| Governor of Michigan | |
|---|---|
 Seal of the governor | |
 Flag of the governor | |
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| Style | Her Excellency[1] |
| Status | |
| Residence | Michigan Governor's Mansion |
| Term length | Four years, renewable once |
| Precursor | Governor ofMichigan Territory |
| Inaugural holder | Stevens T. Mason |
| Formation | November 3, 1835 |
| Succession | Line of succession |
| Deputy | Lieutenant Governor of Michigan |
| Salary | $159,300 (2019) |
| Website | www |
Thegovernor of Michigan, is thehead of government of theU.S. state ofMichigan as well as thecommander-in-chief of the state'smilitary forces.[2] Thegovernor has a duty to enforce state laws;[3] the power to either approve orvetoappropriation bills passed by theMichigan Legislature;[4] the power to convene the legislature;[5] and the power to grantpardons, except in cases ofimpeachment.[6] The governor is also empowered to reorganize the executive branch of the state government.[7]
In the 17th and 18th century, Michigan was part of French and then British holdings, and administered by their colonial governors. After becoming part of the United States, areas of what is today Michigan were part of theNorthwest Territory,Indiana Territory andIllinois Territory, and administered by territorial governors. In 1805, theMichigan Territory was created, and five men served as territorial governors, until Michigan was granted statehood in 1837. Forty-seven individuals have held the position of state governor. The first female governor,Jennifer Granholm, served from 2003 to 2011.
After Michigan gained statehood, governors held the office for a 2-year term, until the 1963Michigan Constitution changed the term to 4 years. The number of times an individual could hold the office was unlimited until a 1992 constitutional amendment imposed a lifetimeterm limit of two 4-year governorships. The longest-serving governor in Michigan's history wasWilliam Milliken, who was promoted from lieutenant governor after GovernorGeorge W. Romney resigned to becomeSecretary of Housing and Urban Development, then was elected to three further successive terms. The only governors to serve non-consecutive terms wereJohn S. Barry andFrank Fitzgerald.
Michigan Territory was organized on June 30, 1805, from the north half ofIndiana Territory.[8] It had three governors appointed by thepresident of the United States, including the longest-serving governor of any territory,Lewis Cass, who served for 18 years.[9]
| No. | Governor | Term in office[a] | Appointed by | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | William Hull (1753–1825) [10] | March 1, 1805[b] – October 29, 1813 (successor appointed)[c] | Thomas Jefferson | |
| James Madison | |||||
| 2 |  | Lewis Cass (1782–1866) | October 29, 1813[d] – August 1, 1831 (resigned)[e] | James Madison | |
| James Monroe | |||||
| John Quincy Adams | |||||
| 3 |  | George Bryan Porter (1791–1834) [24] | August 6, 1831[f] – July 6, 1834 (died in office) | Andrew Jackson | |
| — |  | Stevens T. Mason (1811–1843) [27][28] | July 6, 1834 – September 21, 1835 (successor appointed)[g] | Territorial secretary acting | |
| — |  | John S. Horner (1802–1883) | September 21, 1835[33] – July 3, 1836 (resigned)[h] | Territorial secretary acting | |
Michigan wasadmitted to the Union on January 26, 1837. The original 1835Constitution of Michigan provided for the election of a governor and a lieutenant governor every 2 years.[35] The current constitution of 1963 increased this term to four years.[36] There was no term limit on governors until a 1993 constitutional amendment limited governors to two terms.[37]
Should the office of governor become vacant, thelieutenant governor becomes governor, followed in order of succession by thesecretary of state and theattorney general.[38] Prior to the current constitution, the duties of the office would devolve upon the lieutenant governor, without that person actually becoming governor.[39] Beginning in 1850, the term begins at noon on January 1 of the year following the election;[40] before, it had no set start date, and terms would last until when their successor was inaugurated, which would be at least the first Monday in January following their election.[41] Prior to the modern 1963 constitution, the governor and lieutenant governor were elected through separate votes, allowing them to be from different political parties. In 1963, this was changed, so that votes are cast jointly for a governor and lieutenant governor of the same political party.[36][42]
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