List of governors of Georgia

The governor of Georgia is the head of government of Georgia and the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces. The current officeholder is Republican Brian Kemp, who assumed office on January 14, 2019.

There have officially been 77 governors of the State of Georgia, including 11 who served more than one distinct term (John Houstoun, George Walton, Edward Telfair, George Mathews, Jared Irwin, David Brydie Mitchell, George Rockingham Gilmer, M. Hoke Smith, Joseph Mackey Brown, John M. Slaton and Eugene Talmadge, with Herman Talmadge serving two de facto distinct terms).

The longest-serving governors are George Busbee, Joe Frank Harris, Zell Miller, Sonny Perdue and Nathan Deal, each of whom served two full four-year terms; Joseph E. Brown, governor during the Civil War, was elected four times, serving seven and a half years. The shortest term of the post-revolutionary period is that of Matthew Talbot, who served 13 days after succeeding his predecessor who died in office. Eugene Talmadge died in December 1946 before taking office in his second distinct term, leading to a dispute in which three people claimed the office.

Governors[]

Governors of the State of Georgia^[a]
No.^[b]	Governor		Term in office	Party	Election	Lt. Governor^[c]
7		Archibald Bulloch	January 22, 1776 – February 22, 1777 (died in office)	None	—^[d]	Office did not exist
8		Button Gwinnett	March 4, 1777 – May 8, 1777	None	—^[e]
9		John A. Treutlen	May 8, 1777 – January 10, 1778	None	—
10		John Houstoun	January 10, 1778 – December 29, 1778^[f]	None	—
—	Vacant Chairman of the Executive Council (Governor) John Houstoun January 10, 1778 – January 7, 1779 William Glascock January 7, 1779 – July 24, 1779 Seth John Cuthbert July 24, 1779 – August 6, 1779		December 29, 1778 – August 6, 1779	—	Government in chaos after fall of Savannah^[g]
11		John Wereat	August 6, 1779 – November 1779^[g]	None	—
12		George Walton	November 1779^[g] – January 4, 1780	None	—
13		Richard Howly	January 4, 1780 – February 5, 1780 (resigned)^[h]	—
		George Wells	February 6, 1780 – February 16, 1780	None	^[i]
14		Stephen Heard	February 18, 1780 – August 18, 1781	None
		Myrick Davies	August 1780 – August 16, 1781	None	^[j]
15		Nathan Brownson	August 18, 1781 – January 3, 1782 (term limited)	None
16		John Martin	January 3, 1782 – January 8, 1783 (term limited)	None
17		Lyman Hall	January 8, 1783 – January 9, 1784 (term limited)	None
10		John Houstoun	January 9, 1784 – January 6, 1785 (term limited)	None
18		Samuel Elbert	January 6, 1785 – January 9, 1786 (term limited)	None
19		Edward Telfair	January 9, 1786 – January 9, 1787 (term limited)	None
20		George Mathews	January 9, 1787 – January 26, 1788 (term limited)	None
21		George Handley	January 26, 1788 – January 7, 1789 (term limited)	None	^[k]
12		George Walton	January 7, 1789 – November 9, 1789 (term limited)	Democratic- Republican
19		Edward Telfair	November 9, 1789 – November 7, 1793 (lost election)	Democratic- Republican	^[l]
19		Edward Telfair	November 9, 1789 – November 7, 1793 (lost election)	Democratic- Republican
20		George Mathews	November 7, 1793 – January 15, 1796 (not candidate for election)	Democratic- Republican
22		Jared Irwin	January 15, 1796 – January 12, 1798 (not candidate for election)	Democratic- Republican
23		James Jackson	January 12, 1798 – March 3, 1801 (resigned)^[m]	Democratic- Republican
23		James Jackson	January 12, 1798 – March 3, 1801 (resigned)^[m]	Democratic- Republican
24		David Emanuel	March 3, 1801 – November 7, 1801 (not candidate for election)	Democratic- Republican	Succeeded from President of the Senate
25		Josiah Tattnall	November 7, 1801 – November 4, 1802 (resigned)^[n]	Democratic- Republican
26		John Milledge	November 4, 1802 – September 23, 1806 (resigned)^[o]	Democratic- Republican	(special)^[p]


