GOVERNOR OF OKLAHOMA


The 'Governor of the State of Oklahoma' is the head of state for the State of Oklahoma. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the Governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma. The Governor is the ''ex officio'' Commander-in-Chief of the Oklahoma National Guard when not called into Federal use. Despite being an executive branch offiical, the Governor also possesses legislative and judicial powers. The Governor's responsibilities include making yearly "State of the State" addresses to the Oklahoma Legislature, submitting the budget, ensuring that state laws are enforced, and that the peace is preserved.
The office was created in 1907 when Oklahoma was officially admitted to the United States as the 46th state. Prior to statehood in 1907, the office was preceded by a Presidential appointed Governor of Oklahoma Territory with similar powers.
The 26th and current Governor of Oklahoma is Brad Henry. His first term began in 2003 and his second term will end in 2011.

Contents
Creation and History
Office of the Governor
Requirements to hold office
Election
Term(s) of Office
Last election
Next election
Relationship with the Lieutenant Governor
Powers
Executive Powers
Legislative Powers
Judicial Powers
Foreign Relations
Emergency Powers
Preparations
Activation
Residence
Succession
Emergency Interim Successor
Line of Succession
Oath of Office
Gubernatorial Trivia
Age and Longevity
Transition Events
List of Governors
Office-Holders
See also

Creation and History


Before statehood in 1907, modern day Oklahoma was composed of Oklahoma and Indian Territories. While Indian Territory remained under the semi-independence of the Indian nations, Oklahoma Territory was organized territory under the supervision of the United States Congress. Within the Territory, a tripartite government existed, including a Territorial Assembly, a Territorial Supreme Court, and a Territorial Governor.
The executive branch of the territory’s government was headed by the Governor of Oklahoma Territory. The governor was appointed by the President of the United States to serve a four year term. Despite a set term, the governor served at the pleasure of the President. The President could remove the governor from office at any moment.
The Governor was the head of the Government of the Territory. He had the power to veto legislation proposed by the Territorial Legislature and the power to appoint member to his cabinet, who in turn had to be ratified by the Legislature. The Governor had the power to appoint Justices to the Territory’s Supreme Court. The Governor was responsible to the President on addressing issues in the territory and served as the representative as the federal government of the United States. He was also the Commander in Chief of the Territory’s militia.
After the Oklahoma Constitution was written and accepted in 1907, Oklahoma and Indian Territories was joined as the State of Oklahoma. The office of Territorial Governor was replaced by the Governor of Oklahoma. The new office possessed many of the Territorial Governor’s powers and similar responsibilities. However, the Governor was designed with many restrictions, limits, and Legislative and Judicial oversight. This was done under the “weak governor system” to not allow the abuse of power that had occurred under the Territorial government.
After the first governor Charles N. Haskell left office in 1911, the executive branch saw a vast reduction in its powers. Governor Haskell, consider the father of the Oklahoma Constitution, knew the office inside and out. This allowed him to amass a great deal of executive power and influence over every aspect of state government. However, in the twenty years after Haskell, the Legislature drained the governor of his powers and severely weakened the office. It was not until William H. Murray, another of the Constitution’s authors, in 1935 did the Governorship get back its powers.
As Oklahoma grew and the state government expanded, the Governor became gradually more powerful. As more agencies were introduced, the Governor’s appointment power extended to them all, granting him greater indirect influence over the government. Also, initially the Governor was not eligible to immediately succeed himself after being elected. It was not until 1975 did Oklahomans amend the Constitution to allow the Governor to serve two consecutive terms.
In 1986, the Governorship saw its greatest gain in power since the time of Haskell. With the institution of the Executive Branch Reform Act, the Governor was given greater administrative power over all of Oklahoma’s agencies through the Oklahoma State Cabinet. This allowed the Governor’s executive orders to be take effect faster and carry greater force throughout the state.

Office of the Governor


Requirements to hold office

Section Three of Article VI of the Oklahoma 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 31 years old, and have been resident of Oklahoma for at least ten years.
Election

Gubernatorial elections are held every four years. The Governor of Oklahoma is elected directly by the voters of Oklahoma. After all votes are collected, the Legislature of Oklahoma shall convene in the hall of the House of Representatives and the Speaker of the House of Representatives announce the results of the elections in the presence of a majority of each branch of the Legislature.
The persons having the highest number of votes for the office of the Governor shall be declared duly elected. However, in case two or more shall have an equal and the highest number of votes for the office of Governor, the Legislature shall, by joint ballot, choose one of the said persons having an equal and the highest number of votes for the office of Governor.
Term(s) of Office

Under Section Four in Article VI of the Oklahoma Constitution, the Governor serves a four year term in office beginning on the second Monday in January. Also, the same Section provides that no man may hold the office of Governor for more than two second terms consecutively. It makes no reference to limits to total number of term held.
Last election

Oklahoma gubernatorial election 2006 results map. Red denotes counties won by Ernest Istook, Blue denotes those won by Brad Henry.

