| Governor of New York | |
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 Seal of the governor of New York | |
 Standard of the governor of New York | |
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| Government of New York | |
| Style |
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| Residence | New York Executive Mansion |
| Term length | Four years, no term limit |
| Constituting instrument | New York Constitution of 1777 |
| Precursor | Royal Governor of the Province of New York |
| Inaugural holder | George Clinton |
| Formation | July 30, 1777 (248 years ago) (1777-07-30) |
| Succession | Line of succession |
| Deputy | Lieutenant Governor of New York |
| Salary | $250,000 (2023) |
| Website | Official website |
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Thegovernor of New York is thehead of government of theU.S. state ofNew York. The governor is the head of theexecutive branch ofNew York's state government and thecommander-in-chief of the state'smilitary forces. Thegovernor has a duty to enforce state laws and the power to either approve orveto bills passed by theNew York Legislature, to convene the legislature and grantpardons, except in cases ofimpeachment andtreason. The governor of New York is the highest paid governor in the country.
The current governor isKathy Hochul, a member of theDemocratic Party who took office on August 24, 2021, following the resignation ofAndrew Cuomo.[1] She waselected to a full term in 2022.[2]
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The position of governor in New York dates back to the British takeover of New Amsterdam, when the position replaced the former Dutch offices of director or director-general.[3]
TheNew York State Constitution, section XVII originates the role, reading:
"And this convention doth further, in the name and by the authority of the good people of this State, ordain, determine, and declare that the supreme executive power and authority of this State shall be vested in a governor; and that statedly, once in every three years, and as often as the seat of government shall become vacant, a wise and descreet freeholder of this State shall be, by ballot, elected governor..."[3]
The governor is directly elected every four years, in even-numbered years when there is no presidential election.[4] The governor is required to be a United States citizen and a resident of New York for five years preceding their election. No person can be elected as governor under the age of thirty.[4]
The governor has a duty to enforce state laws, and the power to either approve orvetobills passed by theNew York State Legislature, to convene the legislature, and to grantpardons, except in cases oftreason andimpeachment.[5] Unlike the other government departments that compose the executive branch of government, the governor is the head of the stateExecutive Department. The officeholder is afforded the courtesy style ofHis/HerExcellency while in office.[6]
Often considered a potential candidate forU.S. president, ten New York governors have been selected as presidential candidates by a major party, four of whom (Martin Van Buren,Grover Cleveland,Theodore Roosevelt, andFranklin D. Roosevelt) were elected asPresident of the United States. Meanwhile, six New York governors have gone on to serve asvice president.[7] Additionally, two New York governors,John Jay andCharles Evans Hughes, have served aschief justice.
In 2024–2025, Governor Kathy Hochul prioritized record investments in climate initiatives, major infrastructure projects like the new Hudson Tunnel, and tax cuts for middle-class New Yorkers, demonstrating the office’s evolving impact on environmental policy and state economic planning.[8][9][10]
The governor is responsible for appointing their Executive Chamber. These appointments do not require the confirmation of theNew York State Senate. Most political advisors report to the secretary to the governor, while most policy advisors report to the director of state operations, who also answers to the secretary to the governor, making that position, in practice, the true chief of staff and most powerful position in the Cabinet.[11] The actual "chief of staff" is in charge of the Office of Scheduling and holds no authority over other cabinet officials.[12]
The governor is also charged with naming the heads of the various departments, divisions, boards, and offices within the state government. These nominees require confirmation by the state Senate. While some appointees may share the title ofcommissioner,director, etc., only department level-heads are considered members of the actual state cabinet, although the heads of the various divisions, boards, and offices may attend cabinet-level meetings from time to time.
The Constitution of New York has provided since 1777 for the election of alieutenant governor of New York, who also acts as president of the State Senate, to the same term (keeping the same term lengths as the governor throughout all the constitutional revisions). Originally, in the event of the death, resignation or impeachment of the governor, or absence from the state, the lieutenant governor would take on the governor's duties and powers. Since the 1938 constitution, the lieutenant governor explicitly becomes governor upon such vacancy in the office.
Should the office of lieutenant governor become vacant, thetemporary president of the state senate[13] performs the duties of a lieutenant governor until the governor can take back the duties of the office, or the next election; likewise, should both offices become vacant, the temporary president acts as governor, with the office of lieutenant governor remaining vacant. Although no provision exists in the constitution for it,precedent set in 2009 allows the governor to appoint a lieutenant governor should a vacancy occur.[14] Should the temporary president be unable to fulfill the duties, the speaker of the assembly is next in the line of succession. The lieutenant governor is elected on the sameticket as the governor, but nominated separately.
Line of succession:
| Timeline of New York governors |
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{{cite book}}:ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)Officers of the state of New York | ||
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