List of governors of New Mexico explained

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.^[1] A code of laws known as the Kearny Code was established on September 22, 1846.^[2] 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.

!scope="colgroup" colspan="2"

Governor	Term in office	Appointing President
1	data-sort-value="Calhoun, James"		James Calhoun	– July 2, 1852
2	data-sort-value="Lane, William"		William Carr Lane	– May 6, 1853
3	data-sort-value="Meriwether, David"		David Meriwether	– August 17, 1857
4	data-sort-value="Rencher, Abraham"		Abraham Rencher	– May 24, 1861
5	data-sort-value="Connelly, Henry"		Henry Connelly	– January 15, 1866
6	data-sort-value="Mitchell, Robert"		Robert Byington Mitchell	– May 28, 1869
7	data-sort-value="Pile, William"		William A. Pile	– July 27, 1871
8	data-sort-value="Giddings, Marsh"		Marsh Giddings	– June 3, 1875
9	data-sort-value="Axtell, Samuel"		Samuel Beach Axtell	– September 4, 1878
10	data-sort-value="Wallace, Lew"		Lew Wallace	– May 5, 1881
11	data-sort-value="Sheldon, Lionel"		Lionel Allen Sheldon	– May 23, 1885
12	data-sort-value="Ross, Edmund"		Edmund G. Ross	– April 2, 1889
13	data-sort-value="Prince, L. Bradford"		L. Bradford Prince	– April 7, 1893
14	data-sort-value="Thornton, William"		William Taylor Thornton	– April 5, 1897
15		Miguel Antonio Otero	– January 10, 1906
16	data-sort-value="Hagerman, Herbert"		Herbert James Hagerman	– May 3, 1907
17	data-sort-value="Curry, George"		George Curry	– February 28, 1910
18	data-sort-value="Mills, William"		William J. Mills	– 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).^[3] In the event of a vacancy in the office of governor, the lieutenant governor becomes governor.^[4]

!scope="colgroup" colspan="3"

Governor	Term in office	Party	Election	Lt. Governor
1	data-sort-value="McDonald, William"			William C. McDonald ^[5]	^[6]  - January 1, 1917	Democratic	1911
2	data-sort-value="De Baca, Ezequiel"			Ezequiel Cabeza De Baca ^[7]	^[8]  - February 18, 1917	Democratic	1916
3	data-sort-value="Lindsey, Washington"			Washington Ellsworth Lindsey ^[9]	^[10]  - January 1, 1919	Republican		Vacant
4	data-sort-value="Larrazolo, Octaviano"			Octaviano Ambrosio Larrazolo ^[11]	^[12]  - January 1, 1921	Republican	1918
5	data-sort-value="Mechem, Merritt"			Merritt C. Mechem ^[13]	^[14]  - January 1, 1923	Republican	1920
6			James F. Hinkle ^[15]	^[16]  - January 1, 1925	Democratic	1922
							Vacant
7	data-sort-value="Hannett, Arthur"			Arthur T. Hannett ^[17]	^[18]  - January 1, 1927	Democratic	1924
8			Richard C. Dillon ^[19]	^[20]  - January 1, 1931	Republican	1926
						1928
							Vacant
9			Arthur Seligman ^[21]	^[22]  - September 25, 1933	Democratic	1930
						1932
10	data-sort-value="Hockenhull, Andrew"			Andrew W. Hockenhull ^[23]	^[24]  - January 1, 1935	Democratic		Vacant
11			Clyde Tingley ^[25]	^[26]  - January 1, 1939	Democratic	1934
						1936
12			John E. Miles ^[27]	- January 1, 1943	Democratic	1938
						1940
13			John J. Dempsey ^[28]	^[29]  - January 1, 1947	Democratic	1942
						1944
14			Thomas J. Mabry ^[30]	^[31]  - January 1, 1951	Democratic	1946
						1948
15			Edwin L. Mechem ^[32]	^[33]  - January 1, 1955	Republican	1950
						1952
16	data-sort-value="Simms, John"			John F. Simms ^[34]	^[35]  - January 1, 1957	Democratic		1954
17			Edwin L. Mechem	^[36]  - January 1, 1959	Republican	1956
							Vacant
18	data-sort-value="Burroughs, John"			John Burroughs ^[37]	^[38]  - January 1, 1961	Democratic	1958
19	data-sort-value="Mechem, Edwin"			Edwin L. Mechem	- November 30, 1962	Republican	1960
20	data-sort-value="Bolack, Tom"			Tom Bolack ^[39]	^[40]  - January 1, 1963	Republican		Vacant
21			Jack M. Campbell ^[41]	^[42]  - January 1, 1967	Democratic	1962
						1964
22			David Cargo ^[43]	^[44]  - January 1, 1971	Republican	1966
						1968
23	data-sort-value="King, Bruce"			Bruce King ^[45]	^[46]  - January 1, 1975	Democratic	1970
24	data-sort-value="Apodaca, Jerry"			Jerry Apodaca ^[47]	^[48]  - January 1, 1979	Democratic	1974
25	data-sort-value="King, Bruce"			Bruce King	^[49]  - January 1, 1983	Democratic	1978
26	data-sort-value="Anaya, Toney"			Toney Anaya ^[50]	^[51]  - January 1, 1987	Democratic	1982
27	data-sort-value="Carruthers, Garrey"			Garrey Carruthers ^[52]	^[53]  - January 1, 1991	Republican	1986
28	data-sort-value="King, Bruce"			Bruce King	^[54]  - January 1, 1995	Democratic	1990
29			Gary Johnson ^[55]	^[56]  - January 1, 2003	Republican	1994
						1998
30			Bill Richardson ( ^[57]	^[58]  - January 1, 2011	Democratic	2002
						2006
31			Susana Martinez ^[59]	^[60]  - January 1, 2019	Republican	2010
						2014
32			Michelle Lujan Grisham ^[61]	^[62]  - Incumbent	Democratic	2018
						2022

