The following is the planned

order of succession An order of succession or right of succession is the line of individuals necessitated to hold a high office when it becomes vacated such as head of state or an honour such as a title of nobility.governorships of the 50

U.S. state In the United States, a state is a constituent political entity, of which there are 50. Bound together in a political union, each state holds governmental jurisdiction over a separate and defined geographic territory where it shares its sove ...

s, Washington, D.C. and the 5 organized

territories of the United States Territories of the United States are sub-national administrative divisions overseen by the federal government of the United States. The various American territories differ from the U.S. states and tribal reservations as they are not sove ...

, according to the

constitution A constitution is the aggregate of fundamental principles or established precedents that constitute the legal basis of a polity, organisation or other type of entity and commonly determine how that entity is to be governed. When these pr ...

s (and supplemental laws, if any) of each. Some states make a distinction whether the succeeding individual is acting as governor or becomes governor. From 1980 to 1999, there were 13 successions of governorships. From 2000 to 2019 this number increased to 29. The only instance since at least 1980 in which the second in line reached a state governorship was on January 8, 2002 when New Jersey Attorney General

John Farmer Jr. John J. Farmer Jr. (born June 24, 1957) is an American author, lawyer, politician, and jurist. He is the director of the Eagleton Institute of Politics, where he also leads the Miller Center for Community Protection and Resilience (CPR).

acted as governor for 90 minutes between

Donald DiFrancesco Donald Thomas DiFrancesco (born November 20, 1944) is a retired American politician who served as the 51st governor of New Jersey from 2001 to 2002. He succeeded Christine Todd Whitman after her resignation to become Administrator of the Environm ...

and

John O. Bennett John Orus Bennett III (born August 6, 1948) is an American former politician from New Jersey. A member of the Republican Party, he served as a state senator, and between 2002 and 2004, as president of the state senate. Bennett served as acting ...

's terms in that capacity as president of the Senate following governor

Christine Todd Whitman Christine Temple Whitman (née Todd; born September 26, 1946) is an American politician and author who served as the 50th governor of New Jersey from 1994 to 2001 and as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency in the administration ...

's resignation. In 2019, Secretary of Justice of Puerto Rico Wanda Vázquez Garced became governor when both the governor and secretary of state resigned in

Telegramgate Telegramgate, also known as Chatgate or RickyLeaks, was a political scandal involving Ricardo Rosselló, then Governor of Puerto Rico, which began on July 8, 2019, with the leak of hundreds of pages of a group chat on the messaging application ...

. From 1945 to 2016, 39 of those who succeeded to the governorship ran for and won election to a full term.

States

Alabama

Established by Article V, Section 127 of the

Constitution of Alabama The Constitution of the State of Alabama is the basic governing document of the U.S. state of Alabama. It was adopted in 2022 and is Alabama's seventh constitution. History Alabama has had seven constitutions to date, all but the current one est ...

Alaska

Established by Article III, Section 10 of the

Constitution of Alaska The Constitution of the State of Alaska was ratified on April 4, 1956 and took effect with Alaska's admission to the United States as a U.S. state on January 3, 1959. History and background The statehood movement In the 1940s, the movement for ...

Arizona

Established by Article V, Section 6 of the

Constitution of Arizona The Constitution of the State of Arizona is the governing document and framework for the State of Arizona. The current constitution is the first and only adopted by the state of Arizona. History The Arizona Territory was authorized to hold a ...

Arkansas

Established by Article VI, Section 5 of the Constitution of Arkansas as amended.

California

Established by Article V, Section 10 of the

Constitution of California The Constitution of California ( es, Constitución de California) is the primary organizing law for the U.S. state of California, describing the duties, powers, structures and functions of the government of California. California's original ...

and (GOV) Title 2, Division 3, Part 2, Art. 5.5 of the

California Codes The California Codes are 29 legal codes enacted by the California State Legislature, which together form the general statutory law of California. The official Codes are maintained by the California Office of Legislative Counsel for the Legislatur ...

Colorado

Established by Article IV, Section 13(7) of the

Constitution of Colorado The Constitution of the State of Colorado is the foundation of the laws and government of the U.S. state of Colorado. The current, and only, Colorado State Constitution was drafted on March 14, 1876; approved by Colorado voters on July 1, 1876; ...