22		Jared Irwin	September 23, 1806 – November 10, 1809 (not candidate for election)	Democratic- Republican	Succeeded from President of the Senate
22		Jared Irwin		Democratic- Republican
27		David Brydie Mitchell	November 10, 1809 – November 5, 1813 (not candidate for election)	Democratic- Republican
27		David Brydie Mitchell		Democratic- Republican
28		Peter Early	November 5, 1813 – November 20, 1815 (lost election)	Democratic- Republican
27		David Brydie Mitchell	November 20, 1815 – March 4, 1817 (resigned)^[q]	Democratic- Republican
29		William Rabun	March 4, 1817 – October 24, 1819 (died in office)	Democratic- Republican	Succeeded from President of the Senate
29		William Rabun	March 4, 1817 – October 24, 1819 (died in office)	Democratic- Republican
30		Matthew Talbot	October 24, 1819 – November 5, 1819 (successor took office)	Democratic- Republican	Succeeded from President of the Senate
31		John Clark	November 5, 1819 – November 7, 1823 (not candidate for election)	Democratic- Republican
31		John Clark		Democratic- Republican
32		George Troup	November 7, 1823 – November 7, 1827 (not candidate for election)	Democratic- Republican
32		George Troup		Democratic- Republican
33		John Forsyth	November 7, 1827 – November 4, 1829 (not candidate for election)	Democratic- Republican
34		George Rockingham Gilmer	November 4, 1829 – November 9, 1831 (not candidate for election)	Democratic- Republican
35		Wilson Lumpkin	November 9, 1831 – November 4, 1835 (not candidate for election)	Union (Democratic)
35		Wilson Lumpkin		Union (Democratic)
36		William Schley	November 4, 1835 – November 8, 1837 (not candidate for election)	Union (Democratic)
34		George Rockingham Gilmer	November 8, 1837 – November 6, 1839 (not candidate for election)	State Rights (Whig)
37		Charles James McDonald	November 6, 1839 – November 8, 1843 (not candidate for election)	Union (Democratic)	1839
37		Charles James McDonald		Union (Democratic)	1841
38		George W. Crawford	November 8, 1843 – November 3, 1847 (not candidate for election)	Whig	1843
38		George W. Crawford		Whig	1845
39		George W. Towns	November 3, 1847 – November 5, 1851 (not candidate for election)	Democratic	1847
39		George W. Towns		Democratic	1849
40		Howell Cobb	November 5, 1851 – November 9, 1853 (not candidate for election)	Constitutional Union	1851
41		Herschel Vespasian Johnson	November 9, 1853 – November 6, 1857 (not candidate for election)	Democratic
41		Herschel Vespasian Johnson		Democratic
42		Joseph E. Brown	November 6, 1857 – June 17, 1865^[r] (resigned)^[s]	Democratic



