Governor of Massachusetts facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Standard of the governor
Seal of the governor
Incumbent Maura Healey since January 5, 2023
Government of Massachusetts
Style	Governor (informal) Her Excellency (formal)
Member of	Governor's Council Cabinet
Residence	None official
Seat	State House, Boston, Massachusetts
Nominator	Nominating petition, Political parties
Appointer	Popular vote
Term length	Four years, no term limits
Constituting instrument	Constitution of Massachusetts
Formation	Original post: April 30, 1629 Current form: October 25, 1780
First holder	John Endecott
Succession	Line of succession
Deputy	Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts
Salary	$185,000 (2022)

The governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is like the chief leader of the state of Massachusetts. This person is the head of government for the entire Commonwealth. The governor leads the state's main team of advisors, called the cabinet. They are also the commander-in-chief of Massachusetts's own military forces, the National Guard.

Massachusetts has a government system similar to the U.S. President. The governor is the main leader, separate from the law-making group, the legislature. The governor has many important jobs. These include official ceremonies and political duties. They also sign new laws and can stop a bill from becoming law using their veto power. The governor is part of the Massachusetts Governor's Council. This council has eight elected members. They help the governor make decisions on legal matters and appointments.

The role of governor in Massachusetts began in 1629. Over time, its powers and how governors were chosen changed. The current form of the governor's job started with the 1780 Constitution of Massachusetts. This document called for a "supreme executive magistrate," which means a top executive leader.

Governors of Massachusetts are chosen every four years. Elections happen on the first Tuesday after November 1. The most recent election was in 2022. After being elected, the new governor officially starts their job in January. There are no limits on how many terms a governor can serve. The longest-serving governor was Michael Dukakis, who served for 12 years. The current governor is Maura Healey, a Democrat. She won the 2022 election.

Becoming Governor: What It Takes

To become the governor of Massachusetts, a person must meet certain rules:

• They must be at least 18 years old.
• They need to be a registered voter in Massachusetts.
• They must have lived in Massachusetts for at least seven years when elected.
• They need to collect 10,000 signatures from registered voters. These signatures are on special nomination papers.

How Governors Are Chosen and How Long They Serve

The governor is chosen by the people through an election. A governor's term in office lasts for four years. There is no limit to how many terms a person can serve.

Elections for governor happen every four years. They take place at the same time as elections for other state leaders. These include the lieutenant governor, attorney general, and state treasurer.

A Look Back: The Governor's Role Through Time

The idea of a governor in Massachusetts started in 1628. This was with the Royal Charter. At first, the governor was like the president of a company board. This was the Massachusetts Bay Company. Shareholders of the company, called freemen, elected the governor. These shareholders were mostly colonists who met certain religious rules.

The governor acted like a royal representative. They oversaw how the colony was run. Originally, they were supposed to live in London. But John Winthrop broke this rule when he became governor. Governors were elected every year. They worked with a Council of Assistants. This council was a group of judges. They also acted as an upper house for the General Court. They gave advice and consent to the governor. Early governors of Massachusetts Bay were strong Puritan colonists. They wanted to create a state based on religious laws.

Later, King James II created the Dominion of New England. This combined the New England colonies with New York and New Jersey. During this time (1686–1689), Massachusetts did not have its own governor. Instead, the King appointed a governor who lived in Boston. This governor served as long as the King wished. There was a council that acted like a legislature. But it was hard to get the council to meet. So, the King mostly ruled the Dominion through his royal governor. The King created this system because he was unhappy with the Massachusetts Bay colonists. He wanted more control. This new system was not popular with the colonists. The Dominion ended in 1689 after the Glorious Revolution and the Boston Revolt.

In 1691, the Massachusetts Charter brought back the civilian governor. Massachusetts Bay became the Province of Massachusetts Bay. It included the old Massachusetts Bay Colony, the Plymouth Colony, and parts of what is now Maine. However, the people no longer elected the governor. The British Crown appointed them. To ease tensions, the General Court was brought back. It was given important powers. This often led to disagreements between governors and the General Court. The governor could stop laws made by the assembly. They also controlled the militia. But the General Court controlled the money. If the governor disagreed with the General Court, the assembly could refuse to pay the governor.