Connecticut

Established by Article IV, Sections 18–21 of the Constitution of Connecticut.

Delaware

Established by Article III, Section 20 of the Constitution of Delaware.

Florida

Established by Article IV, Section 3 of the

Constitution of Florida The Constitution of the State of Florida is the document that establishes and describes the powers, duties, structure, and function of the government of the U.S. state of Florida, and establishes the basic law of the state. The current Constit ...

and Florida Statute 14.055.

Georgia

Established by Article V, Section 1, Paragraph V of the Constitution of Georgia.

Hawaii

Established by Article V, Section 4 of the

Constitution of Hawaii The Constitution of the State of Hawaii ( haw, Kumukānāwai o Hawaiʻi) refers to various legal documents throughout the history of the Hawaiian Islands that defined the fundamental principles of authority and governance within its sphere of juri ...

and Title 4 §26-2 of the Hawaii code.

Idaho

Established by Article IV, Sections 12–14 of the Constitution of Idaho.

Illinois

Established by Article V, Section 6 of the

Constitution of Illinois The Constitution of the State of Illinois is the governing document of the state of Illinois. There have been four Illinois Constitutions; the fourth and current version was adopted in 1970. The current constitution is referred to as the "Consti ...

and the Governor Succession Act

Indiana

Established by Article V, Section 10 of the

Constitution of Indiana The Constitution of Indiana is the highest body of state law in the U.S. state of Indiana. It establishes the structure and function of the state and is based on the principles of federalism and Jacksonian democracy. Indiana's constitution is su ...

Iowa

Established by Article IV, Sections 17–19 of the Constitution of Iowa.

Kansas

Established by KSA Statute 75–125 and the Emergency Interim Executive and Judicial Succession Act of 1994.

Kentucky

Established by Sections 84, 85 and 87 of the

Kentucky Constitution The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Kentucky is the document that governs the Kentucky, Commonwealth of Kentucky. It was first adopted in 1792 and has since been rewritten three times and amended many more. The later versions were adopted in 179 ...

Louisiana

Established by Article IV, Section 14 of the

Constitution of Louisiana The Louisiana Constitution is legally named the Constitution of the State of Louisiana and commonly called the Louisiana Constitution of 1974, and the Constitution of 1974. The constitution is the cornerstone of the law of Louisiana ensuring the ...

Maine

Established by Article V, Part 1, Section 14 of the

Constitution of Maine The Constitution of the State of Maine established the "State of Maine" in 1820 and is the fundamental governing document of the state. It consists of a Preamble and ten Articles (divisions), the first of which is a "Declaration of Rights". T ...

Maryland

Established by Article II, Section 6 of the

Constitution of Maryland The current Constitution of the State of Maryland, which was ratified by the people of the state on September 18, 1867, forms the basic law for the U.S. state of Maryland. It replaced the short-lived Maryland Constitution of 1864 and is the four ...

Massachusetts

Established by Article LV of the

Constitution of Massachusetts The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the fundamental governing document of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, one of the 50 individual state governments that make up the United States of America. As a member of the Massachuset ...

Michigan

Established by Article V, Section 26 of the

Constitution of Michigan The Constitution of the State of Michigan is the governing document of the U.S. state of Michigan. It describes the structure and function of the state's government. There have been four constitutions approved by the people of Michigan. The fi ...

, Section 10.2 of the Revised Statutes of 1846 and the Emergency Interim Executive Succession Act (PA 202 of 1959, Section 31.4)

Minnesota

Established by Article V, Section 5 of the

Minnesota Constitution The Constitution of the State of Minnesota was initially approved by the residents of Minnesota Territory in a special election held on October 13, 1857, and was ratified by the United States Senate on May 11, 1858, marking the admittance of Minne ...

and Minnesota Statute 4.06.

Mississippi

Established by Article V, Section 131 of the

Constitution of Mississippi The Constitution of Mississippi is the primary organizing law for the U.S. state of Mississippi delineating the duties, powers, structures, and functions of the state government. Mississippi's original constitution was adopted at a constituti ...

Missouri

Established by Article IV, Section 11(a) of the

Constitution of Missouri The Missouri Constitution is the state constitution of the U.S. State of Missouri. It is the supreme law formulating the law and government of Missouri, subject only to the federal Constitution, and the people. The fourth and current Missouri ...