43		James Johnson	June 17, 1865 – December 14, 1865^[t] (provisional term ended)	Democratic	Provisional governor appointed by President^[u]
44		Charles J. Jenkins	December 14, 1865 – January 13, 1868 (not candidate for election)	Democratic	^[v]
45		Thomas H. Ruger	January 13, 1868 – July 4, 1868 (state readmitted)	—	Military occupation^[w]
46		Rufus Bullock	July 4, 1868^[x] – October 30, 1871^[y] (resigned)^[z]	Republican	^[aa]
47		Benjamin F. Conley	October 30, 1871 – January 12, 1872	Republican	President of the Senate acting as Governor
48		James Milton Smith	January 12, 1872 – January 12, 1877 (not candidate for election)	Democratic	(special)^[ab]
48		James Milton Smith		Democratic
49		Alfred H. Colquitt	January 12, 1877 – November 4, 1882 (not candidate for election)	Democratic
49		Alfred H. Colquitt		Democratic	^[ac]
50		Alexander H. Stephens	November 4, 1882 – March 4, 1883 (died in office)	Democratic
51		James S. Boynton	March 4, 1883 – May 10, 1883 (not candidate for election)	Democratic	President of the Senate acting as Governor
52		Henry Dickerson McDaniel	May 10, 1883 – November 9, 1886 (not candidate for election)^[ad]	Democratic	(special)^[ae]
52		Henry Dickerson McDaniel		Democratic
53		John Brown Gordon	November 9, 1886 – November 8, 1890 (term limited)	Democratic
53		John Brown Gordon	November 9, 1886 – November 8, 1890 (term limited)	Democratic
54		William J. Northen	November 8, 1890 – October 27, 1894 (term limited)	Democratic
54		William J. Northen	November 8, 1890 – October 27, 1894 (term limited)	Democratic
55		William Yates Atkinson	October 27, 1894 – October 29, 1898 (term limited)	Democratic
55		William Yates Atkinson	October 27, 1894 – October 29, 1898 (term limited)	Democratic
56		Allen D. Candler	October 29, 1898 – October 25, 1902 (term limited)	Democratic
56		Allen D. Candler	October 29, 1898 – October 25, 1902 (term limited)	Democratic
57		Joseph M. Terrell	October 25, 1902 – June 29, 1907 (term limited)	Democratic
57		Joseph M. Terrell	October 25, 1902 – June 29, 1907 (term limited)	Democratic	^[af]
58		M. Hoke Smith	June 29, 1907 – June 26, 1909 (not candidate for election)	Democratic
59		Joseph Mackey Brown	June 26, 1909 – July 1, 1911 (not candidate for election)	Democratic
58		M. Hoke Smith	July 1, 1911 – November 15, 1911^[ag] (resigned)^[ah]	Democratic
60		John M. Slaton	November 16, 1911 – January 25, 1912 (not candidate for election)	Democratic	President of the Senate acting as Governor
59		Joseph Mackey Brown	January 25, 1912 – June 28, 1913 (not candidate for election)	Democratic	(special)^[ai]
60		John M. Slaton	June 28, 1913 – June 26, 1915 (not candidate for election)	Democratic
61		Nathaniel Edwin Harris	June 26, 1915 – June 30, 1917 (not candidate for election)	Democratic
62		Hugh Dorsey	June 30, 1917 – June 25, 1921 (term limited)	Democratic
62		Hugh Dorsey	June 30, 1917 – June 25, 1921 (term limited)	Democratic
63		Thomas W. Hardwick	June 25, 1921 – June 30, 1923 (not candidate for election)	Democratic
64		Clifford Walker	June 30, 1923 – June 25, 1927 (term limited)	Democratic	1922
64		Clifford Walker	June 30, 1923 – June 25, 1927 (term limited)	Democratic	1924
65		Lamartine Griffin Hardman	June 25, 1927 – June 27, 1931 (term limited)	Democratic	1926
65		Lamartine Griffin Hardman	June 25, 1927 – June 27, 1931 (term limited)	Democratic	1928
66		Richard Russell Jr.	June 27, 1931 – January 10, 1933 (not candidate for election)	Democratic	1930^[aj]
67		Eugene Talmadge	January 10, 1933 – January 12, 1937 (term limited)	Democratic	1932
67		Eugene Talmadge	January 10, 1933 – January 12, 1937 (term limited)	Democratic	1934
68		Eurith D. Rivers	January 12, 1937 – January 14, 1941 (term limited)	Democratic	1936
68		Eurith D. Rivers	January 12, 1937 – January 14, 1941 (term limited)	Democratic	1938
67		Eugene Talmadge	January 14, 1941 – January 12, 1943 (not candidate for election)	Democratic	1940
69		Ellis Arnall	January 12, 1943 – January 14, 1947 (term limited)	Democratic	1942^[ak]
—		Eugene Talmadge	Died before taking office	Democratic	1946^[al]		Melvin E. Thompson
—		Herman Talmadge	January 14, 1947 – March 18, 1947 (removed from office)	Democratic	1946^[al]		Melvin E. Thompson
70		Melvin E. Thompson	March 18, 1947 – November 17, 1948 (lost election)	Democratic	Succeeded from Lieutenant Governor	Vacant
71		Herman Talmadge	November 17, 1948 – January 11, 1955 (term limited)	Democratic	1948 (special)^[am]		Marvin Griffin
71		Herman Talmadge	November 17, 1948 – January 11, 1955 (term limited)	Democratic	1950		Marvin Griffin
72		Marvin Griffin	January 11, 1955 – January 13, 1959 (term limited)	Democratic	1954		Ernest Vandiver
73		Ernest Vandiver	January 13, 1959 – January 15, 1963 (term limited)	Democratic	1958		Garland T. Byrd
74		Carl Sanders	January 15, 1963 – January 11, 1967 (term limited)	Democratic	1962		Peter Zack Geer
75		Lester Maddox	January 11, 1967 – January 12, 1971 (term limited)	Democratic	1966		George T. Smith
76		Jimmy Carter	January 12, 1971 – January 14, 1975 (term limited)	Democratic	1970		Lester Maddox
77		George Busbee	January 14, 1975 – January 11, 1983 (term limited)	Democratic	1974		Zell Miller
77		George Busbee	January 14, 1975 – January 11, 1983 (term limited)	Democratic	1978
78		Joe Frank Harris	January 11, 1983 – January 14, 1991 (term limited)	Democratic	1982
78		Joe Frank Harris	January 11, 1983 – January 14, 1991 (term limited)	Democratic	1986
79		Zell Miller	January 14, 1991 – January 11, 1999 (term limited)	Democratic	1990		Pierre Howard
79		Zell Miller	January 14, 1991 – January 11, 1999 (term limited)	Democratic	1994		Pierre Howard
80		Roy Barnes	January 11, 1999 – January 13, 2003 (lost election)	Democratic	1998		Mark Taylor^[an]
81		Sonny Perdue	January 13, 2003 – January 10, 2011 (term limited)	Republican	2002		Mark Taylor^[an]
81		Sonny Perdue	January 13, 2003 – January 10, 2011 (term limited)	Republican	2006		Casey Cagle
82		Nathan Deal	January 10, 2011 – January 14, 2019 (term limited)	Republican	2010
82		Nathan Deal	January 10, 2011 – January 14, 2019 (term limited)	Republican	2014
83		Brian Kemp	January 14, 2019 – present^[ao]	Republican	2018		Geoff Duncan