Next election

Main articles: Oklahoma gubernatorial election, 2010

The next election for Governor of Oklahoma will be held on November 2, 2010. Democratic incumbent Brad Henry will be unable to seek re-election due to term limits placed on him by the Oklahoma Constitution.

Relationship with the Lieutenant Governor


The Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma is elected at the same election as the Governor, but not jointly as the running mate of the gubernatorial candidate. With Lieutenant Governor Jari Askins in office, Oklahoma has a Governor and a Lieutenant governor of the same party for the first time in four years as both Governor Brad Henry and Lieutenant Governor Askins are of the Democratic Party.
The event of having a Governor and Lieutenant of different parties has become more frequent ever since Republicans had made gains in state wide elections. Democratic Lieutenant Governor Leo Winters and Republican Governor Henry Bellmon in 1963 was the first instance of this occurce. Since then this has happened three more times; in 1967 with Republican Governor Dewey F. Bartlett and Democratic Lieutenant Governor George Nigh, in 1987 with Republican Governor Henry Bellmon and Democratic Lieutenant Governor Robert S. Kerr III, and in 2002 with Democratic Governor Brad Henry and Republican Lieutenant Governor Mary Fallin.
When a Governor and Lieutenant Governor are of the same party, the Governor often uses the Lieutenant as the head of board, agceny, or commission. This can been seen when Governor Frank Keating appointed Mary Fallin to serve as his Secretary State Small Business Advocate within his Cabinet. However, when the Governor and Lieutenant are of different parties, the Lieutenant's role in the administration is often minimal.
This unique relationship occasionally comes into play when the Lieutenant Governor is the Acting Governor. When acting as the Governor, the Oklahoma Constitution provides all the powers of the Governor to the Lieutenant Governor. This includes the power of signing or vetoing legislation, making political appointments, calling out the Oklahoma National Guard, or grant pardons. This event may come about due to the Governor’s absences from the State or inability to discharge the powers and duties of the office. The Lieutenant Governor holds the powers of the Governor until the Governor returns to the state or the disability is removed.

Powers


Executive Powers

Governor Brad Henry, as Chief Executive and Commander-in-Chief, with the Adjutant General Harry M. Wyatt III and member of the Oklahoma National Guard.

The Governor, according to the Oklahoma Constitution, must "take care that the laws be faithfully executed." The Governor is vested with "supreme executive power" as the state's "Chief Magistrate" and acts as head of the Executive department of Oklahoma, granting him the ability to issue executive orders which are binding through out the State of Oklahoma. The Governor is the "conservator of the peace throughout the State," making him the chief peace officer in the state. In his position as chief peace officer, the Governor is granted command over all state and local law enforcement agencies. In the event that regular law enforcement is unable to execute the law, the Governor, acting as Commander-in-Chief of Oklahoma’s militia, may call out the Oklahoma National Guard to "execute the laws, protect the public health, suppress insurrection, and repel invasion." The Governor is assisted in managing the military of Oklahoma by the Adjutant General of Oklahoma, whom is appointed by the Governor.
The Governor has the power to commission all officers not otherwise commissioned by the law of Oklahoma and is granted the power of appointment. When any office at the state level becomes vacant for any reason, the Governor, unless otherwise provided by law, has the power to appoint a person to fill such vacancy, who shall continue in office until a successor shall have been elected or appointed according to the law of Oklahoma. This power extends to all federal reprsentatives of Oklahoma, including Representatives and Senators, in which case the Governor calls for special elections to fill the remainder of the term. In the case of Senators, the Governor is empowered to immediately appoint someone to temporarily fill the vacant Senate seat until a special election can be held.
Within the Executive branch of Oklahoma government, the Governor is assisted by the Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma, the Secretary of State of Oklahoma, the Attorney General of Oklahoma, the State Treasurer of Oklahoma, among others. While all the other high level executive offices are elected directly by the people of Oklahoma, the Secretary of State is not. The Secretary of State is appointed by the Governor with the consent of the Senate for a term of four years to run concurrently with the term of the Governor. Due to the large number of State agencies, the Governor is assisted in running the government through the use of the Oklahoma State Cabinet, which the Governor is allowed to organize to best serve him. Through the State Cabinet, the Governor can address the assembled heads of Oklahoma's executive branch departments which oversee all of Oklahoma's agencies. Each department is headed by a Secretary appointed by the Governor and is responsible for carrying out his executive orders throught their department.
The Governor is an ex officio chairman of many state commissions and committees, such as the Oklahoma Commissioners of Land Office, the Oklahoma Board of Education, and the Oklahoma Ethics Commission. While not a member, the Governor has the power to appoint all or some of the members of most of the executive commissions and state commissions with the advice and consent of the Oklahoma Senate, such as the Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma.
The Governor is also responsible for preparing the government budget of Oklahoma for the next fiscal year, although the Legislature must approve it.
Legislative Powers