From 1765, tensions grew between the governor and the people. This led to the American Revolution. After the Stamp Act, Governor Thomas Hutchinson's home was broken into. Royal Governor Thomas Gage later closed the General Court. He tried to rule by himself. In 1774, the Massachusetts Provincial Congress formed. This was a new government that opposed the royal one. Massachusetts Bay declared independence in May 1776. The governor's role was empty for four years. During this time, the Governor's Council and the Congress led the state.

The Constitution of Massachusetts was adopted in 1780. It brought back the elected civilian governor. John Hancock was the first governor of the independent Commonwealth. He was elected on October 25, 1780.

The Governor's Job in the Constitution

The Massachusetts Constitution describes the governor's role. It says there will be a "supreme executive magistrate." This person is called "The Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts." Their formal title is "His Excellency."

The governor of Massachusetts is the state's chief executive. Many other officials work under them. The governor was first elected every year. In 1918, this changed to a two-year term. Since 1966, the governor serves a four-year term. The governor does not have an official home. They live in their own house. However, they do get money for housing. The title "His Excellency" comes from the time of royal governors. It was used to show respect.

The governor also leads the state's armed forces as their commander-in-chief.

Who Takes Over if the Governor Can't Serve?

If the governor's position becomes empty, the lieutenant governor steps in. This happens if the governor dies, leaves the state, or for other reasons. The lieutenant governor then performs all the governor's duties. They have all the governor's powers.

The Massachusetts Constitution does not use the term "acting governor." But in practice, the lieutenant governor keeps their title. They become the "lieutenant-governor, acting governor." Even with this name, the courts have said that the lieutenant governor gets all the governor's powers. This means they are fully in charge.

The first time this happened was in 1785. Governor John Hancock resigned. Lieutenant Governor Thomas Cushing became acting governor. More recently, Jane Swift became acting governor when Paul Cellucci resigned.

Long ago, if both the governor and lieutenant governor were gone, the Governor's Council would take over. This happened in 1799. Governor Increase Sumner died. Lieutenant Governor Moses Gill became acting governor. But Acting Governor Gill also died before a new lieutenant governor was chosen. So, the Governor's Council led the state for ten days.

In 1918, a new rule was added to the Constitution. It set up a clear line of succession:

The Governor's Cabinet

The governor has a team of 10 people called the cabinet. Each person in the cabinet is in charge of a different part of the state government. They help the governor manage the state. You can find a full list of these departments in the Government of Massachusetts article.

Special Traditions of the Governor

The front doors of the Massachusetts State House are usually closed. They are only opened for very special events. These include when a governor leaves office. They also open when a head of state or the U.S. President visits. Another time is when flags from Massachusetts military groups return after wars. This tradition started in 1884. Governor Benjamin Butler kicked open the front door when he left office.

New governors often choose a portrait of a past governor. They hang it in their office.

Before a new governor is sworn in, the old governor gives them four special items. These are a pewter "Key" for the governor's office door. There is also the Butler Bible and a "Gavel." Finally, they receive a two-volume set of Massachusetts laws. The old governor writes a personal note to their successor in it. Then, the new governor is led to the House Chamber. The President of the Senate officially swears them in.

The Lone Walk

When a governor finishes their term, they take a "lone walk." They walk down the Grand Staircase. They go through the House of Flags and into Doric Hall. Then, they walk out the central doors and down the steps of the Massachusetts State House. After that, they cross the street into Boston Common. This walk shows that they are now a regular citizen again. Benjamin Butler started this tradition in 1884. Sometimes, governors have their family or friends walk with them. A 19-gun salute is fired during the walk. Often, friends and supporters line the steps.

In January 1991, Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Murphy took the walk. She was the first woman elected to a statewide office in Massachusetts. In 2007, Governor Mitt Romney took his lone walk the day before Governor Deval Patrick was sworn in.

Where the Governor Lives

Massachusetts does not have an official home for its governor. There have been ideas to create one. For example, in 1955, Governor Foster Furcolo said no to making the Shirley–Eustis House the official residence. This house was built by a royal governor.

Another idea was to use the Endicott Estate in Dedham. Governor John A. Volpe accepted this gift. He wanted to make the old mansion a governor's home. But when Volpe left office, the plan was stopped. It was too expensive and too far from the State House.

Other places like the Province House were also suggested long ago. But they were torn down.

Since there is no official home, people often say "corner office." This refers to the governor's office in the State House. It means the governor's job.

