List of Governors of Texas
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In politics, Governor of Texas is the title given to the chief executive of the state of Texas.
Contents |
Governors of Texas
Acting Governors of Texas
In Texas, a 50-year tradition called “Governor For A Day” makes the President pro tempore of the Texas Senate the acting governor for a day. During that time, the governor and lieutenant governor both leave the state, leaving the President Pro Tem serving in the governor's office for a day.
- Barbara Jordan, 1972
- John Whitmire, 1993
- Gonzalo Barrientos, 1995
- Kenneth L. Armbrister, 1995
- Judith Zaffirini, 1997, First female governor of Hispanic decent
- Rodney Ellis, 1999, Ellis served as acting governor of Texas for 31 days during Governor George W. Bush's campaign for U.S. President
- Rodney Ellis, April 8 2000, “Governor For A Day”
- Chris Harris, 5 May 2001
- Edward Lucio, Jr., April 26 2003
- Jane Nelson, April 3 2004
- Jeff Wentworth, November 20 2005
- Florence Shapiro, April 9 2005
- Frank L. Madla, 2005
Gubernatorial Power
As is the trend in many Southern states, the Governor's power is quite limited. With the exception of the Secretary of State, the remaining members of the Governor's cabinet are also elected by popular vote. In addition, the Lieutenant Governor runs on a separate ticket, thus the Governor and Lieutenant Governor can (and have been) from different political parties.
Another limitation on gubernatorial power involves the commutation of prisoner sentences, an issue which arises whenever a death penalty sentence is to be carried out. The Governor can only overturn a death sentence upon the positive recommendation of the Texas Board of Pardon and Parole. The only other option the Governor has is to issue one, 30-day stay of execution.
The Governor does have one key power that the Texas Legislature does not have--the Governor can call the Legislature into special session for 30 days, as many times as s/he desires (the Legislature cannot call itself into session).
See also
- Texas
- Governor
- State Government
- U.S. Politics
- Government of the United States
- Category:Governors of Texas
- List of Texas county name etymologies
External links
- Legislative Reference Library of Texas -- Governors of Texas
- Template:Handbookoftexas
- The Handbook of Texas Online: Texas History Quiz -- Presidents and Governors of Texas
Template:Lists of US Governorsde:Liste der Gouverneure von Texas fr:Liste des gouverneurs du Texas sl:Seznam guvernerjev Teksasa