Like the President of the United States, the Governor plays a major role in the legislative process, even though Legislative power is vested in the Oklahoma Legislature. Every bill which that is passed by both the Oklahoma Senate and Oklahoma House of Representatives, and every resolution requiring the assent of both chambers of the legislature, must, before it becomes a law, be presented to the Governor. The Governor may choose to sign it or veto it and send it back to the legislature. The Governor’s veto can only be overridden by a two-thirds approval vote from each house.
The Governor’s power over appropriation bills is greater than that of normal bills. As with normal bills, it must be presented to the Governor for his approval. If he disapproves of any part of the bill, he may send that part of the bill back to the legislature. However, the part of which he approves becomes law. Thus, the Governor is granted the power of the line-item veto. Any item, or items, so disapproved by the Governor in this manner become void, unless the Legislature re-passes them by a two-thirds vote.
Much of the legislation dealt with by the Legislature is drafted at the initiative of the Governor or his staff. In annual and special messages to the Legislature, the Governor may propose legislation he believes is necessary. The most important of these is the annual State of the State Address. Before a joint session of the Legislature, the Governor outlines the status of the state and his legislative proposals for the upcoming year. Also, beyond the official role as Chief Legislature, the Governor is primarily in a position to influence public opinion and thereby to influence the course of legislation in the Legislature.
The Governor has the power to convoke the legislature, or the Senate only, on extraordinary occasions. At extraordinary sessions, no subject shall be acted upon, except such as the Governor may recommend for consideration. When ever a vacancy occurs within the legislature, the Governor shall issue a writ of election to fill such vacancies. In case of a disagreement between the two houses of the legislature, at a regular or special session, the Governor may adjourn them to such time as he shall deem proper, not beyond the day of the next stated meeting of the legislature. He may convoke the Legislature at or adjourn it to another place, when, in his opinion, the public safety or welfare, or the safety or health of the members require it. However, such a change or adjournment shall be concurred in by a two-thirds vote of all the members of each branch of the legislature.
Judicial Powers

The Governor also plays an active role within the judicial branch of Oklahoma government. Oklahoma has a Judicial Nominating Commission consisting of thirteen members that review all potential Justices and Judges of Oklahoma's appellate courts, such as the Oklahoma Supreme Court, and review them to determine if they qualify to hold their respective positions. Of these thirteen members, the Governor appoints six without the consent of the legislature. All of the Governor's appointments serve for a term of six years each; the terms are staggered so that approximately one-third of the appointments become vacant every two years.
In the event of a vacancy upon the Supreme Court or on the Court of Criminal Appeals, the Judicial Nominating Committee shall choose and submit to the Governor and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court three nominees, each of whom has previously notified the Commission in writing that he will serve as a Justice if appointed. Once three potential Justices or Judges are approved by the Judicial Nominating Committee, the Governor appoints one to serve on the Court. If the Governor fails to do appoint a nominee within sixty days, the Chief Justice of Oklahoma shall appoint one of the nominees. After the Justice's or Judge's first six years in office, they must stand for retainment by the people of Oklahoma for another six year term.
The Governor also possess the power to grant commutations, pardons and paroles for all offenses, except cases of impeachment, upon such conditions and with such restrictions and limitations as he may deem proper, subject to such regulations as may be prescribed by law. However, the Governor shall not have the power to grant paroles if a convict has been sentenced to death or sentenced to life imprisonment without parole. In order to grant a pardon to an individual, he must submit the name of the individual to a Parole and Pardons Board composed of five members, three of which are appointed by the Governor at the beginning of his term in office to serve a term that coincides with his own. After reviewing the applicant for clemency, and a favorable vote from the majority, the Board may empower the Governor to make such acts of clemency as he deems necessary.
The Governor, however, shall have power to grant after conviction, reprieves, or a leave of absence not to exceed sixty days, without the action of the Board. He shall communicate to the Legislature, at each regular session, each case of reprieve, commutation, parole or pardon, granted, stating the name of the convict, the crime of which he was convicted, the date and place of conviction, and the date of commutation, pardon, parole and reprieve
Foreign Relations

Governor Brad Henry, serving as Oklahoma's chief spokesman, visiting soldiers in Kuwait.

