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List of governors of Georgia facts for kids

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The governor of Georgia is like the main leader of the U.S. state of Georgia. They are the head of the state's government and the commander-in-chief of Georgia's military forces. The current governor is Republican Brian Kemp, who started his term on January 14, 2019.


Georgia has had 83 official governors. Some governors, like John Houstoun and Eugene Talmadge, served more than one time. The governors who served the longest were George Busbee, Joe Frank Harris, Zell Miller, Sonny Perdue, and Nathan Deal. Each of them served two full four-year terms. Joseph E. Brown, who was governor during the Civil War, was elected four times and served for seven and a half years. The shortest term was by Matthew Talbot, who served only 13 days after the previous governor passed away.

Governors of Georgia

Georgia was one of the first Thirteen Colonies that formed the United States. It officially became a state on January 2, 1788. Before it became independent, Georgia was a colony ruled by the Kingdom of Great Britain.

During the American Civil War, Georgia left the United States on January 19, 1861. It then became one of the founding members of the Confederate States of America. After the Civil War ended, during a time called Reconstruction, the U.S. military had some control over who became governor. Georgia was brought back into the Union on July 25, 1868.

When Georgia first set up its rules in 1776, the leader was called a "president" and served for 6 months. In 1777, a formal constitution was written. It created the job of "governor," who would serve for one year. A governor could not serve more than one year out of every three.

Over time, the rules for governors changed:

  • In 1789, the term became two years, with no limit on how many times someone could serve.
  • The 1865 constitution said governors had to take four years off after serving two terms.
  • The 1868 constitution quickly changed this, allowing four-year terms with no limits.
  • In 1877, the term length went back to two years, with the same limit as the 1865 constitution.
  • The 1945 constitution changed terms to four years. Governors had to wait four years before running again. This constitution also created the job of Lieutenant Governor of Georgia. If the governor's office became empty, the lieutenant governor would take over.
  • In 1983, the rules changed again. Now, the lieutenant governor fully becomes governor if the office is empty. Before the lieutenant governor's job existed, the president of the state senate would act as governor.
  • The 1983 constitution also allows governors to serve two terms in a row before they have to wait four years to run again. The governor and lieutenant governor are elected separately, not as a team.


Governors of the State of Georgia
No. Governor Term in office Party Election Lt. Governor
7 Archibald Bulloch 1.jpg   Archibald Bulloch
(1730–1777)
January 22, 1776

February 22, 1777
(died in office)
None Office did not exist
8 Portrait of Button Gwinnett, signer of the Declaration of Independence from Georgia.jpg Button Gwinnett
(1735–1777)
March 4, 1777

May 8, 1777
(left office)
None
9 John Adam Treutlen.jpg John A. Treutlen
(1734–1782)
May 8, 1777

January 10, 1778
(left office)
None
10 Portrait of John Houstoun.png John Houstoun
(1744–1796)
January 10, 1778

December 29, 1778
(fled from capture)
None
Competing governments December 29, 1778

August 6, 1779
Government in chaos
after fall of Savannah
11 John Wereat.jpg John Wereat
(d. 1799)
August 6, 1779

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

January 4, 1780
(left office)
None
13 No image.svg Richard Howly
(1740–1784)
January 4, 1780

February 5, 1780
(left office)
None
No image.svg George Wells
(d. 1780)
February 5, 1780

February 16, 1780
(died in office)
None
14 Stephen Heard.jpg Stephen Heard
(1740–1815)
February 18, 1780

August 18, 1781
(left office)
None
15 Gov. Brownson portrait.jpg Nathan Brownson
(1742–1796)
August 18, 1781

January 3, 1782
(term-limited)
None 1781
16 No image.svg John Martin
(d. 1786)
January 3, 1782

January 8, 1783
(term-limited)
None 1782
17 Lyman Hall.jpg Lyman Hall
(1724–1790)
January 8, 1783

January 9, 1784
(term-limited)
None 1783
10 Portrait of John Houstoun.png John Houstoun
(1744–1796)
January 9, 1784

January 6, 1785
(term-limited)
None 1784
18 SamuelElbert01.jpg Samuel Elbert
(1740–1788)
January 6, 1785

January 9, 1786
(term-limited)
None 1785
19 No image.svg Edward Telfair
(1735–1807)
January 9, 1786

January 9, 1787
(term-limited)
None 1786
20 Gen. George Mathews profile.png George Mathews
(1739–1812)
January 9, 1787

