198,120. It will increase to $203,073 in 2024.

The governor has a team of secretaries who lead different state departments. These departments make up the state cabinet. There are 11 cabinet departments. They cover areas like Administration, Commerce, Health and Human Services, and Transportation. The governor's office has a senior staff. They help the governor manage the cabinet and give advice on new laws. The governor also has a legal counsel. This person gives legal advice to the governor and their team. They also look into requests for pardons.

The Office of State Budget and Management helps the governor with the state budget. The Boards and Commissions Office advises the governor on who to appoint to different roles. The Communications Office handles press releases and speeches for the governor. The Policy Office helps create the governor's main goals for the state. The Education Policy Office focuses on school-related matters. The Office of Constituent Services helps citizens with their questions. The Office of Citizen and Faith Outreach works with minority groups and religious communities. The Legislative Affairs Office connects the governor with the General Assembly. The Governmental Relations Office links the state government with local and federal governments.

Political Side of the Governor's Job

The Governor's Political Role

Governors usually act as the informal leader of their political party in the state. They can help choose other party leaders. They can also support candidates and speak for their party. Because they are a well-known elected official, governors get a lot of media attention. They can influence what issues people talk about and how the public thinks.

Who Becomes Governor

Jim Hunt was the state's longest-serving governor.

Between 1877 and 1972, all of North Carolina's governors were Democrats. The only exception was Republican Daniel L. Russell, who won one term in 1896. After 1950, the elections for governor became more competitive. In 1972, James Holshouser became the first Republican governor of the 20th century. Even so, it has been hard for Republicans to win governor elections in North Carolina. The office has mostly stayed with Democrats. Since 1901, 23 Democrats and three Republicans have been elected governor.

Most North Carolina governors have been men. They were usually born in rural North Carolina. They were about 50 years old and had political experience. Many were lawyers and had gone to college. Most have been white Christians. Bev Perdue, elected in 2008, was the first woman to be governor of North Carolina. Josh Stein is the first Jewish governor. Like in other states, governors who are already in office often win reelection. Jim Hunt served the longest as governor. He had four terms, from 1977 to 1985 and 1993 to 2001.

Limits on the Governor's Power

North Carolina's governor has less power compared to governors in many other states. Their veto power is weaker. The state lawmakers can override a veto with a three-fifths vote. In most states, it takes a two-thirds vote. Unlike most governors, North Carolina's governor cannot reject just one part of a bill (a "line-item veto"). They also cannot veto certain types of bills, like local bills.

Other state executive officials are elected separately. They control their own areas of government. This takes power away from the governor. Also, the General Assembly can make some appointments to state jobs. By law, the governor needs the Council of State's approval for some decisions about state property. Since the 1970s, North Carolina has seen more competition between the two main political parties. This often leads to "divided government." This means the governor and the lawmakers belong to different parties. This can also make it harder for the governor to get things done.

Lists

• List of colonial governors of North Carolina
• List of governors of the Province of North Carolina
• List of governors of North Carolina
• List of first ladies and gentlemen of North Carolina