List of Massachusetts Governors

Since 1780, 65 people have served as governor. Some, like John Hancock and Michael Dukakis, served more than one time. Seven lieutenant governors have acted as governor without being elected to the top job later.

Colonial Massachusetts Governors

The history of Massachusetts governors started with the Plymouth Colony in 1620. Then came the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1628. The Dominion of New England combined these colonies from 1686 to 1689. After it fell, the Province of Massachusetts Bay was created in 1692. This new province included Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay. It also included parts of modern-day Maine.

Early governors of Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay were elected each year. Only certain men, called freemen, could vote. Later, the British king appointed governors for the Dominion and the 1692 province. In 1774, General Thomas Gage was the last royal governor. He was called back to England in 1775. By then, the Massachusetts Provincial Congress was in charge of most of Massachusetts. From 1775 until 1780, the state was led by the provincial congress and an executive council.

Governors of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts: 1780–Present

The Massachusetts Constitution of 1780 created the roles of governor and lieutenant governor. They were elected every year. In 1918, terms became two years long. Since 1966, terms have been four years.

Governors of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

No.	Governor		Term in office	Lt. Governor
1		John Hancock (1737–1793)	October 25, 1780 – February 18, 1785 (resigned)	Cushing, ThomasThomas Cushing
					—		Thomas Cushing (1725–1788)	February 18, 1785 – May 27, 1785 (lost election)	Acting as governor
					2		James Bowdoin (1726–1790)	May 27, 1785 – June 1, 1787 (lost election)	Cushing, ThomasThomas Cushing
										3		John Hancock (1737–1793)	June 1, 1787 – October 8, 1793 (died in office)
					Lincoln, BenjaminBenjamin Lincoln
Adams, SamuelSamuel Adams
	4		Samuel Adams (1722–1803)	October 8, 1793 – June 2, 1797 (did not run)	Acting as governor
		Gill, MosesMoses Gill
					5		Increase Sumner (1746–1799)	June 2, 1797 – June 7, 1799 (died in office)
									—						Moses Gill (1733–1800)	June 7, 1799 – May 20, 1800 (died in office)	Acting as governor
—			Governor's Council chaired by Thomas Dawes	May 20, 1800 – May 30, 1800					Vacant
6			Caleb Strong (1745–1819)	May 30, 1800 – May 29, 1807 (lost election)
					Phillips Jr., SamuelSamuel Phillips Jr.
		Robbins, EdwardEdward Robbins
					7		James Sullivan (1744–1808)	May 29, 1807 – December 10, 1808 (died in office)	Lincoln Sr., LeviLevi Lincoln Sr.
										—		Levi Lincoln Sr. (1749–1820)	December 10, 1808 – June 3, 1809 (lost election)	Acting as governor
					8		Christopher Gore (1758–1827)	June 3, 1809 – June 2, 1810 (lost election)	Cobb, DavidDavid Cobb
					9		Elbridge Gerry (1744–1814)	June 2, 1810 – May 30, 1812 (lost election)	Gray, WilliamWilliam Gray
10		Caleb Strong (1745–1819)	May 30, 1812 – June 1, 1816 (did not run)	Phillips Jr., WilliamWilliam Phillips Jr.
					11		John Brooks (1752–1825)	June 1, 1816 – May 30, 1823 (did not run)
									12		William Eustis (1753–1825)	May 30, 1823 – February 6, 1825 (died in office)	Morton, MarcusMarcus Morton
														—		Marcus Morton (1784–1864)	February 6, 1825 – May 27, 1825 (successor took office)	Acting as governor
13		Levi Lincoln Jr. (1782–1868)	May 27, 1825 – January 21, 1834 (did not run)						Winthrop, Thomas L.Thomas L. Winthrop
										14		John Davis (1787–1854)	January 21, 1834 – March 3, 1835 (resigned)	Armstrong, Samuel TurellSamuel Turell Armstrong