January 26, 1788
(term-limited)
None 1787
21 No image.svg George Handley
(1752–1793)
January 26, 1788

January 7, 1789
(term-limited)
None 1788
12 George Walton.jpg George Walton
(d. 1804)
January 7, 1789

November 9, 1789
(did not run)
Democratic-
Republican
Jan. 1789
19 No image.svg Edward Telfair
(1735–1807)
November 9, 1789

November 7, 1793
(lost election)
Democratic-
Republican
Nov. 1789
1791
20 Gen. George Mathews profile.png George Mathews
(1739–1812)
November 7, 1793

January 15, 1796
(did not run)
Democratic-
Republican
1793
22 Jared Irwin.jpg Jared Irwin
(1750–1818)
January 15, 1796

January 12, 1798
(did not run)
Democratic-
Republican
1795
23 JamesJackson.jpg James Jackson
(1757–1806)
January 12, 1798

March 3, 1801
(resigned)
Democratic-
Republican
1797
1799
24 No image.svg David Emanuel
(1744–1808)
March 3, 1801

November 7, 1801
(did not run)
Democratic-
Republican
Succeeded from
president of
the Senate
25 No image.svg Josiah Tattnall
(d. 1803)
November 7, 1801

November 4, 1802
(resigned)
Democratic-
Republican
1801
26 Milledge.jpg John Milledge
(1757–1818)
November 4, 1802

September 23, 1806
(resigned)
Democratic-
Republican
1802
(special)
1803
1805
22 Jared Irwin.jpg Jared Irwin
(1750–1818)
September 23, 1806

November 10, 1809
(lost election)
Democratic-
Republican
Succeeded from
president of
the Senate
1807
27 Davidbrydiemitchell.jpg David Brydie Mitchell
(1766–1837)
November 10, 1809

November 5, 1813
(did not run)
Democratic-
Republican
1809
1811
28 GovernorPeterEarly.jpg Peter Early
(1773–1817)
November 5, 1813

November 10, 1815
(lost election)
Democratic-
Republican
1813
27 Davidbrydiemitchell.jpg David Brydie Mitchell
(1766–1837)
November 10, 1815

March 4, 1817
(resigned)
Democratic-
Republican
1815
29 No image.svg William Rabun
(1771–1819)
March 4, 1817

October 24, 1819
(died in office)
Democratic-
Republican
Succeeded from
president of
the Senate
1817
30 Matthew Talbot.jpg Matthew Talbot
(1767–1827)
October 24, 1819

November 5, 1819
(successor took office)
Democratic-
Republican
Succeeded from
president of
the Senate
31 John Clark.jpg John Clark
(1766–1832)
November 5, 1819

November 7, 1823
(did not run)
Democratic-
Republican
1819
1821
32 George M. Troup.jpg George Troup
(1780–1856)
November 7, 1823

November 7, 1827
(did not run)
Troup Democratic-
Republican
1823
1825
33 John Forsyth US Secretary of State.jpg John Forsyth
(1780–1841)
November 7, 1827

November 4, 1829
(did not run)
Troup Democratic-
Republican
1827
34 George Rockingham Gilmer.jpg George Rockingham Gilmer
(1790–1859)
November 4, 1829

November 9, 1831
(lost election)
Troup Democratic-
Republican
1829
35 Wilson Lumpkin.jpg Wilson Lumpkin
(1783–1870)
November 9, 1831

November 4, 1835
(did not run)
Union
(Democratic)
1831
1833
36 William Schley.jpg William Schley
(1786–1858)
November 4, 1835

November 8, 1837
(lost election)
Union
(Democratic)
1835
34 George Rockingham Gilmer.jpg George Rockingham Gilmer
(1790–1859)
November 8, 1837

November 6, 1839
(did not run)
State Rights
(Whig)
1837
37 CharlesJamesMcDonald (cropped).jpg Charles James McDonald
(1793–1860)
November 6, 1839

November 8, 1843
(did not run)
Union
(Democratic)
1839
1841
38 GeorgeWCrawford.jpg George W. Crawford
(1798–1872)
November 8, 1843

November 3, 1847
(did not run)
Whig 1843
1845
39 GeorgeWashTowns.jpg George W. Towns
(1801–1854)
November 3, 1847

November 5, 1851
(did not run)
Democratic 1847
1849
40 Howell Cobb-crop.jpg Howell Cobb
(1815–1868)
November 5, 1851

