Governor of New Hampshire
Encyclopedia
The Governor of the State of New Hampshire is the supreme executive magistrate of the U.S. state
of New Hampshire
.
The governor is elected at the biennial state general election in November of even-numbered years. New Hampshire is one of only two states, along with bordering Vermont
, to hold gubernatorial elections every two years as opposed to every four. Currently, the governor is Democrat
John Lynch from Hopkinton
, who has served since 2005 and is the state's eightieth governor. In New Hampshire, the governor has no term limit
of any kind, but no governor had served more than three terms since the 18th century (when the term was for only one year) until John Lynch won an unprecedented fourth two-year term on November 2, 2010. John Taylor Gilman
was the last governor to serve longer than six years, serving 14 one-year terms as governor between 1794 and 1816.
Unlike in many other states in which Executive Councils are merely advisory, the Executive Council of New Hampshire
has a strong check on the governor's power. The five-member Executive Council has a veto over many actions of the governor. Together, the Governor and Executive Council approve contracts with a value of $5,000 or more, approve pardon
s, and appoint the directors and commissioners, judges, the Attorney General
and officers in the National Guard
.
The governor has the sole power to veto
bills and to command the state National Guard.
was amended to replace "President" with "Governor".
was Governor of New Hampshire prior to becoming President of the United States.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
.
The governor is elected at the biennial state general election in November of even-numbered years. New Hampshire is one of only two states, along with bordering Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
, to hold gubernatorial elections every two years as opposed to every four. Currently, the governor is Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
John Lynch from Hopkinton
Hopkinton, New Hampshire
Hopkinton is a town in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 5,589 at the 2010 census. It consists of three villages: Hopkinton, West Hopkinton, and Contoocook...
, who has served since 2005 and is the state's eightieth governor. In New Hampshire, the governor has no term limit
Term limit
A term limit is a legal restriction that limits the number of terms a person may serve in a particular elected office. When term limits are found in presidential and semi-presidential systems they act as a method to curb the potential for monopoly, where a leader effectively becomes "president for...
of any kind, but no governor had served more than three terms since the 18th century (when the term was for only one year) until John Lynch won an unprecedented fourth two-year term on November 2, 2010. John Taylor Gilman
John Taylor Gilman
John Taylor Gilman was a farmer, shipbuilder, and statesman from Exeter, New Hampshire. He represented New Hampshire in the Continental Congress in 1782-1783 and was Governor of New Hampshire for 14 years, from 1794 to 1805, and from 1813 to 1816.Gilman was born in Exeter, New Hampshire, to a...
was the last governor to serve longer than six years, serving 14 one-year terms as governor between 1794 and 1816.
Unlike in many other states in which Executive Councils are merely advisory, the Executive Council of New Hampshire
Executive Council of New Hampshire
The Executive Council of the State of New Hampshire is the executive body of the U.S. state of New Hampshire. The Executive Council advises the Governor on all matters and provides a check on the governor's power. New Hampshire is one of the few states that has an Executive Council, and is the...
has a strong check on the governor's power. The five-member Executive Council has a veto over many actions of the governor. Together, the Governor and Executive Council approve contracts with a value of $5,000 or more, approve pardon
Pardon
Clemency means the forgiveness of a crime or the cancellation of the penalty associated with it. It is a general concept that encompasses several related procedures: pardoning, commutation, remission and reprieves...
s, and appoint the directors and commissioners, judges, the Attorney General
New Hampshire Attorney General
The New Hampshire Attorney General is a constitutional officer of the U.S. state of New Hampshire who serves as head of the Department of Justice...
and officers in the National Guard
New Hampshire National Guard
The New Hampshire National Guard is a component of the New Hampshire Adjutant General's Department. It consists of the:*New Hampshire Army National Guard*New Hampshire Air National Guard*157th Air Refueling Wing-External links:**...
.
The governor has the sole power to veto
Veto
A veto, Latin for "I forbid", is the power of an officer of the state to unilaterally stop an official action, especially enactment of a piece of legislation...
bills and to command the state National Guard.
History
From 1786 to 1791, "President of the State of New Hampshire" was the official style of the position, until the New Hampshire ConstitutionNew Hampshire Constitution
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....
was amended to replace "President" with "Governor".
Trivia
In the TV show The West Wing the character Josiah BartletJosiah Bartlet
Josiah Edward "Jed" Bartlet is a fictional character played by Martin Sheen on the television serial drama The West Wing. He is President of the United States for the entire series until the last episode, when his successor is inaugurated...
was Governor of New Hampshire prior to becoming President of the United States.