Chapter 8 – Governors and Executives: The Faces of State Government

The Modern Governorship

the most visible political leaders in the states, functioning as both the chief executive and the face of their governments

Most governors

considerable prior political experience, typically in other statewide or legislative offices

Governorships have long been steppingstones to national prominence

17 governors have become U.S. presidents (e.g., Reagan, Clinton, Bush 43, Carter, FDR)

In the television and social-media age

Legal background common; media readiness crucial

Women remain underrepresented

only 49 women governors in U.S. history, three before 1974

Gubernatorial elections

always partisan, always contested, and almost always competitive

Races are

statewide and expensive, often held in midterm years

Incumbency advantage

major benefit

Term limits vary

Texas has no limit; others restrict to two consecutive or lifetime terms

Governors’ powers

derive from constitutional and statutory authority — the formal, institutional foundation of the office

Appointment Power

Ability to choose heads of departments and agencies (often requires senate confirmation).

Texas governor = very weak

in appointment power; most statewide officials are elected and answer directly to voters

Limited removal power

fragmented control

Tenure Potential

Consider length of term and eligibility for re-election

Longer terms and re-eligibility

increase stability and influence

Tenure Potential Texas

4-year terms, no term limit; few serve beyond 8 years

Managerial Powers

Oversight of administration, issuing executive orders, and reorganization authority

Managerial Powers Texas

executive orders are rare and limited; reorganization power minimal

Only 25 states

allow governor-led agency reorganization

Fiscal Power

Governor drafts budget in 48 states but not in Texas, where the Legislative Budget Board (LBB) controls the process

TX governor has line-item veto

on appropriations but no budget-drafting authority

Legislative Power

Includes veto power, agenda-setting, and calling special sessions

Legislative Power Texas

above-average veto strength; two-thirds vote required to override

Governor can call

30-day special sessions and set their agenda (“threat of a special session acts as bargaining power”)

Emergency items

declared in the State of the State speech may receive early legislative consideration

Informal (Personal) Powers

• Getting things done despite institutional limits depends on a governor’s personality, reputation, and political skill

• Rooted in charisma, media use, and public popularity

The public’s desire

“give policy a face” enhances governors’ visibility

Crisis leadership

can greatly increase informal power (e.g., natural disasters, pandemics)

Informal powers works best

when combined with personal credibility and high approval ratings

Roles of the Governor

1. Administrator (28%)

2. Legislator (17%)

3. Ceremonial Leader (14%)

4. Chief Negotiator (14%)

5. Public Opinion Leader (9%)

6. Party Leader (7%)

Administrator (28%)

Oversees state bureaucracy and crafts budget plan

Legislator (17%)

Lobbies legislature, uses veto and special sessions

Ceremonial Leader (14%)

“Head of state” for the state — public events

Chief Negotiator (14%)

Represents state to federal, local, and business leaders

Public Opinion Leader (9%)

Uses media to influence policy and public view

Party Leader (7%)

Controls appointments and patronage within party

Recall

voter-initiated removal (13 states; not TX). Example: Gavin Newsom (2021 CA).

Impeachment

legislative process in 49 states (not OR). Example: Rod Blagojevich (IL, 2009).

Texas has impeached a governor once

James “Pa” Ferguson (1917) over misuse of funds

Lieutenant Governors

powers vary greatly — some are ceremonial, others are among the most powerful offices in state government.”

Second in command

Lieutenant Governors serve if governor vacates office

Some states elect governor and lt. governor jointly

Others elect them separately (TX separate)

Texas Lieutenant Governor

Widely regarded as the most institutionally powerful position in Texas government.

Lieutenant Governor Term & Election

Serves a 4-year term, elected independently from the governor, and may be from a different political party.

Lieutenant Governor Legislative Role

Presides as President of the Senate, appoints committee chairs and members, assigns bills, and co-chairs the Legislative Budget Board (LBB).

Lieutenant Governor Powers

Controls the initial draft of the state budget and sets the legislative agenda.

In Texas, the executive power is divided among many statewide officials

a deliberate design to weaken the governor and increase accountability

Unitary executive

President-style system with centralized authority

Plural executive

Power distributed among separately elected officials

Plural executive intent

limit executive abuse and expand voter control

Plural executive result

Fragmented policy, weaker coordination, and greater interest-group access

Major Elected Offices in Texas

• Lieutenant Governor

• Comptroller of Public Accounts

• Land Commissioner

• Railroad Commission (3 members)

• Agricultural Commissioner

• Attorney General

• Secretary of State

Lieutenant Governor

“Super-legislator”; President of Senate; budget co-chair

Comptroller of Public Accounts

Collects taxes, manages state funds, estimates revenue; budget can’t pass without certification

Land Commissioner

Manages state lands and mineral rights; collects oil & gas royalties for school and university funds

Railroad Commission (3 members)

Regulates oil, gas, pipelines, and energy industries (not railroads since 1980s)

Agricultural Commissioner

Enforces ag laws, food inspection, export promotion, pest control, and consumer protection

Attorney General

Chief civil law officer; issues legal opinions with force of law unless overridden by court or legislature; involved in multi-state litigation

Secretary of State

Appointed by governor and confirmed by Senate; administers elections, maintains records and voter rolls

Plural Executive Prevents

concentration of power but creates “fragmented policy and flourishing bureaucracies.”

Plural Executive Encourages

executive lobbying by interest groups targeting multiple offices

Plural Executive Weakens

overall executive leadership and policy coordination

Plural Executive Demonstrates

the historical legacy of post-Reconstruction weak governorships in Southern states