The Governor, as Oklahoma’s head of state, serves as the chief representative of Oklahoma to the United States and to the world. All deals between Oklahoma and any foreign power (including other US States and the United States) are negotiated by the Governor. This is reflecting the Governor's position as the spokesman for the state and the state’s interests to other state and world leaders. However, the Governor may not make treaties with other nations, as this is prevented by the United States Constitution.
In discharging his duty as chief spokesman, the Governor may be required to testify before the United States Congress or meet with the President of the United States to address national issues that may affect the state. Also, it is the Governor’s responsibility to promote Oklahoma’s industries to the world economy as the spokesman for industrial development within the state. Along with those responsibilities comes the role of chief promoter of Oklahoma’s goods and services to foreign consumers.
The Governor also plays a significant role in national politics. As the representative of Oklahoma, the Governor heads, on a state level, the political party that he may belong to. In this position, the Governor serves as the state’s leader in selecting a party candidate to run for the office of President. Additionally, as Oklahoma’s Head of State, the Governor is Oklahoma to rest of the world. The Governor may travel through the country to promote Oklahoma in a general interest or travel abroad to serve as proponent of America’s interests.
Emergency Powers

In the event that a natural or man-made emergency occurs or is anticipated in the immediate future, the Governor’s gains several emergency powers to better respond to the emergency and combat the threat. Either the Governor through executive order or the Oklahoma Legislature through concurrent resolution may declare a state of emergency. Once declared, the Governor may exercise his additional emergency powers. To assist the Governor in fulfilling his emergency power, the Governor may establish such offices, boards, agencies, or positions as he may deem necessary to carry his orders into effect.
When carrying out the functions of his emergency powers, the Governor is immune from civilly liable for any loss or injury resulting from any decision, determination, order or action in the performance of his assigned duties and responsibilities during a stated emergency. However, this immunity does not apply when such loss or injury is caused by the gross negligence, or willfully and unnecessarily act by the Governor.
The Governor, through executive order, or the Legislature, through concurrent resolution, may declare an end to the state of emergency and suspend the the Governor's emergency powers.
Preparations

In non-emergency situations, the Governor is responsible for preparing and annually updating a comprehensive plan and program for emergency management of the state to be known as the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). The EOP serves as a guide for the Governor to following in protecting the state and its citizens during any emergency. The EOP is required to be integrated into and coordinated with the plans of the federal government and of other states to the fullest possible extent, and to coordinate the preparation of plans and programs for emergency management by the political subdivisions of the state.
To prepare for all potential emergencies, the Governor may procure supplies and equipment in accordance with the EOP. These supplies may be used to institute emergency management training and public information programs. In taking preparatory steps, the Governor may active any or all parts of the emergency management organization in advance to ensure adequate training and equipment to respond in times of need.
In addition to the prevention measures established by the state and local emergency management plans, the Governor shall consider on a continuing basis steps that could be taken to mitigate the harmful consequences of emergencies to the state. At the Governor's direction, state agencies charged with responsibilities involved in emergency management shall make studies of matters related to potential responses for limiting the effects of emergencies. The Governor, from time to time, shall make such recommendations to the Legislature, to political subdivisions and to other appropriate public and private entities as may facilitate measures to prevent or lessen the effects of emergencies.
Activation