Montana

Established by Article VI, Section 6 of the

Constitution of Montana The Constitution of the State of Montana is the primary legal document providing for the self-governance of the U.S. State of Montana. It establishes and defines the powers of the three branches of the government of Montana, and the rights o ...

and Montana Code 2-16-511 to 2-16-513.

Nebraska

Established by Article IV, Section 16 of the

Constitution of Nebraska The Nebraska Constitution is the basic governing document of the U.S. state of Nebraska. All acts of the Nebraska Legislature, the governor, and each governmental agency are subordinate to it. The constitution has been amended 228 times since i ...

and Nebraska Revised Statutes 84-120 and 84-121.

Nevada

Established by Nevada Revised Statute 223.080.

New Hampshire

Established by Part 2, Article 49 of the

Constitution of New Hampshire The Constitution of the State of New Hampshire is the fundamental law of the State of New Hampshire, with which all statute laws must comply. The constitution became effective June 2, 1784, when it replaced the state's constitution of 1776. Th ...

New Jersey

Established by Article V, Section I, Paragraph 7 of the

Constitution of New Jersey The Constitution of the State of New Jersey is the Constitution, basic governing document of the U.S. state, State of New Jersey. In addition to three British Royal Charters issued for East Jersey, West Jersey and united New Jersey while they wer ...

and New Jersey Revised Statute 52:14A-4.

New Mexico

Established by Article V, Section 7 of the Constitution of New Mexico

New York

Established by Article IV, Sections 5–6 of the

New York Constitution The Constitution of the State of New York establishes the structure of the government of the State of New York, and enumerates the basic rights of the citizens of New York. Like most state constitutions in the United States, New York's constitut ...

and Article 1-A, Section 5 of the Defense Emergency Act of 1951.

North Carolina

Established by Article III, Section 3 of the

Constitution of North Carolina The Constitution of the State of North Carolina governs the structure and function of the state government of North Carolina, one of the United States; it is the highest legal document for the state and subjugates North Carolina law. All U.S. st ...

and G.S. Section 147.11.1.

North Dakota

Established by Article V, Section 11 of the

Constitution of North Dakota The Constitution of North Dakota is the most basic legal document in the U.S. state of North Dakota. It consists of a preamble and fourteen articles. Amendments to the North Dakota Constitution have always required the approval of a majority of vo ...

Ohio

Established by Article III, Section 15 of the Constitution of Ohio and Title I, Chapter 161 of the

Ohio Revised Code The ''Ohio Revised Code'' contains all current statutes of the Ohio General Assembly of a permanent and general nature, consolidated into provisions, titles, chapters and sections. However, the only official publication of the enactments of the Ge ...

Oklahoma

As provided by Article VI, Section 15 of the

Constitution of Oklahoma The Constitution of the State of Oklahoma is the governing document of the U.S. State of Oklahoma. Adopted in 1907, Oklahoma ratified the United States Constitution on November 16, 1907, as the 46th U.S. state. At its ratification, the Oklahoma ...

and the Oklahoma Emergency Interim Executive and Judicial Succession Act.

Oregon

Established by Article V, Section 8a of the

Constitution of Oregon The Oregon Constitution is the governing document of the U.S. state of Oregon, originally enacted in 1857. As amended the current state constitution contains eighteen sections, beginning with a bill of rights.

Pennsylvania

Established by Article IV, Sections 13–14 of the

Pennsylvania Constitution The Constitution of Pennsylvania is the supreme law within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. All acts of the General Assembly, the governor, and each governmental agency are subordinate to it. Since 1776, Pennsylvania's Constitution has undergone ...

Rhode Island

Established by Article IX, Sections 9–10 of the

Constitution of Rhode Island The Constitution of the State of Rhode Island is a document describing the structure and function of the government of the U.S. State of Rhode Island. 1842 Constitution Constitutional Convention Prior to 1842, Rhode Island was still governed by ...

South Carolina

Established by Article IV, Sections 6 and 7 of the

South Carolina Constitution The Constitution of the State of South Carolina is the governing document of the U.S. state of South Carolina. It describes the structure and function of the state's government. The current constitution took effect on December 4, 1895. South Carol ...

and South Carolina Code of Laws sections 1-3-120, 1-3-130 and 1-9-30.