Succession[]

Notes[]

^ Data is sourced from the Official and Statistical Register of Georgia,^[1] unless supplemental references are required.
^ The state says Brian Kemp is the 83rd governor; this number is derived from the Official and Statistical Register of Georgia, last published by the Office of Secretary of State in 1978. It continues the numbering from the colonial governors and omits repeat governors, thus marking Archibald Bulloch as 7th and George Busbee as 77th.^[1]
^ The office of Lieutenant Governor was created in 1945, first being filled in 1947.
^ The revolutionary government did not necessarily follow any schedule or term lengths, and thus the election year is omitted until 1781, when it becomes easier to determine.
^ Gwinnett was elected by the council to succeed Bulloch.^[2]
^ The date given is the capture of Savannah, where the New Georgia Encyclopedia says his last official act as governor was to flee.^[3]
^ ^a ^b ^c The capture of Savannah threw the government into disarray and exile, and records are scarce as to dates and leadership. William Glascock (elected January 21, 1779)^[4] and Seth John Cuthbert (elected July 24, 1779), while often included in lists of governors, are omitted from the official state register, likely because of this reason. A school pamphlet from 1977 notes, "This confusing situation resulted in a number of radical Whigs, mainly from Wilkes County, organizing a second government with George Walton as governor and Glascock as speaker of the assembly. ... As a result of this makeshift election, there were two Whig governments plus the restored loyalist government."^[5]
^ Howly resigned to be a delegate to the Continental Congress.^[6]
^ George Wells succeeded Howly, but was killed in a duel on February 16, 1780; he is omitted from nearly every list of governors, including the official register.^[7] Stephen Heard then became governor.
^ Some sources say Myrick Davies was elected in August 1780 and served until his death;^[8] however, he is omitted from the official state register.
^ James Jackson was elected in 1788, but declined the position, citing inexperience.^[9]
^ First term under the 1789 constitution, which lengthened terms to two years.^[10]
^ Jackson resigned to take an elected seat in the United States Senate.^[9]
^ Tattnall resigned due to declining health.^[11]
^ Milledge resigned to take an elected seat in the United States Senate.^[12]
^ Special election for the remainder of Josiah Tattnall's term^[13]
^ Mitchell resigned to be agent to the Creek Indians.^[14]
^ One source states Brown left office on June 25, which could make sense as it would take several days for news of Johnson's appointment to reach Georgia. However, this source has not been corroborated.^[15]
^ Brown resigned following the defeat of the Confederate States of America.^[16]
^ At least one source states Johnson left office "five days after" Jenkins took office, which would be December 19.^[17] However, more contemporary sources say he left office on December 14.^[18]
^ Johnson was appointed provisional governor by the Union occupation.^[17]
^ Jenkins was removed from office by the military because he refused to allow state funds to be used for a racially integrated state constitutional convention; the state was still under military occupation during Reconstruction.^[19]
^ Provisional governor appointed by General George Meade^[20]
^ Some sources state Bullock took office on July 21, but more contemporary sources say July 4.^[18]
^ Some sources state Bullock resigned on October 23, but that is when he secretly submitted his resignation; it did not take effect until October 30.^[21]
^ Bullock resigned and fled the state to avoid impeachment; he was arrested in 1876 and found not guilty of embezzlement.^[21]
^ First term under the 1868 constitution, which lengthened terms to four years.^[22]
^ Special election for the remainder of Rufus Bullock's term^[23]
^ First term under the 1877 constitution, which shortened terms to two years.^[24]
^ McDaniel's first term was shortened, so it is not known if he can be considered term limited.
^ Special election for the remainder of Alexander Stephens' term^[25]
^ The start of a gubernatorial term has always been set by the legislature, rather than the constitution; it appears the start of this term changed from the last Saturday in October to the last Saturday in June, lengthening it by eight months.
^ Sources are split on whether Smith resigned on November 15 or November 16, with contemporary sources leaning towards November 15.^[26]
^ Smith resigned to take an elected seat in the United States Senate.^[27]
^ Special election for the remainder of Hoke Smith's term^[28]
^ The start of the term changed from the last Saturday in June to the second Tuesday in January, shortening this term by five months.^[29]
^ First term under the 1941 amendment to the constitution, which lengthened terms to four years.^[30]
^ Eugene Talmadge was elected to a third term in 1946, but died before taking office. Ellis Arnall, governor at the time, claimed the office, as did Lieutenant Governor Melvin Thompson. The state legislature chose Eugene Talmadge's son, Herman Talmadge, to be governor, but during what came to be called the "Three Governors controversy", the state supreme court declared this unconstitutional and declared Thompson rightful governor, and Talmadge stepped down after 67 days. Talmadge later defeated Thompson in a special election.^[31]
^ Special election to fill Eugene Talmadge's term^[31]
^ Represented the Democratic Party
^ Kemp's first term expires January 9, 2023.

