Style The Honorable Formation January 6, 1912 Salary $110,000 (2013) | Residence Governor's Mansion Deputy John Sanchez | |
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Term length Four years, can succeed self once; eligible again after 4-year respite | ||
The Governor of the State of New Mexico is the chief executive of the state of New Mexico. The governor is the head of the executive branch of New Mexico's state government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces. Responsibilities include making annual State of the State addresses to the New Mexico State Legislature, submitting the budget, and ensuring that state laws are enforced. The officeholder is afforded the courtesy title of The Honorable for life.
Contents
- History
- Requirements to hold office
- Terms of office
- Relationship with Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico
- Powers
- Residence
- Line of succession
- List of governors
- References
The current governor is Susana Martinez, a Republican. Martinez won the November 2010 gubernatorial election and was sworn in as the 31st Governor of the state of New Mexico on January 1, 2011. She is also the first elected female governor of the state.
History
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 a Territory, and the governor was appointed by the President of the United States. The office of Governor of the State of New Mexico was created in 1912 when New Mexico was officially admitted to the United States as the 47th state.
Requirements to hold office
Section Three of Article V of the New Mexico Constitution establishes the requirements a person must meet in order to become governor. The governor must be a citizen 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.
Term(s) of office
Under Section One of Article V of the New Mexico Constitution, no person may hold the office of governor for more than two terms until one full term has intervened.
Relationship with Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico
The Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico is elected jointly as the running mate of the gubernatorial candidate in the general election.
Powers
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 the lieutenant governor, the Secretary of State, and the attorney general are also elected to office.
Residence
Since 1954, the Governor of New Mexico has resided in the New Mexico Governor's Mansion. Prior to its construction, the governor's residence was located adjacent to the New Mexico State Capitol in downtown Santa Fe. Before 1909, the governor resided in the Palace of the Governors, which is listed as a National Historic Landmark. The Palace of the Governors is the oldest continuously occupied public building in the United States.
Line of succession
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, the lieutenant governor is the first person in the order of succession and thus serves as governor.
If there is no lieutenant governor, or he is unable to perform the duties of governor, the Secretary of State serves as governor. If there is no Secretary of State, the President pro Tempore of the Senate servers as governor. If there is no President pro Tempore of the Senate, or if he is unable to perform the duties of governor, then the Speaker of the House serves as governor.
List of governors
See: List of Governors of New Mexico