| Governor of New Mexico | |
|---|---|
| Spanish:Gobernadora de Nuevo México | |
 Seal of the governor | |
| Style |
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| Status | |
| Residence | New Mexico Governor's Mansion |
| Term length | Four years, renewable once consecutively |
| Constituting instrument | New Mexico Constitution |
| Precursor |
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| Inaugural holder | William C. McDonald |
| Formation | January 14, 1912 (113 years ago) (1912-01-14) |
| Succession | Line of succession |
| Deputy | Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico |
| Salary | $110,000 (2022)[1] |
| Website | Official website |
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Thegovernor of New Mexico (Spanish:gobernador de Nuevo México) is thehead of government ofNew Mexico. The governor is the head of theexecutive branch ofNew Mexico's state government and thecommander-in-chief of theNew Mexico National Guard. As noted in the governor's seal, this gubernatorial office is a scion of theSpanish andMexican governors ofNuevo México (1598) and the governors of theNew Mexico Territory (1851). The officeholder is afforded the courtesy title ofThe Honorable for life. The current governor isMichelle Lujan Grisham, aDemocrat, who was sworn in as the 32nd governor of New Mexico on January 1, 2019.[2]
During the occupation of New Mexico by the United States Military starting in 1846, a military governor was appointed to oversee the area; military governors, at times, were assisted by civilian governors. In 1850, New Mexico was organized as aTerritory, and the governor was appointed by the President of the United States. The office of governor was created in 1912 when New Mexico was officially admitted to theUnited States as the 47th state.
Section Three of Article V of theNew Mexico Constitution establishes the requirements a person must meet in order to become governor. The governor must be acitizen of the United States, be at least 30 years old, and have been a resident of New Mexico for at least five years prior to election.
Under Section One of Article V of the New Mexico Constitution, a governor may be elected any number of times, but not more than twice in a row. Governors serving two consecutive terms are eligible to run again after sitting out one full term.
Thelieutenant governor of New Mexico is elected jointly as therunning mate of the gubernatorial candidate in general elections.
While the governor heads the Executive Branch of the New Mexico state government, the governor does not have absolute power. Other state executives, such as thelieutenant governor, thesecretary of state, and theattorney general are also elected to office.
Responsibilities include making annualState of the State addresses to theNew Mexico State Legislature, submitting the budget, and ensuring that state laws are enforced.
Since 1954, the Governor of New Mexico has resided in theNew Mexico Governor's Mansion. Prior to its construction, the governor's residence was located adjacent to theNew Mexico State Capitol in downtownSanta Fe. Before 1909, the governor resided in thePalace of the Governors, which is listed as aNational Historic Landmark. The Palace of the Governors is the oldest continuously occupied public building in the United States.[citation needed]
According to Section Seven of Article V of the New Mexico Constitution, in the event of the death, resignation, removal,impeachment, absence from the state, failure to qualify, or incapacity due to illness of the governor, thelieutenant governor is the first person in theorder of succession and thus serves as governor.
If there is no lieutenant governor, or that person is unable to perform the duties of governor, theSecretary of State serves as governor. If there is no Secretary of State, the President pro Tempore of theSenate serves as governor. If there is no President pro Tempore of the Senate, or if that person is unable to perform the duties of governor, then the Speaker of theHouse serves as governor.
| # | Office | Current officer |
|---|---|---|
| May succeed to governorship | ||
| Governor of New Mexico | Michelle Lujan Grisham | |
| 1 | Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico | Howie Morales |
| 2 | Secretary of State of New Mexico | Maggie Toulouse Oliver |
| 3 | President Pro Tempore of the Senate | Mimi Stewart |
| 4 | Speaker of the House of Representatives | Javier Martínez |
| May serve as Emergency Interim Successor | ||
| 5 | Attorney General of New Mexico | Raul Torrez |
| 6 | State Auditor | Joseph Maestas |
| 7 | State Treasurer | Laura Montoya |
| 8 | Commissioner of Public Lands | Stephanie Garcia Richard |
| Timeline of New Mexico governors |
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 New Mexico statewide elected officials | |
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