References[]

General[]

"Former Georgia Governors". National Governors Association. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
"The New Georgia Encyclopedia". Retrieved June 21, 2019.
A History of Georgia, second ed. Kenneth Coleman, general editor. University of Georgia Press: 1991.
Candler, Allen Daniel (1908). The Revolutionary Records of the State of Georgia Volume 1. ISBN 9780404073008. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
Sobel, Robert (1978). Biographical directory of the governors of the United States, 1789-1978, Vol. I. Meckler Books. ISBN 9780930466015. Retrieved July 10, 2019.

Constitutions[]

"Constitution of the State of Georgia, as amended" (PDF). Secretary of State of Georgia. 1983. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
"Constitution of the State of Georgia, as ratified". University of Georgia. 1983. Archived from the original on November 28, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
"Constitution of the State of Georgia". University of Georgia. 1976. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
"Constitution of the State of Georgia". University of Georgia. 1945. Archived from the original on June 13, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
"Constitution of the State of Georgia". University of Georgia. 1877. Archived from the original on June 13, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
"Constitution of the State of Georgia". University of Georgia. 1868. Archived from the original on March 28, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
"Constitution of the State of Georgia". University of Georgia. 1865. Archived from the original on March 28, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
"Constitution of the State of Georgia". University of Georgia. 1861. Archived from the original on January 26, 2013. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
"Constitution of the State of Georgia". University of Georgia. 1798. Archived from the original on March 28, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
"Constitution of the State of Georgia". University of Georgia. 1789. Archived from the original on March 28, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
"Constitution of the State of Georgia". University of Georgia. 1777. Archived from the original on November 14, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
"Rules and Regulations of the Colony of Georgia". University of Georgia. 1776. Archived from the original on August 15, 2013. Retrieved November 28, 2012.

