The governor of New Mexico is the head of government of New Mexico and the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces. The governor has a duty to enforce state laws, the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the New Mexico Legislature, to convene the legislature at any time, and to grant pardons.

Twenty-eight individuals have held the office of governor of New Mexico since the state's admission to the Union in 1912, two of whom—Edwin L. Mechem and Bruce King—served three non-consecutive terms. King holds the record as New Mexico's longest-serving governor, with 12 years of service. William C. McDonald, the first governor, took office on January 15, 1912. The first woman to serve as Governor was Republican Susana Martinez, who served from 2011-2019. The current officeholder is Michelle Lujan Grisham, who took office on January 1, 2019, as the first elected female Democratic governor of the state.

List of governors

On August 18, 1846, American forces led by Stephen W. Kearny captured Santa Fe, capital of the Mexican territory of Santa Fe de Nuevo México. A code of laws known as the Kearny Code was established on September 22, 1846. The region remained under military control until formally annexed by the United States on July 4, 1848. Following Kearny's departure for California on September 26, the chief military officer in the territory was Col. Sterling Price until October 11, 1848; Lt. Col. John M. Washington until October 23, 1849; and Col. John Munroe until the territory was organized.

Kearny appointed Charles Bent as governor before he left for California; Bent would be assassinated during the Taos Revolt on January 19, 1847. Col. Price appointed Donaciano Vigil as acting governor. A statehood convention chose Henry Connelly as governor on June 20, 1850, but this was never recognized by the federal government.

Territory of New Mexico New Mexico Territory was organized on December 13, 1850. It would remain a territory for 62 years.

+ Governors of the Territory of New MexicoGovernorTerm in officeAppointed by1James CalhounJanuary 9, 1851–July 2, 18522William Carr LaneJuly 15, 1852–May 6, 18533David MeriwetherMay 6, 1853–August 17, 18574Abraham RencherAugust 17, 1857–May 24, 18615Henry ConnellyMay 24, 1861–January 15, 18666Robert Byington MitchellJanuary 15, 1866–May 28, 18697William A. PileMay 28, 1869–July 27, 18718Marsh GiddingsJuly 27, 1871–June 3, 18759Samuel Beach AxtellJune 8, 1875–September 4, 187810Lew WallaceSeptember 4, 1878–May 5, 188111Lionel Allen SheldonMay 5, 1881–May 23, 188512Edmund G. RossMay 23, 1885–April 2, 188913L. Bradford PrinceApril 2, 1889–April 7, 189314William Taylor ThorntonApril 7, 1893–April 5, 189715Miguel Antonio OteroJune 2, 1897–January 10, 190616Herbert James HagermanJanuary 10, 1906–May 3, 190717George CurryMay 27, 1907–March 1, 191018William J. MillsMarch 1, 1910–January 14, 1912

State of New Mexico The state of New Mexico was admitted to the Union on January 6, 1912.

The state constitution of 1912 called for the election of a governor and lieutenant governor every four years. The term was changed to two years by a 1914 amendment, and lengthened back to four years in 1970. Governors originally could not succeed themselves; this was changed in 1914 to allow governors to succeed themselves once before having to take a term off. With the lengthening of the term to four years in 1970, this was changed back to prohibiting them from succeeding themselves, but in 1986 it was lengthened back to two terms. A 1962 amendment made it so that the governor and lieutenant governor are elected on a ticket (election).NM Const. art 5, § 1, accessed May 8, 2023 In the event of a vacancy in the office of governor, the lieutenant governor becomes governor.NM Const., art. V, § 7, accessed May 8, 2023

+ Governors of the State of New MexicoGovernorTerm in officePartyElectionLt. Governor1 William C. McDonaldJanuary 15, 1912–January 1, 1917Democratic1911 2Ezequiel Cabeza De BacaJanuary 1, 1917–February 18, 1917Democratic19163Washington Ellsworth LindseyFebruary 18, 1917–January 1, 1919RepublicanVacant4Octaviano Ambrosio LarrazoloJanuary 1, 1919–January 1, 1921Republican19185Merritt C. MechemJanuary 1, 1921–January 1, 1923Republican19206James F. HinkleJanuary 1, 1923–January 1, 1925Democratic1922Vacant7Arthur T. HannettJanuary 1, 1925–January 1, 1927Democratic19248Richard C. DillonJanuary 1, 1927–January 1, 1931Republican19261928Vacant9Arthur SeligmanJanuary 1, 1931–September 25, 1933Democratic1930193210Andrew W. HockenhullSeptember 25, 1933–January 1, 1935DemocraticVacant11Clyde TingleyJanuary 1, 1935–January 1, 1939Democratic1934193612John E. MilesJanuary 1, 1939–January 1, 1943Democratic1938194013John J. DempseyJanuary 1, 1943–January 1, 1947Democratic1942194414Thomas J. MabryJanuary 1, 1947–January 1, 1951Democratic1946194815Edwin L. MechemJanuary 1, 1951–January 1, 1955Republican1950195216John F. SimmsJanuary 1, 1955–January 1, 1957Democratic195417Edwin L. MechemJanuary 1, 1957–January 1, 1959Republican1956Vacant18John BurroughsJanuary 1, 1959–January 1, 1961Democratic195819Edwin L. MechemJanuary 1, 1961–November 30, 1962Republican196020Tom BolackNovember 30, 1962–January 1, 1963RepublicanVacant21Jack M. CampbellJanuary 1, 1963–January 1, 1967Democratic1962196422David CargoJanuary 1, 1967–January 1, 1971Republican1966196823Bruce KingJanuary 1, 1971–January 1, 1975Democratic197024Jerry ApodacaJanuary 1, 1975–January 1, 1979Democratic197425Bruce KingJanuary 1, 1979–January 1, 1983Democratic197826Toney AnayaJanuary 1, 1983–January 1, 1987Democratic198227Garrey CarruthersJanuary 1, 1987–January 1, 1991Republican198628Bruce KingJanuary 1, 1991–January 1, 1995Democratic199029Gary JohnsonJanuary 1, 1995–January 1, 2003Republican1994199830Bill Richardson(January 1, 2003–January 1, 2011Democratic2002200631Susana MartinezJanuary 1, 2011–January 1, 2019Republican2010201432Michelle Lujan GrishamJanuary 1, 2019–IncumbentDemocratic20182022

See also List of New Mexico state legislatures

Notes

References General

Specific

External links

Office of the Governor of New Mexico New Mexico History Museum website