November 9, 1853
(did not run)
Constitutional
Union (Democratic)
1851
41 Herschel V. Johnson cph.3a02862.jpg Herschel V. Johnson
(1812–1880)
November 9, 1853

November 6, 1857
(did not run)
Democratic 1853
1855
42 Joseph Emerson Brown.jpg Joseph E. Brown
(1821–1894)
November 6, 1857

June 17, 1865
(resigned)
Democratic 1857
1859
1861
1863
43 JJohnson Governor.jpg James Johnson
(1811–1891)
June 17, 1865

December 19, 1865
(provisional term ended)
Provisional governor
appointed by President
44 CharJenkins.jpg Charles J. Jenkins
(1805–1883)
December 14, 1865

January 13, 1868
(removed from office)
Democratic 1865
45 Thomas H. Ruger (cropped).jpg Thomas H. Ruger
(1833–1907)
January 13, 1868

July 4, 1868
(state readmitted)
Military occupation
46 Rufus Bullock - Brady-Handy.jpg Rufus Bullock
(1834–1907)
July 4, 1868

October 30, 1871
(resigned)
Republican 1868
47 Benjamin Conley.jpg Benjamin F. Conley
(1815–1886)
October 30, 1871

January 12, 1872
(successor took office)
Republican President of
the Senate
acting
48 JamesMiltonSmith.jpg James Milton Smith
(1823–1890)
January 12, 1872

January 12, 1877
(did not run)
Democratic 1871
(special)
1872
49 Alfred Holt Colquitt.jpg Alfred H. Colquitt
(1824–1894)
January 12, 1877

November 4, 1882
(did not run)
Democratic 1876
1880
50 Alexander Stephens.jpg Alexander H. Stephens
(1812–1883)
November 4, 1882

March 4, 1883
(died in office)
Democratic 1882
51 James S. Boynton.jpg James S. Boynton
(1833–1902)
March 4, 1883

May 10, 1883
(successor took office)
Democratic President of
the Senate
acting
52 HenryDickersonMcDaniel.jpg Henry Dickerson McDaniel
(1836–1926)
May 10, 1883

November 9, 1886
(did not run)
Democratic 1883
(special)
1884
53 Jbgordon.jpg John B. Gordon
(1832–1904)
November 9, 1886

November 8, 1890
(term-limited)
Democratic 1886
1888
54 William J. Northen.jpg William J. Northen
(1835–1913)
November 8, 1890

October 27, 1894
(term-limited)
Democratic 1890
1892
55 William Yates Atkinson.jpg William Yates Atkinson
(1854–1899)
October 27, 1894

October 29, 1898
(term-limited)
Democratic 1894
1896
56 Allen D. Candler.jpg Allen D. Candler
(1834–1910)
October 29, 1898

October 25, 1902
(term-limited)
Democratic 1898
1900
57 JosephMTerrell.jpg Joseph M. Terrell
(1861–1912)
October 25, 1902

June 29, 1907
(term-limited)
Democratic 1902
1904
58 Hoke Smith cph.3a02321 (3x4b).jpg M. Hoke Smith
(1855–1931)
June 29, 1907

June 26, 1909
(lost nomination)
Democratic 1906
59 JosephMacBrown (cropped).jpg Joseph Mackey Brown
(1851–1932)
June 26, 1909

July 1, 1911
(lost election)
Democratic 1908
58 Hoke Smith cph.3a02321 (3x4b).jpg M. Hoke Smith
(1855–1931)
July 1, 1911

November 15, 1911
(resigned)
Democratic 1910
60 John Marshall Slaton.jpg John M. Slaton
(1866–1955)
November 15, 1911

January 25, 1912
(successor took office)
Democratic President of
the Senate
acting
59 JosephMacBrown (cropped).jpg Joseph Mackey Brown
(1851–1932)
January 25, 1912

June 28, 1913
(did not run)
Democratic 1912
(special)
60 John Marshall Slaton.jpg John M. Slaton
(1866–1955)
June 28, 1913

June 26, 1915
(did not run)
Democratic 1912
61 Nathaniel Harris 1882.png Nathaniel Edwin Harris
(1846–1929)
June 26, 1915

June 30, 1917
(lost nomination)
Democratic 1914
62 Hugh Dorsey.jpg Hugh Dorsey
(1871–1948)
June 30, 1917

June 25, 1921
(term-limited)
Democratic 1916
1918
63 Senator Thomas Hardwick.jpg Thomas W. Hardwick
(1872–1944)
June 25, 1921