Specific[]

^ ^a ^b "Georgia Official and Statistical Register, 1977-1978 - page 1145". Digital Library of Georgia. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
^ "Button Gwinnett". National Governors Association. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
^ "John Houstoun". New Georgia Encyclopedia. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
^ Autobiography of a Colony: The First Half-Century of Augusta, Georgia. University of Georgia Press. 2009. p. 127. ISBN 9780820334424. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
^ "Political Changes in Georgia 1775-1787" (PDF). Georgia Department of Education. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
^ "Richard Howley". National Governors Association. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
^ Cashin, Edward J. (1974). "'The Famous Colonel Wells': Factionalism in Revolutionary Georgia". The Georgia Historical Quarterly. 58 (Supplement): 137–156. JSTOR 40579633.
^ "Stephen Heard". New Georgia Encyclopedia. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
^ ^a ^b "James Jackson". National Governors Association. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
^ 1789 Const. art. 2, § 1
^ "Josiah Tattnall". National Governors Association. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
^ "John Milledge". National Governors Association. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
^ "Georgia 1802 Governor, Special". Tufts University. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
^ "David Brydie Mitchell". National Governors Association. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
^ Otto, John Henry (2004). Memoirs of a Dutch Mudsill. Kent State University Press. ISBN 9780873387996.
^ "Joseph Emerson Brown". National Governors Association. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
^ ^a ^b "James Johnson". National Governors Association. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
^ ^a ^b McPherson, John Hanson Thomas (1896). The Government of the People of the State of Georgia. pp. 184–186. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
^ "Charles Jones Jenkins (1805-1883)". New Georgia Encyclopedia. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
^ "Thomas Ruger (1833-1907)". New Georgia Encyclopedia. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
^ ^a ^b "This Day in Georgia History - October 23, 1871: Rufus Bullock Resigned". Georgia Library Learning Online. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
^ 1868 Const. art. IV, § 1
^ "James Milton Smith". National Governors Association. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
^ 1877 Const. art. 5, § 1 par. 2
^ "Henry Dickerson McDaniel". National Governors Association. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
^ Congress, United States (1919). Official Congressional Directory. p. 17. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
^ "Hoke Smith". National Governors Association. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
^ "Joseph Mackey Brown". National Governors Association. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
^ "Richard Brevard Russell". National Governors Association. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
^ "Georgia's Official Register, 1939-1941-1943" (PDF). Georgia Department of Archives and History. p. 6. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
^ ^a ^b "Three Governors Controversy". New Georgia Encyclopedia. Retrieved June 21, 2019.

[2] Data is sourced from the Official and Statistical Register of Georgia,^[1] unless supplemental references are required.

[3] The state says Brian Kemp is the 83rd governor; this number is derived from the Official and Statistical Register of Georgia, last published by the Office of Secretary of State in 1978. It continues the numbering from the colonial governors and omits repeat governors, thus marking Archibald Bulloch as 7th and George Busbee as 77th.^[1]

[4] The office of Lieutenant Governor was created in 1945, first being filled in 1947.

[5] The revolutionary government did not necessarily follow any schedule or term lengths, and thus the election year is omitted until 1781, when it becomes easier to determine.

[7] Gwinnett was elected by the council to succeed Bulloch.^[2]

[9] The date given is the capture of Savannah, where the New Georgia Encyclopedia says his last official act as governor was to flee.^[3]

[savannah-12] The capture of Savannah threw the government into disarray and exile, and records are scarce as to dates and leadership. William Glascock (elected January 21, 1779)^[4] and Seth John Cuthbert (elected July 24, 1779), while often included in lists of governors, are omitted from the official state register, likely because of this reason. A school pamphlet from 1977 notes, "This confusing situation resulted in a number of radical Whigs, mainly from Wilkes County, organizing a second government with George Walton as governor and Glascock as speaker of the assembly. ... As a result of this makeshift election, there were two Whig governments plus the restored loyalist government."^[5]

[14] Howly resigned to be a delegate to the Continental Congress.^[6]

[16] George Wells succeeded Howly, but was killed in a duel on February 16, 1780; he is omitted from nearly every list of governors, including the official register.^[7] Stephen Heard then became governor.

[18] Some sources say Myrick Davies was elected in August 1780 and served until his death;^[8] however, he is omitted from the official state register.