															—		Samuel Turell Armstrong (1784–1850)	March 3, 1835 – January 13, 1836 (lost election)	Acting as governor
										15		Edward Everett (1794–1865)	January 13, 1836 – January 18, 1840 (lost election)	Hull, GeorgeGeorge Hull
					16		Marcus Morton (1784–1864)	January 18, 1840 – January 9, 1841 (lost election)
					17		John Davis (1787–1854)	January 9, 1841 – January 18, 1843 (lost election)
															18		Marcus Morton (1784–1864)	January 18, 1843 – January 9, 1844 (lost election)	Childs, Henry H.Henry H. Childs
				19		George N. Briggs (1796–1861)	January 9, 1844 – January 13, 1851 (lost election)	Cushman, Henry W.Henry W. Cushman
										20		George S. Boutwell (1818–1905)	January 13, 1851 – January 14, 1853 (did not run)
21		John H. Clifford (1809–1876)	January 14, 1853 – January 12, 1854 (did not run)						Plunkett, William C.William C. Plunkett
22		Emory Washburn (1800–1877)	January 12, 1854 – January 9, 1855 (lost election)
23		Henry Gardner (1819–1892)	January 9, 1855 – January 2, 1858 (lost election)						Brown, SimonSimon Brown
									Benchley, Henry WetherbyHenry Wetherby Benchley
										24		Nathaniel P. Banks (1816–1894)	January 2, 1858 – January 2, 1861 (did not run)	Trask, EliphaletEliphalet Trask
25		John Albion Andrew (1818–1867)	January 2, 1861 – January 6, 1866 (did not run)	Goodrich, John Z.John Z. Goodrich
				Nesmith, JohnJohn Nesmith
				Hayden, JoelJoel Hayden
					26		Alexander Bullock (1816–1882)	January 6, 1866 – January 9, 1869 (did not run)	Claflin, WilliamWilliam Claflin
										27		William Claflin (1818–1905)	January 9, 1869 – January 5, 1872 (did not run)	Tucker, JosephJoseph Tucker
28		William B. Washburn (1820–1887)	January 5, 1872 – April 30, 1874 (resigned)
				Talbot, ThomasThomas Talbot
					—		Thomas Talbot (1818–1885)	April 30, 1874 – January 7, 1875 (lost election)	Acting as governor
29		William Gaston (1820–1894)	January 7, 1875 – January 6, 1876 (lost election)	Knight, Horatio G.Horatio G. Knight
30		Alexander H. Rice (1818–1895)	January 6, 1876 – January 2, 1879 (did not run)
					31		Thomas Talbot (1818–1885)	January 2, 1879 – January 8, 1880 (did not run)	Long, John DavisJohn Davis Long
					32		John Davis Long (1838–1915)	January 8, 1880 – January 4, 1883 (did not run)	Weston, ByronByron Weston
33		Benjamin Butler (1818–1893)	January 4, 1883 – January 3, 1884 (lost election)	Ames, OliverOliver Ames
34		George D. Robinson (1834–1896)	January 3, 1884 – January 6, 1887 (did not run)
					35		Oliver Ames (1831–1895)	January 6, 1887 – January 2, 1890 (did not run)	Brackett, John Q. A.John Q. A. Brackett
										36		John Q. A. Brackett (1842–1918)	January 2, 1890 – January 8, 1891 (lost election)	Haile, William H.William H. Haile
37		William E. Russell (1857–1896)	January 8, 1891 – January 4, 1894 (did not run)
				38		Frederic T. Greenhalge (1842–1896)	January 4, 1894 – March 5, 1896 (died in office)	Wolcott, RogerRoger Wolcott
									39		Roger Wolcott (1847–1900)	March 5, 1896 – January 4, 1900 (did not run)	Acting as governor
Crane, Winthrop M.Winthrop M. Crane
	40		Winthrop M. Crane (1853–1920)	January 4, 1900 – January 8, 1903 (did not run)	Bates, John L.John L. Bates
						41		John L. Bates (1859–1946)					January 8, 1903 – January 5, 1905 (lost election)	Guild Jr., CurtisCurtis Guild Jr.
42										William Lewis Douglas (1845–1924)	January 5, 1905 – January 4, 1906 (did not run)
43		Curtis Guild Jr. (1860–1915)	January 4, 1906 – January 7, 1909 (did not run)	Draper, Eben SumnerEben Sumner Draper
					44		Eben Sumner Draper (1858–1914)	January 7, 1909 – January 5, 1911 (lost election)	Frothingham, Louis A.Louis A. Frothingham