See also

• List of New Mexico state legislatures

References

General

• Web site: Former New Mexico Governors . May 5, 2023 . National Governors Association.
• Book: McMullin, Thomas A. . Biographical directory of American territorial governors . 1984 . Westport, CT : Meckler . 978-0-930466-11-4 . January 19, 2023.
• Book: Sobel, Robert . Biographical directory of the governors of the United States, 1789-1978, Vol. III . Meckler Books . 1978 . 9780930466008 . March 25, 2023.
• Book: Kallenbach, Joseph Ernest . American State Governors, 1776-1976 . 1977 . Oceana Publications . 978-0-379-00665-0 . September 23, 2023.
• Book: Glashan, Roy R. . American Governors and Gubernatorial Elections, 1775-1978 . 1979 . Meckler Books . 978-0-930466-17-6.
• Web site: Our Campaigns - Governor of New Mexico - History . 2023-07-25 . www.ourcampaigns.com.

Specific

External links

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

Notes and References

1. Book: Lavash, Donald . A Journey Through New Mexico History . 2006 . 978-0-86534-541-6 . 129 . Sunstone Press . March 16, 2016.
2. Web site: New Mexico – Laws for the Government of the Territory of New Mexico; September 22, 1846 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160401184136/http://avalon.law.yale.edu/19th_century/kearney.asp . April 1, 2016 . March 16, 2016 . The Avalon Project at Yale Law School.
3. https://nmonesource.com/nmos/c/en/item/5916/index.do#!b/aVs1 NM Const. art 5, § 1
4. https://nmonesource.com/nmos/c/en/item/5916/index.do#!b/aVs7 NM Const., art. V, § 7
5. Web site: William Calhoun McDonald . January 2011 . March 29, 2023 . National Governors Association.
6. News: 1912-01-15 . Thousands Cheer As Oath of Office Is Administered in Ancient Capital . 1 . The Evening Herald . 2023-09-29.
7. Web site: Ezequiel Cabeza De Baca . January 2011 . March 29, 2023 . National Governors Association.
8. News: McAllister . R. L. D. . 1917-01-02 . New Governor Is Inaugurated with Simplest of Ceremonies . 1 . Albuquerque Morning Journal . 2023-09-29.
9. Web site: Washington Ellsworth Lindsey . January 2011 . March 29, 2023 . National Governors Association.
10. News: 1917-02-19 . W. E. Lindsey Is Governor; Sworn In Today . 1 . The Santa Fe New Mexican . 2023-09-29.
11. Web site: Octaviano Ambrosio Larrazolo . January 2011 . March 29, 2023 . National Governors Association.
12. News: 1919-01-02 . New Governor of State Delivers Strong Address at Inauguration . 1 . Albuquerque Morning Journal . 2023-09-29.
13. Web site: Merritt Cramer Mechem . January 2011 . March 29, 2023 . National Governors Association.
14. News: Anderson . Clinton P. . 1921-01-02 . Mechem Is Inaugurated Governor . 1 . Albuquerque Journal . 2023-09-29.
15. Web site: James Fielding Hinkle . January 2011 . March 29, 2023 . National Governors Association.
16. News: 1923-01-02 . Hinkle Is Inaugurated As Governor of State Before a Large Crowd . 1 . Albuquerque Journal . 2023-09-29.
17. Web site: Arthur Thomas Hannett . January 2011 . March 29, 2023 . National Governors Association.
18. News: Root . Colbert C. . 1925-01-02 . Hannett Is Sworn Into Office As Governor of State; Pledges Himself to Efficiency, Economy . 1 . Albuquerque Journal . 2023-09-29.
19. Web site: Richard Charles Dillon . January 2011 . March 29, 2023 . National Governors Association.
20. News: 1927-01-02 . New Executive Gives Pledge of Best Work for State's Welfare . 1 . Albuquerque Journal . Associated Press . 2023-09-29.
21. Web site: Arthur Seligman . January 2011 . March 29, 2023 . National Governors Association.
22. News: 1931-01-02 . Seligman Begins Term Amid Best Wishes of People of New Mexico . 1 . Albuquerque Journal . 2023-09-29.
23. Web site: Andrew W. Hockenhull . January 2011 . March 29, 2023 . National Governors Association.
24. News: 1933-09-26 . Executive Stricken After Address; Successor Takes Oath and Assumes Duties . 1 . Albuquerque Journal . 2023-09-29.
25. Web site: Clyde Tingley . January 2011 . March 29, 2023 . National Governors Association.