[20] James Jackson was elected in 1788, but declined the position, citing inexperience.^[9]

[22] First term under the 1789 constitution, which lengthened terms to two years.^[10]

[23] Jackson resigned to take an elected seat in the United States Senate.^[9]

[25] Tattnall resigned due to declining health.^[11]

[27] Milledge resigned to take an elected seat in the United States Senate.^[12]

[29] Special election for the remainder of Josiah Tattnall's term^[13]

[31] Mitchell resigned to be agent to the Creek Indians.^[14]

[33] One source states Brown left office on June 25, which could make sense as it would take several days for news of Johnson's appointment to reach Georgia. However, this source has not been corroborated.^[15]

[35] Brown resigned following the defeat of the Confederate States of America.^[16]

[38] At least one source states Johnson left office "five days after" Jenkins took office, which would be December 19.^[17] However, more contemporary sources say he left office on December 14.^[18]

[39] Johnson was appointed provisional governor by the Union occupation.^[17]

[41] Jenkins was removed from office by the military because he refused to allow state funds to be used for a racially integrated state constitutional convention; the state was still under military occupation during Reconstruction.^[19]

[43] Provisional governor appointed by General George Meade^[20]

[44] Some sources state Bullock took office on July 21, but more contemporary sources say July 4.^[18]

[46] Some sources state Bullock resigned on October 23, but that is when he secretly submitted his resignation; it did not take effect until October 30.^[21]

[47] Bullock resigned and fled the state to avoid impeachment; he was arrested in 1876 and found not guilty of embezzlement.^[21]

[49] First term under the 1868 constitution, which lengthened terms to four years.^[22]

[51] Special election for the remainder of Rufus Bullock's term^[23]

[53] First term under the 1877 constitution, which shortened terms to two years.^[24]

[54] McDaniel's first term was shortened, so it is not known if he can be considered term limited.

[56] Special election for the remainder of Alexander Stephens' term^[25]

[57] The start of a gubernatorial term has always been set by the legislature, rather than the constitution; it appears the start of this term changed from the last Saturday in October to the last Saturday in June, lengthening it by eight months.

[59] Sources are split on whether Smith resigned on November 15 or November 16, with contemporary sources leaning towards November 15.^[26]

[61] Smith resigned to take an elected seat in the United States Senate.^[27]

[63] Special election for the remainder of Hoke Smith's term^[28]

[65] The start of the term changed from the last Saturday in June to the second Tuesday in January, shortening this term by five months.^[29]

[67] First term under the 1941 amendment to the constitution, which lengthened terms to four years.^[30]

[69] Eugene Talmadge was elected to a third term in 1946, but died before taking office. Ellis Arnall, governor at the time, claimed the office, as did Lieutenant Governor Melvin Thompson. The state legislature chose Eugene Talmadge's son, Herman Talmadge, to be governor, but during what came to be called the "Three Governors controversy", the state supreme court declared this unconstitutional and declared Thompson rightful governor, and Talmadge stepped down after 67 days. Talmadge later defeated Thompson in a special election.^[31]

[70] Special election to fill Eugene Talmadge's term^[31]

[71] Represented the Democratic Party

[72] Kemp's first term expires January 9, 2023.

[register-1] "Georgia Official and Statistical Register, 1977-1978 - page 1145". Digital Library of Georgia. Retrieved January 15, 2019.

[nga-gwinnett-6] "Button Gwinnett". National Governors Association. Retrieved June 21, 2019.

[ge-houstoun-8] "John Houstoun". New Georgia Encyclopedia. Retrieved January 15, 2019.

[10] Autobiography of a Colony: The First Half-Century of Augusta, Georgia. University of Georgia Press. 2009. p. 127. ISBN 9780820334424. Retrieved January 15, 2019.

[11] "Political Changes in Georgia 1775-1787" (PDF). Georgia Department of Education. Retrieved January 15, 2019.

[nga-howley-13] "Richard Howley". National Governors Association. Retrieved June 21, 2019.

[15] Cashin, Edward J. (1974). "'The Famous Colonel Wells': Factionalism in Revolutionary Georgia". The Georgia Historical Quarterly. 58 (Supplement): 137–156. JSTOR 40579633.

[17] "Stephen Heard". New Georgia Encyclopedia. Retrieved January 15, 2019.

[nga-jackson-19] "James Jackson". National Governors Association. Retrieved July 10, 2019.

[1789const-a2s1-21] 1789 Const. art. 2, § 1

[nga-tattnall-24] "Josiah Tattnall". National Governors Association. Retrieved June 21, 2019.