South Dakota

Established by Article IV, Section 6 of the

Constitution of South Dakota The structure of the Government of South Dakota is based on that of the federal government, with three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial. The structure of the state government is laid out in the Constitution of South Dako ...

Tennessee

Established by Article III, Section 12 of the

Constitution of Tennessee The Constitution of the State of Tennessee defines the form, structure, activities, character, and fundamental rules (and means for changing them) of the U.S. State of Tennessee. The original constitution of Tennessee came into effect on June 1, ...

and Acts 1941, Chapter 99 §1.

Texas

Established by Article IV, Sections 3a and 16–18 of the

Constitution of Texas The Constitution of the State of Texas is the document that establishes the structure and function of the government of the U.S. state of Texas, and enumerates the basic rights of the citizens of Texas. The current document was adopted on Febr ...

and Chapter 401.023 of Title 4 the Texas Code.

Utah

Established by Article VII, Section 11 of the

Constitution of Utah The Constitution of the State of Utah defines the basic form and operation of state government in Utah. History The Utah Constitution was drafted at a convention that opened on March 4, 1895 in Salt Lake City. The constitution was later approv ...

and the Emergency Interim Succession Act (C53-2a-803).

Vermont

Established by Chapter II, Section 20 of the Constitution of Vermont, 3 VSA §1 and 20 VSA §183.

Virginia

Established by Article V, Section 16 of the

Constitution of Virginia The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia is the document that defines and limits the powers of the state government and the basic rights of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Like all other state constitutions, it is supreme ...

Washington

Established by Article III, Section 10 of the

Constitution of Washington The Constitution of the State of Washington is the document that describes the structure and function of the government of the U.S. State of Washington. The constitution was adopted as part of Washington Territory's path to statehood in 1889. An e ...

West Virginia

Established by Article VII, Section 16 of the

Constitution of West Virginia The Constitution of the State of West Virginia West Virginia State Constitution is the supreme law of the U.S. state of West Virginia. It expresses the rights of the state's citizens and provides the framework for the organization of law and gover ...

Wisconsin

Established by Article V, Sections 7 and 8 of the

Constitution of Wisconsin The Constitution of the State of Wisconsin is the governing document of the U.S. State of Wisconsin. It establishes the structure and function of state government, describes the state boundaries, and declares the rights of state citizens. The W ...

Wyoming

Established by Article IV, Section 6 of the

Wyoming Constitution The Wyoming Constitution is the supreme governing document of the U.S. state of Wyoming. It was approved by a statewide vote of 6,272 to 1,923 on November 5, 1889. It was last amended in 2008. It was the first constitution in the United States whic ...

Federal district

Washington, D.C.

Established by Title IV, Section 421(c)(2) of the

District of Columbia Home Rule Act The District of Columbia Home Rule Act is a United States federal law passed on December 24, 1973, which devolved certain congressional powers of the District of Columbia to local government, furthering District of Columbia home rule. In par ...

Organized territories

American Samoa

Established by Article IV, Section 4

Constitution of American Samoa The Constitution of American Samoa is the constitution that defines the government of American Samoa. Unlike constitutions of a state, it is subject to unilateral change by the federal government. Constitutional documents of the territory include th ...

and Section 4.0106 of the American Samoa Codes Annotated.

Guam

Established by Subchapter 1, Section 1422(b) of the

Guam Organic Act of 1950 The Guam Organic Act of 1950, ( ''et seq.'', ) is a United States federal law that redesignated the island of Guam as an unincorporated territory of the United States, established executive, legislative, and judicial branches, and transferred f ...

Northern Mariana Islands

Established by Article III, Section 7 of the

Northern Mariana Islands Commonwealth Constitution The Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands is the governing document of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands ("CNMI"). Its creation was required by the covenant between the United States and the ...

Puerto Rico

Established by Article IV, Section 8 of the

Constitution of Puerto Rico The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico ( es, Constitución del Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico) is the controlling government document of Puerto Rico. It is composed of nine articles detailing the structure of the government ...

and Law No. 7 of 2005

U.S. Virgin Islands

Established by Subsection IV §1595(b, e) of the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands and the Executive Succession Act of 1972

Notes

References

{{reflist United States politics-related lists Political office-holders in the United States *