26. News: 1935-01-02 . Governor Is General in Speech . 1 . Albuquerque Journal . 2023-09-29.
27. Web site: John Esten Miles . January 2011 . March 29, 2023 . National Governors Association.
28. Web site: John Joseph Dempsey . January 2011 . March 29, 2023 . National Governors Association.
29. News: 1943-01-02 . Dempsey Takes Oath, Dedicates State to Victory . 1 . Albuquerque Journal . Associated Press . 2023-09-29.
30. Web site: Thomas Jewett Mabry . January 2011 . March 29, 2023 . National Governors Association.
31. News: 1947-01-02 . New Mexico's 14th Governor Takes His Oath . 1 . Albuquerque Journal . Associated Press . 2023-09-29.
32. Web site: Edwin Leard Mechem . January 2011 . March 29, 2023 . National Governors Association.
33. News: 1951-01-02 . Mechem Takes Office, Warns of World Crisis . 1 . Albuquerque Journal . Associated Press . 2023-09-29.
34. Web site: John Field Simms . January 2011 . March 29, 2023 . National Governors Association.
35. News: Wilbur . Dick . 1955-01-02 . Simms Becomes 16th New Mexico Governor . 1 . Albuquerque Journal . 2023-09-29.
36. News: Wilbur . Dick . 1957-01-02 . Simms Lauds First 3-Time Chief Executive . 1 . Albuquerque Journal . 2023-09-29.
37. Web site: John Burroughs . January 2011 . March 29, 2023 . National Governors Association.
38. News: Mills . Ernie . 1959-01-02 . Gov. Burroughs Takes Office . 1 . Albuquerque Journal . 2023-09-29.
39. Web site: Thomas Felix Bolack . January 2011 . March 29, 2023 . National Governors Association.
40. News: Buckles . Fred . 1962-12-01 . Governor's Post Goes to Bolack . A1 . Albuquerque Journal . 2023-09-29.
41. Web site: Jack M. Campbell . January 2011 . March 29, 2023 . National Governors Association.
42. News: Buckles . Fred . 1963-01-02 . Gov. Campbell Pledges to 'Do My Best' . A1 . Albuquerque Journal . 2023-09-29.
43. Web site: David Francis Cargo . January 2011 . March 29, 2023 . National Governors Association.
44. News: 1967-01-02 . State's Capitol Is Scene Today of Inauguration . A1 . Albuquerque Journal . Associated Press . 2023-09-29.
45. Web site: Bruce King . January 2011 . March 29, 2023 . National Governors Association.
46. News: Scott . Wayne S. . 1971-01-02 . King Becomes State's 21st Governor . A1 . Albuquerque Journal . 2023-09-29.
47. Web site: Jerry Apodaca . January 2011 . March 29, 2023 . National Governors Association.
48. News: Scott . Wayne S. . 1975-01-02 . Apodaca Vows Top Effort . A1 . Albuquerque Journal . 2023-09-29.
49. News: Steinberg . David . 1979-01-02 . King Sworn In, Asks a 'Special Commitment' . A1 . Albuquerque Journal . 2023-09-29.
50. Web site: Toney Anaya . January 2011 . March 29, 2023 . National Governors Association.
51. News: Steinberg . David . 1983-01-02 . Gov. Anaya Asks for 'New Beginning' . A1 . Albuquerque Journal . 2023-09-29.
52. Web site: Garrey E. Carruthers . January 2011 . March 29, 2023 . National Governors Association.
53. News: Staats . David . 1987-01-02 . Carruthers Promises Positive Attitude . A1 . Albuquerque Journal . 2023-09-29.
54. News: Yaeger . John . 1991-01-02 . King Makes Unity Inaugural Theme . A1 . Albuquerque Journal . 2023-09-29.
55. Web site: Gary E. Johnson . January 2011 . March 29, 2023 . National Governors Association.
56. News: Jadrnak . Jackie . 1995-01-02 . New Governor Takes Oath, Offers Thanks . A1 . Albuquerque Journal . 2023-09-29.
57. Web site: Bill Richardson . January 2011 . March 29, 2023 . National Governors Association.
58. News: Lane . Charlotte Balcomb . 2003-01-02 . Richardson Enters Office With a Bang . A1 . Albuquerque Journal . 2023-09-29.
59. Web site: Susana Martinez . January 2011 . March 29, 2023 . National Governors Association.
60. News: Boyd . Dan . 2011-01-02 . Martinez: State To 'Serve No Interest But Yours' . A1 . Albuquerque Journal . 2023-09-29.
61. Web site: Michelle Lujan Grisham . March 29, 2023 . National Governors Association.
62. News: Boyd . Dan . 2019-01-02 . 'We Will Go Big' . A1 . Albuquerque Journal . 2023-09-29.