List of Governors of Massachusetts

With the writing of that sentence in 1779, the executive branch of the new Commonwealth came into being. The Governor of Massachusetts is the chief executive of the Commonwealth, and is supported by a number of subordinate officers. He, like most other state officers, senators, and representatives, was originally elected annually. Eventually this was changed to a two-year term, and currently the office of governor carries a four-year term. The Governor of Massachusetts does not receive a palace, other official residence, or housing allowance. Instead, he continues to reside in his private residence. The title of "His Excellency" is a throwback to the executives of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Province of New England, and Royal Colony of Massachusetts, all of whom, as royal appointees, were afforded this title.

The governor also serves as Commander-in-Chief of the Commonwealth's armed forces, a position the power of which has declined as the states of the United States have become less individual nations and more subnational units.

Lieutenant Governor

Part the Second, Chapter II, Section II, Article I of the Massachusetts Constitution reads,

The lieutenant governor serves in place of the governor when he is away from the State House. Historically also a one-year term, the office of lieutenant governor now carries a four-year term the same as that of the governor. Noted in the article above are religious, property, and residency requirements for both the office of governor and lieutenant governor, of which only the residency requirement remains in effect. To be eligible for either office, a candidate must have lived in Massachusetts for at least seven years immediately preceding his election, and originally also had to be a Christian owning at least £1,000.00 worth of real property.

Succession

According to the constitution, whenever the chair of the governor is vacant, the lieutenant governor shall take over as acting governor. The first time this came into use was five years after the constitution's adoption, when in 1785 Governor John Hancock resigned his post with five months remaining before the inauguration of Gov. James Bowdoin. Most recently, Jane Swift became Acting Governor upon the resignation of Paul Cellucci. It is important to note that under the system in place, the lieutenant governor never becomes governor -- only Acting Governor.

No Single Governor

Whenever both the governor and his lieutenant left their offices vacant, the Governor's Council was charged with acting as governor. Gov. Increase Sumner died in office on June 7, 1799, leaving Lt. Gov. Moses Gill as Governor of the Commonwealth. Governor Gill never received a lieutenant, and died himself on May 20, 1800.

For the ten days between Governor Gill's death and Gov. Caleb Strong's inauguration, the Governor's Council became the executive arm of the Commonwealth's government. Its chair, Thomas Dawes, was the closest person to governor during this time, but was at no point named governor.

New and Current Line of Succession

Article LV of the Constitution annulled this line of succession and created a new line that did not entrust the governorship to an eight-member council. The new and current line of succession is as follows:

• Governor (Mitt Romney)
• Lieutenant Governor (Kerry Healey)
• Secretary of the Commonwealth (William Francis Galvin)
• Attorney General (Thomas Francis Reilly)
• Treasurer and Receiver-General (Tim Cahill)
• Auditor (A. Joseph DeNucci)

At least one time during the Romney administration, both the governor and lieutenant-governor were out of the state on vacation. While never needing to act in this capacity, Bill Galvin assumed the role of Acting Governor while they were away.

Massachusetts Governors since 1780

Colonial governors can be found at page for the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

External links

Office of the Governorde:Liste der Gouverneure von Massachusetts fr:Liste des gouverneurs du Massachusetts