List of governors of Arizona

The governor of Arizona is the head of state and government of the U.S. state of Arizona and the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces. The governor is also the head of the executive branch of the state government and is the chairwoman of the gubernatorial cabinet.

Governor of Arizona
State Seal of Arizona.svg
= Current Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs
Incumbent
Katie Hobbs

since January 2, 2023
Style
TypeHead of state
Head of government
Member ofArizona Executive Branch
Arizona Cabinet
ResidenceNo official residence
SeatPhoenix, Arizona
AppointerPopular election
Term lengthFour years, renewable once
Constituting instrumentConstitution of Arizona
Inaugural holderGeorge W. P. Hunt
FormationFebruary 14, 1912
Salary$95,000 (2013)[1]
Websitewww.azgovernor.gov

Katie Hobbs is the 24th and current governor of Arizona, in office since January 2023.

Powers and duties

The governor has the power to enforce state laws and the duty to either approve or veto bills passed by the Arizona Legislature or the Arizona Senate to assemble the legislature and grant pardons, except in cases of impeachment.

Eligibility & requirements

Article V, Section 2 of the state's constitution states for a person to serve as governor must:

  • be at least 25 years old
  • be a qualified voter in Arizona
  • have been a citizen of the United States for 10 years
  • have been a resident of Arizona for at least five years.

Election process and gubernatorial term limits

The governor is elected by the people through the popular election to a four-year term. The gubernatorial candidate or incumbent governor must have the majority of the popular vote in order to win the election.

The state's constitution forbids anyone from being elected governor more than twice.

List of governors of Arizona

#[a]   Governor Term start Term end Party Terms[b]
1   Hunt, George W. P.George W. P. Hunt February 14, 1912 January 1, 1917 Democratic 2
2 Campbell, Thomas EdwardThomas Edward Campbell January 1, 1917 December 25, 1917 Republican 12[c]
1 Hunt, George W. P.George W. P. Hunt December 25, 1917 January 6, 1919 Democratic 12[c]
2 Campbell, Thomas EdwardThomas Edward Campbell January 6, 1919 January 1, 1923 Republican 2
1 Hunt, George W. P.George W. P. Hunt January 1, 1923 January 7, 1929 Democratic 3
3 Phillips, John CalhounJohn Calhoun Phillips January 7, 1929 January 5, 1931 Republican 1
1 Hunt, George W. P.George W. P. Hunt January 5, 1931 January 2, 1933 Democratic 1
4 Moeur, Benjamin BakerBenjamin Baker Moeur January 2, 1933 January 4, 1937 Democratic 2
5 Stanford, Rawghlie ClementRawghlie Clement Stanford January 4, 1937 January 2, 1939 Democratic 1
6 Jones, Robert TaylorRobert Taylor Jones January 2, 1939 January 6, 1941 Democratic 1
7 Osborn, Sidney PrestonSidney Preston Osborn January 6, 1941 May 25, 1948 Democratic 3+12[d]
8 Garvey, Dan EdwardDan Edward Garvey May 25, 1948 January 1, 1951 Democratic 1+12[e]
9 Pyle, John HowardJohn Howard Pyle January 1, 1951 January 3, 1955 Republican 2
10 McFarland, ErnestErnest McFarland January 3, 1955 January 5, 1959 Democratic 2
11 Fannin, PaulPaul Fannin January 5, 1959 January 4, 1965 Republican 3
12 Goddard, Jr., Samuel PearsonSamuel Pearson Goddard, Jr. January 4, 1965 January 2, 1967 Democratic 1
13 Williams, Jack RichardJack Richard Williams January 2, 1967 January 6, 1975 Republican 3[f]
14 Castro, Raúl HéctorRaúl Héctor Castro January 6, 1975 October 20, 1977 Democratic 13[g]
15 Bolin, WesleyWesley Bolin October 20, 1977 March 4, 1978 Democratic 13[d][h]
16 Babbitt, BruceBruce Babbitt March 4, 1978 January 5, 1987 Democratic 2+13[i]
17 Mecham, EvanEvan Mecham January 5, 1987 April 4, 1988 Republican 12[j]
18 Mofford, RoseRose Mofford April 4, 1988 March 6, 1991 Democratic 12[h]
19 Symington, FifeFife Symington March 6, 1991 September 5, 1997 Republican 1+12[k][l][m]
20 Hull, Jane DeeJane Dee Hull September 5, 1997 January 6, 2003 Republican 1+12[e][m]
21 Napolitano, JanetJanet Napolitano January 6, 2003 January 21, 2009 Democratic 1+12[n]
22 Brewer, JanJan Brewer January 21, 2009 January 5, 2015 Republican 1+12[e]
23 Ducey, DougDoug Ducey January 5, 2015 January 2, 2023 Republican 2
24 Hobbs, KatieKatie Hobbs January 2, 2023 Incumbent Democratic 1[o]

List Of Governors Of Arizona Media

Notes

  1. Repeat governors are officially numbered only once; subsequent terms are marked with their original number italicized.
  2. The fractional terms of some governors are not to be understood absolutely literally; rather, they are meant to show single terms during which multiple governors served, due to resignations, deaths and the like.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Thomas Edward Campbell's narrow election win was overturned by the Arizona Supreme Court on December 22, 1917, which, following a recount, awarded the office to George W.P. Hunt. Campbell vacated the office three days later.[2]
  4. 4.0 4.1 Died in office.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 As secretary of state, filled unexpired term, and was subsequently elected in their own right.
  6. The Constitution was amended in 1968 to increase gubernatorial terms from two to four years; Williams' first two terms were for two years, his third was for four years.
  7. Resigned to take post as U.S. Ambassador to Argentina.
  8. 8.0 8.1 As secretary of state, filled unexpired term.
  9. As state attorney general, filled unexpired term, and was subsequently elected in his own right; the secretary of state at the time had been appointed,[3] not elected, and therefore not in the line of succession according to the Arizona constitution.[4]
  10. Impeached and removed from office on charges of obstruction of justice and misuse of government funds.[5]
  11. Arizona adopted runoff voting after Evan Mecham won with only 43% of the vote. The 1990 election was very close, and a runoff was held on February 26, 1991, which Symington won, and he was inaugurated on March 6, 1991.[6]
  12. Resigned after being convicted of bank fraud, since state law does not allow felons to hold office; the conviction was later overturned and he was pardoned by President Bill Clinton.[7]
  13. 13.0 13.1 Fife Symington resigned on September 5, 1997; Jane Dee Hull did not take the oath of office until September 8, but she was governor for those three days regardless of the delay.[8]
  14. Resigned to become U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security.
  15. Governor Ducey's term expires on January 5, 2027.

References

  1. "CSG Releases 2013 Governor Salaries". The Council of State Governments. June 25, 2013. Archived from the original on October 22, 2014. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  2. "Arizona Governor Thomas Edward Campbell". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 10, 2009. Retrieved October 13, 2008.
  3. "Arizona Governor Rose Mofford". National Governors Association. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
  4. AZ Const. art 5, § 6
  5. "Arizona Governor Evan Mecham". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 10, 2009. Retrieved October 13, 2008.
  6. Mullaney, Marie Marmo (1994). Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1988–1994. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 29–30. ISBN 0-313-28312-5. Retrieved October 11, 2008.
  7. "Arizona Governor J. Fife Symington III". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 9, 2009. Retrieved October 13, 2008.
  8. Todd S., Purdum (1997-09-04). "Arizona Governor Convicted Of Fraud and Will Step Down". The New York Times. https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0CE0D81530F937A3575AC0A961958260. Retrieved October 11, 2008.