										45		Eugene Foss (1858–1939)	January 5, 1911 – January 8, 1914 (lost election)
Luce, RobertRobert Luce
David I. Walsh
46		David I. Walsh (1872–1947)	January 8, 1914 – January 6, 1916 (lost election)	Barry, Edward P.Edward P. Barry
				Grafton D. Cushing
47		Samuel W. McCall (1851–1923)	January 6, 1916 – January 2, 1919 (did not run)	Coolidge, CalvinCalvin Coolidge
					48		Calvin Coolidge (1872–1933)	January 2, 1919 – January 6, 1921 (did not run)	Cox, Channing H.Channing H. Cox
										49		Channing H. Cox (1879–1968)	January 6, 1921 – January 8, 1925 (did not run)	Fuller, Alvan T.Alvan T. Fuller
50		Alvan T. Fuller (1878–1958)	January 8, 1925 – January 3, 1929 (did not run)	Allen, Frank G.Frank G. Allen
					51		Frank G. Allen (1874–1950)	January 3, 1929 – January 8, 1931 (lost election)	Youngman, William S.William S. Youngman
52		Joseph B. Ely (1881–1956)	January 8, 1931 – January 3, 1935 (did not run)
				Bacon, Gaspar G.Gaspar G. Bacon
53		James Michael Curley (1874–1958)	January 3, 1935 – January 7, 1937 (did not run)	Hurley, Joseph L.Joseph L. Hurley
54		Charles F. Hurley (1893–1946)	January 7, 1937 – January 5, 1939 (lost nomination)		Kelly, Francis E.Francis E. Kelly
55		Leverett Saltonstall (1892–1979)	January 5, 1939 – January 4, 1945 (did not run)	Cahill, Horace T.Horace T. Cahill
					56		Maurice J. Tobin (1901–1953)	January 4, 1945 – January 2, 1947 (lost election)	Bradford, Robert F.Robert F. Bradford
					57		Robert F. Bradford (1902–1983)	January 2, 1947 – January 6, 1949 (lost election)	Coolidge, Arthur W.Arthur W. Coolidge
58		Paul A. Dever (1903–1958)	January 6, 1949 – January 8, 1953 (lost election)	Sullivan, Charles F.Charles F. Sullivan
					59		Christian Herter (1895–1966)	January 8, 1953 – January 3, 1957 (did not run)	Whittier, Sumner G.Sumner G. Whittier
60		Foster Furcolo (1911–1995)	January 3, 1957 – January 5, 1961 (did not run)	Murphy, Robert F.Robert F. Murphy
					Vacant
				61		John A. Volpe (1908–1994)	January 5, 1961 – January 3, 1963 (lost election)	McLaughlin Jr., Edward F.Edward F. McLaughlin Jr.
62		Endicott Peabody (1920–1997)	January 3, 1963 – January 7, 1965 (lost nomination)	Bellotti, FrancisFrancis Bellotti
63		John A. Volpe (1908–1994)	January 7, 1965 – January 22, 1969 (resigned)	Richardson, ElliotElliot Richardson
				Sargent, FrancisFrancis Sargent
64		Francis Sargent (1915–1998)	January 22, 1969 – January 2, 1975 (lost election)	Acting as governor
				Dwight, DonaldDonald Dwight
65		Michael Dukakis (b. 1933)	January 2, 1975 – January 4, 1979 (lost nomination)	O'Neill III, Thomas P.Thomas P. O'Neill III
66		Edward J. King (1925–2006)	January 4, 1979 – January 6, 1983 (lost nomination)
67		Michael Dukakis (b. 1933)	January 6, 1983 – January 3, 1991 (did not run)	Kerry, JohnJohn Kerry
				Vacant
				Murphy, EvelynEvelyn Murphy
68		Bill Weld (b. 1945)	January 3, 1991 – July 29, 1997 (resigned)	Cellucci, PaulPaul Cellucci
					69		Paul Cellucci (1948–2013)	July 29, 1997 – April 10, 2001 (resigned)	Acting as governor
Swift, JaneJane Swift
—		Jane Swift (b. 1965)	April 10, 2001 – January 2, 2003 (did not run)	Acting as governor
70		Mitt Romney (b. 1947)	January 2, 2003 – January 4, 2007 (did not run)	Healey, KerryKerry Healey
71		Deval Patrick (b. 1956)	January 4, 2007 – January 8, 2015 (did not run)	Murray, TimTim Murray
					Vacant
				72		Charlie Baker (b. 1956)	January 8, 2015 – January 5, 2023 (did not run)	Polito, KarynKaryn Polito
73		Maura Healey (b. 1971)	January 5, 2023 – Incumbent						Driscoll, KimKim Driscoll

Images for kids

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  Seal of Massachusetts