Governor of Oregon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Governor of Oregon |
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| Government of Oregon | |
| Style | The Honorable |
| Residence | Mahonia Hall |
| Term length | Four years, renewable once in a 12-year period |
| Inaugural holder | John Whiteaker |
| Formation | February 14, 1859 (Constitution of Oregon) |
| Salary | $98,600 (2018) |
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The governor of Oregon is the main leader of the state of Oregon. They are like the "boss" of the state government. The governor also leads Oregon's military forces. This important job has existed since Oregon was a territory.
The current governor of Oregon is Tina Kotek. She started her term on January 9, 2023. The governor's salary in 2018 was $98,600.
What Does the Governor Do?
The governor of Oregon has many important jobs. They lead the state's government and help make sure laws are followed. They also represent Oregon to other states and the country.
Who Can Be Governor?
To become governor, a person must be a U.S. citizen. They also need to be at least 30 years old. Plus, they must have lived in Oregon for at least three years before the election.
Some people cannot be governor. For example, a member of Congress cannot also be the governor. This rule helps keep different parts of the government separate.
How Long Can a Governor Serve?
A governor serves a four-year term. They can be elected again, but there's a limit. A person cannot serve more than eight years in any twelve-year period. This means a governor can serve two terms in a row. After that, they would have to wait before running again.
John Kitzhaber is the only governor who served terms that were not in a row.
How is the Governor Elected?
The election process for governor is very important. After people vote, the Secretary of State counts the votes. Then, the results are shared with the Oregon Legislative Assembly. This is a special meeting where the winner is officially announced.
If there is a tie in the election, the state legislature decides. They vote to pick the winner from the tied candidates. If there are problems with an election, the legislature also helps sort them out.
Who Takes Over if the Governor Can't Serve?
Sometimes, a governor might not be able to finish their term. This could happen if they get sick, resign, or pass away. Oregon has a clear plan for who takes over. This is called the "line of succession."
Oregon does not have a Lieutenant Governor. Instead, other state leaders step in. Here is the order of who would become governor:
- 1. The Secretary of State
- 2. The State Treasurer
- 3. The President of the Senate
- 4. The Speaker of the House
The person who takes over finishes the rest of the governor's term. If there are more than two years left, a special election is held.
Past Changes in Leadership
Over Oregon's history, several governors have left office early.
- In 1877, La Fayette Grover resigned to become a U.S. Senator. The Secretary of State, Stephen F. Chadwick, took over.
- In 1909, George Chamberlain also resigned to become a U.S. Senator. Secretary of State Frank W. Benson became governor.
- When Benson became ill in 1910, Jay Bowerman stepped in as Acting Governor. He later became governor when Benson resigned.
- After James Withycombe passed away in 1919, Secretary of State Ben W. Olcott took office.
- In 1929, Isaac L. Patterson passed away. The President of the Senate, A. W. Norblad, became governor.
- After Earl Snell passed away in 1947, Speaker of the House John H. Hall took office.
- In 1952, Douglas McKay resigned to become a U.S. Secretary. The President of the Senate, Paul L. Patterson, became governor.
- After Patterson passed away in 1956, President of the Senate Elmo Smith took over.
- In 2015, John Kitzhaber resigned. Secretary of State Kate Brown became governor. She then won a special election and was re-elected.
Leading the State Military
The governor is the commander-in-chief of Oregon's military forces. This means they can call on these forces to help the state. For example, they might use them during emergencies or natural disasters.
Granting Pardons
The governor has the power to grant pardons. A pardon means forgiving someone for a crime. They can also commute sentences, which means making a punishment less severe. The governor must tell the legislature when they use these powers.
For very serious crimes like treason, the governor can only delay a punishment. The legislature then decides on a full pardon or other actions.
Working with the Legislature
The governor works closely with the Oregon Legislative Assembly.
- Veto Power: The governor can say "no" to (veto) new laws passed by the legislature. However, the legislature can still make the law happen if enough members vote for it again. This is called overriding a veto.
- Special Sessions: If something urgent comes up, the governor can call a special meeting of the legislature. They can also call for special elections to fill empty seats.
- State of the State Address: Every year, the governor gives a speech called the "State of the State address." In this speech, they talk about how Oregon is doing. They also share their ideas for what the government should focus on.
Appointing People to Jobs
When the legislature is not meeting, the governor can appoint people to fill state jobs. These appointments are temporary until the legislature meets again or new elections are held.
Where Does the Governor Live?
The official home for the governor of Oregon is called Mahonia Hall. It is located in Salem, the state capital.
The house was built in 1924. Citizens helped buy it in 1988 to make it Oregon's first official governor's mansion. Before Mahonia Hall, the governor would just live in a rented house.
Early Oregon Leaders
Before Oregon became a state, it had different leaders. In the 1840s, there was a group called the provisional government. Its first leaders were a three-person committee. In 1845, George Abernethy became the first person to officially hold the title of "governor" in Oregon.
See also
