Governor of Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Governor of theCommonwealth of Virginia |
|
|---|---|
|
|
|
|
| Government of Virginia | |
| Style |
|
| Residence | Virginia Executive Mansion |
| Term length | Four years, not eligible for immediate re-election |
| Formation | July 5, 1776 |
| First holder | Patrick Henry |
| Succession | Line of succession |
| Deputy | Lieutenant Governor of Virginia |
| Salary | $175,000 (2013) |
The Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia is the leader of the state government in Virginia. This person is in charge of making sure the state's laws are followed. The governor serves for four years. The current governor, Glenn Youngkin, started his term on January 15, 2022.
Contents
Taking the Oath of Office
On the day they become governor, the person who won the election takes an important promise called an oath. They promise to support the Constitution of the United States and the Virginia Constitution. They also promise to do their job as Governor of Virginia fairly and to the best of their ability.
Who Can Be Governor?
To become Governor of Virginia, a person must meet certain requirements:
- They must be a citizen of the United States.
- They need to be at least 30 years old.
- They must have lived in Virginia and been a registered voter there for at least five years before the election.
Unlike governors in many other states, Virginia's governors cannot serve two terms in a row. This rule has been in place since 1830. However, a former governor can run for the job again in a future election. Only two governors since 1830 have served non-consecutive terms: William Smith and Mills Godwin.
To get their name on the ballot for governor, candidates must collect 10,000 signatures. These signatures must come from registered voters across the state. At least 400 signatures must be from each of Virginia's 11 congressional districts.
What the Governor Does
The governor is the main leader of Virginia's government. Here are some of their key duties:
- Reports to the State Assembly: At the start of each year, the governor tells the Virginia General Assembly (which includes the House of Delegates and the Senate) about the state of Virginia.
- Calls Special Sessions: If two-thirds of the lawmakers in both houses agree, the governor must call a special meeting of the legislature.
- Enforces Laws: The governor makes sure that Virginia's laws are carried out. They can sign bills into law, let them become law without signing, or veto them (stop them from becoming law).
- Commander-in-Chief: The governor is also the leader of the Virginia militia. This means they are responsible for the safety and security of the state.
Governor's Powers
The Governor of Virginia has several important powers:
- Suggesting Laws: The governor can suggest new laws or changes to existing laws. They can also call special meetings of the legislature if needed.
- Veto Power: All new laws must go to the governor before they can become official. The governor can sign a bill, or let it become law after seven days without signing it. They can also veto a bill, which means they reject it. If a bill is vetoed, the legislature can still make it a law if two-thirds of both houses vote for it.
- Line-Item Veto: The governor can also reject specific parts of a bill, especially spending bills. They can send the bill back to the legislature with their suggested changes. The legislature can approve these changes or override the veto with a two-thirds vote.
- Leading the Militia: The governor is the commander of Virginia's military forces.
- Communicating with Others: The governor can talk with leaders from other states and even other countries.
- Filling Open Jobs: The governor can appoint people to fill empty positions in the state government, unless the legislature is supposed to make that appointment.
- Pardons and Rights: The governor can reduce fines or sentences for crimes. They can also issue pardons, which forgive someone for a crime. The governor can also give back voting rights or other political rights to individuals.
Who Takes Over if the Governor Can't Serve?
If the Governor of Virginia cannot do their job, there is a clear order of who takes over. This is set by the Virginia Constitution.
| Order | Office | Current Person |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Governor of Virginia | Glenn Youngkin (R) |
| 1 | Lieutenant Governor | Winsome Sears (R) |
| 2 | Attorney General | Jason Miyares (R) |
| 3 | Speaker of the House of Delegates | Don Scott (D) |
| 4 | The House of Delegates meets to choose someone to fill the spot. | |
History of Virginia's Governors
Early Days as a Colony
The idea of a governor in Virginia goes all the way back to 1607. This was when the first permanent English settlement was built in Jamestown. At first, a group called the Virginia Company of London ran the colony. They had a council, and the president of that council acted as a governor.
The first person to actually govern Virginia while living there was Edward Maria Wingfield. A few years later, in 1609, the Virginia Company decided to have a single governor instead of a council. John Smith became one of the early governors.
In 1624, the King of England, King James I, took control of Virginia from the company. Virginia then became a "crown colony." This meant the king appointed the governors. Often, the appointed governor stayed in England, and a deputy or lieutenant governor did the actual governing in Virginia.
Virginia as a Commonwealth
.jpg)
Virginia became an independent state, or "Commonwealth," during the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783). Patrick Henry was its first governor, serving from 1776 to 1779.
From the Revolution until 1851, the governor was chosen by the Virginia General Assembly (the state's legislature). After 1851, people started voting directly for the governor.
During the American Civil War (1861–1865), parts of Virginia were controlled by the Union. Francis Harrison Pierpont was the governor for those areas. After the war, he also served as a temporary governor during the time called the Reconstruction era.
In 1874, Virginia was able to govern itself again. James L. Kemper, a former Confederate general, was elected governor. It wasn't until 1969 that Virginia elected another regular Republican governor, A. Linwood Holton Jr..
Douglas Wilder made history by becoming the first African American governor of any U.S. state. He served from 1990 to 1994.
Virginia's governor elections are held in "off-years." These are years when there are no national elections like for president or Congress. Virginia's elections happen one year after U.S. presidential elections (for example, 2001, 2005, 2009).
Tim Kaine became governor on January 14, 2006. His inauguration was held in Williamsburg, Virginia. This made him the first governor to be sworn in there since Thomas Jefferson in 1779. The current governor is Glenn Youngkin, who took office on January 15, 2022.
How to Address the Governor
The Governor of Virginia is usually called "The Honorable." Sometimes, in very formal situations, they might be called "Excellency."
See also