June 30, 1923
(lost nomination)
Democratic 1920
64 GovernorCliffWalker (3x4).jpg Clifford Walker
(1877–1954)
June 30, 1923

June 25, 1927
(term-limited)
Democratic 1922
1924
65 Hardman222.jpg Lamartine Griffin Hardman
(1856–1937)
June 25, 1927

June 27, 1931
(term-limited)
Democratic 1926
1928
66 Richard Russell Jr. (GA).png Richard Russell Jr.
(1897–1971)
June 27, 1931

January 10, 1933
(did not run)
Democratic 1930
67 Eugene Talmadge, Georgia Governor.jpg Eugene Talmadge
(1884–1946)
January 10, 1933

January 12, 1937
(term-limited)
Democratic 1932
1934
68 E. D. Rivers Georgia Governor.jpg Eurith D. Rivers
(1895–1967)
January 12, 1937

January 14, 1941
(term-limited)
Democratic 1936
1938
67 Eugene Talmadge, Georgia Governor.jpg Eugene Talmadge
(1884–1946)
January 14, 1941

January 12, 1943
(lost nomination)
Democratic 1940
69 Ellis Arnall cropped.png Ellis Arnall
(1907–1992)
January 12, 1943

January 14, 1947
(term-limited)
Democratic 1942
Eugene Talmadge, Georgia Governor.jpg Eugene Talmadge
(1884–1946)
Died before
taking office
Democratic 1946   Thompson, Melvin E.Melvin E. Thompson
Herman Talmadge (GA).jpg Herman Talmadge
(1913–2002)
January 14, 1947

March 19, 1947
(removed from office)
Democratic
70 Melvin Thompson.png Melvin E. Thompson
(1903–1980)
March 19, 1947

November 17, 1948
(lost nomination)
Democratic Succeeded from
lieutenant
governor
Vacant
71 Herman Talmadge (GA).jpg Herman Talmadge
(1913–2002)
November 17, 1948

January 11, 1955
(term-limited)
Democratic 1948
(special)
Griffin, MarvinMarvin Griffin
1950
72 Marvingriffin (cropped).gif Marvin Griffin
(1907–1982)
January 11, 1955

January 13, 1959
(term-limited)
Democratic 1954 Vandiver, ErnestErnest Vandiver
73 Ernest Vandiver (1962).jpg Ernest Vandiver
(1918–2005)
January 13, 1959

January 15, 1963
(term-limited)
Democratic 1958 Byrd, Garland T.Garland T. Byrd
74 Carl Sanders.jpg Carl Sanders
(1925–2014)
January 15, 1963

January 11, 1967
(term-limited)
Democratic 1962 Geer, Peter ZackPeter Zack Geer
75 Lester Maddox.jpg Lester Maddox
(1915–2003)
January 11, 1967

January 12, 1971
(term-limited)
Democratic 1966 Smith, George T.George T. Smith
76 Jimmy Carter official portrait as Governor.jpg Jimmy Carter
(1924–2024)
January 12, 1971

January 14, 1975
(term-limited)
Democratic 1970 Maddox, LesterLester Maddox
77 George Busbee.jpg George Busbee
(1927–2004)
January 14, 1975

January 11, 1983
(term-limited)
Democratic 1974 Miller, ZellZell Miller
1978
78 Joe Frank Harris.jpg Joe Frank Harris
(b. 1936)
January 11, 1983

January 14, 1991
(term-limited)
Democratic 1982
1986
79 Zell B Miller (cropped).jpg Zell Miller
(1932–2018)
January 14, 1991

January 11, 1999
(term-limited)
Democratic 1990 Howard, PierrePierre Howard
1994
80 Roy Barnes concession speech (cropped).jpg Roy Barnes
(b. 1948)
January 11, 1999

January 13, 2003
(lost election)
Democratic 1998 Taylor, MarkMark Taylor
81 Sonny Perdue at rally.jpg Sonny Perdue
(b. 1946)
January 13, 2003

January 10, 2011
(term-limited)
Republican 2002
2006 Cagle, CaseyCasey Cagle
82 Nathan Deal, April 25, 2017 (cropped).jpg Nathan Deal
(b. 1942)
January 10, 2011

January 14, 2019
(term-limited)
Republican 2010
2014
83 David Perdue and Brian Kemp (cropped).jpg Brian Kemp
(b. 1963)
January 14, 2019

Incumbent
Republican 2018 Duncan, GeoffGeoff Duncan
2022 Jones, BurtBurt Jones

See also

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