[nga-milledge-26] "John Milledge". National Governors Association. Retrieved June 21, 2019.

[28] "Georgia 1802 Governor, Special". Tufts University. Retrieved August 28, 2016.

[nga-mitchell-30] "David Brydie Mitchell". National Governors Association. Retrieved June 21, 2019.

[32] Otto, John Henry (2004). Memoirs of a Dutch Mudsill. Kent State University Press. ISBN 9780873387996.

[nga-brownje-34] "Joseph Emerson Brown". National Governors Association. Retrieved June 21, 2019.

[nga-johnsonj-36] "James Johnson". National Governors Association. Retrieved July 10, 2019.

[gov-ga-37] McPherson, John Hanson Thomas (1896). The Government of the People of the State of Georgia. pp. 184–186. Retrieved August 27, 2016.

[40] "Charles Jones Jenkins (1805-1883)". New Georgia Encyclopedia. Retrieved June 21, 2019.

[42] "Thomas Ruger (1833-1907)". New Georgia Encyclopedia. Retrieved June 21, 2019.

[gi-bullock-45] "This Day in Georgia History - October 23, 1871: Rufus Bullock Resigned". Georgia Library Learning Online. Retrieved August 27, 2016.

[1868const-a4-s1-48] 1868 Const. art. IV, § 1

[nga-smithj-50] "James Milton Smith". National Governors Association. Retrieved June 21, 2019.

[1877const-a5-s1-52] 1877 Const. art. 5, § 1 par. 2

[nga-mcdaniel-55] "Henry Dickerson McDaniel". National Governors Association. Retrieved June 21, 2019.

[58] Congress, United States (1919). Official Congressional Directory. p. 17. Retrieved August 27, 2016.

[nga-smithh-60] "Hoke Smith". National Governors Association. Retrieved June 21, 2019.

[nga-brownjm-62] "Joseph Mackey Brown". National Governors Association. Retrieved June 21, 2019.

[nga-russell-64] "Richard Brevard Russell". National Governors Association. Retrieved July 10, 2019.

[amendment-1941-66] "Georgia's Official Register, 1939-1941-1943" (PDF). Georgia Department of Archives and History. p. 6. Retrieved June 23, 2019.

[3govs-68] "Three Governors Controversy". New Georgia Encyclopedia. Retrieved June 21, 2019.

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v t State of Georgia
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Georgia (U.S. state) portal Category WikiProject

v t Chief executives of the United States
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v t Governors of Georgia
1777–present
Bulloch Gwinnett Treutlen Houstoun Glascock Cuthbert Wereat Walton Howly George Wells Humphrey Wells Heard Davies Brownson Martin Hall Houstoun Elbert Telfair Mathews Handley Walton Telfair Mathews Irwin Jackson Emanuel Tattnall Milledge Irwin Mitchell Early Mitchell Rabun Talbot Clark Troup Forsyth Gilmer Lumpkin Schley Gilmer McDonald Crawford Towns Cobb H. Johnson J. E. Brown J. Johnson Jenkins Ruger Bullock Conley J. Smith Colquitt Stephens Boynton McDaniel Gordon Northen Atkinson Candler Terrell H. Smith J. M. Brown H. Smith Slaton J. M. Brown Slaton N. Harris Dorsey Hardwick Walker Hardman Russell E. Talmadge Rivers E. Talmadge Arnall Thompson H. Talmadge Griffin Vandiver Sanders Maddox Carter Busbee J. Harris Miller Barnes Perdue Deal Kemp
Category

v t Years in the U.S. state of Georgia (1788–present)
Pre-1788 1788 1789 1790 1791 1792 1793 1794 1795 1796 1797 1798 1799 1800
1801 1802 1803 1804 1805 1806 1807 1808 1809 1810 1811 1812 1813 1814 1815 1816 1818 1819 1820 1821 1822 1823 1824 1825 1826 1827 1828 1829 1830 1831 1832 1833 1834 1835 1836 1837 1838 1839 1840 1841 1842 1843 1844 1845 1846 1847 1848 1849 1850 1851 1852 1853 1854 1855 1856 1857 1858 1859 1860 1861 1862 1863 1864 1865 1866 1867 1868 1869 1870 1871 1872 1873 1874 1875 1876 1877 1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900
1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021