Upon activating the EOP, the Governor assumes direct regulatory control over all essential resources of the state. It will then be the responsibility of the Governor to determine the priorities of such resources and allocate them as the Governor may deem necessary. These resources include, but are not limited to, food, manpower, health and health manpower, water, transportation, economic stabilization, electric power, petroleum, gas, and solid fuel, industrial production, construction and housing.
In order to ensuring security, the Governor gains vast police power. To enforce all laws, rules and regulations relating to emergency management, the Governor assumes direct operational control of any or all emergency management forces of the state, including the Oklahoma National Guard, state police agencies, as well as county sheriff's and local police departments. These emergency police powers extend to providing for the evacuation of all or part of the state’s population from any affected or threatened area or areas within the state, regulating the conduct of civilians and the movement of pedestrians and vehicular traffic, and regulating public meetings and gatherings. The Governor is responsible for providing for the care of all those regulated by his orders or forced to evacuate.
During a state of emergency, the Governor is authroized to utilize the services, equipment, supplies and facilities of all departments, offices and agencies of the state to the maximum extent practicable. All state, county, and local officers and personnel must cooperate with the Governor in emergency management upon his direction. Willful failure to obey any order, rule or regulation issued by the Governor in this manner may be removed from office by the Governor after the officer has had the charges serviced to them and an opportunity to defend themselves. Pending the presentation of charges, the Governor may suspend such officers for a period not to exceed thirty days. Any vacancy resulting from removal or suspension shall be filled by the Governor until it is filled as provided by state law.
In managing the emergency, the Governor is fully authorized to cooperate with the federal government, with other states, and with private agencies in all matters pertaining to the emergency management of the state and of the nation.

Residence


Since 1928, the Governor of Oklahoma has resided in the 'Oklahoma Governor's Mansion'. Before its construction, Governors lived in various locations around Guthrie and Oklahoma City. Governor Charles N. Haskell set up his administration's office and has official residence within a hotel in Oklahoma City. The Legislature provided for the construction of an official residence after years of debat in 1927. The next year, in 1928, the Mansion was completed.
Built by an Oklahoma City architectural firm, Layton, Hicks and Forsyth, the Mansion is of Dutch-Colonial style. Carthage limestone was used so the exterior of the Mansion would complement the Oklahoma State Capitol, which is located to the west of the Mansion. The legislature allocated $100,000 of state money ($75,000 for construction and $25,000 for furnishing) to the project. Two years later, another $39,000 was set aside to complete outbuildings and landscaping. Though originally having 19 rooms, today the 14,000 square-foot Mansion has 12, including a library, parlor, dining room, grand ballroom, kitchen, sunroom and five bedrooms.
The Mansion also servers as an active museum. Throughout the Mansion, antiques and artwork from both museum and private collections can be found. The Mansion's museum is designed to provide a glimpse into the Oklahoma's history and culture. Artists represented in oil and bronze include N.C. Wyeth, Charles Marion Russell, Thomas Moran and Albert Beirstadt.

Succession


In case of impeachment of the Governor, or of his death, failure to qualify, resignation, removal from the State, or inability to discharge the powers and duties of the office, the said office, with its compensation, shall devolve upon the Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma for the residue of the term or until the disability shall be removed.
If, during a vacancy of the office of Governor, the Lieutenant Governor shall be impeached, displaced, resign, die or be absent from the State, or become incapable of performing the duties of the office, the President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate, shall act as Governor until the vacancy be filled or the disability shall cease; and if the President, Pro Tempore, of the Senate, for any of the above enumerated causes, shall become incapable of performing the duties pertaining to the office of Governor, the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives shall act as Governor until the vacancy be filled or the disability shall cease.
Emergency Interim Successor

If, for any reason, the Governor is unable to exercise his powers and discharge the duties of his office and the Lieutenant Governor, President pro tempore of the Senate, and Speaker of the House are unable to act as Governor, then the next official in the line of succession becomes the 'emergency interim successor'. As the emergency interim successor to the Governor, the officer may exercise the powers and discharge the duties of the Governor until a new Governor is elected or until the disability is removed from the Governor or higher official. In no event, however, shall the emergency interim successor serve as Governor.
The authority of an emergency interim successor to the Governor may only act after a man-made or natural emergency or disaster has occured in the United States. The Oklahoma Legislature, by concurrent resolution, may, at any time, terminate the authority of any emergency interim successor to exercise the powers and discharge the duties of the Governor.
Line of Succession

# Office Current Officer
'May succeed to Governorship'
1Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma and President of the SenateJari Askins
2President of the Senate ''pro tempore'' Mike Morgan
3Speaker of the House of RepresentativesLance Cargill
'May serve as Emergency Interim Successor'
4State Auditor and InspectorJeff McMahan
5Attorney GeneralDrew Edmondson
6State TreasurerScott Meacham
7State School SuperintendantSandy Garrett
8Labor CommissionerLloyd Fields
9Insurance CommissionerKim Holland
10Corporation CommissionerBob Anthony
11Corporation CommissionerJeff Cloud
12Corporation CommissionerJim Roth

Oath of Office


"I, ........., do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support, obey, and defend the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of Oklahoma, and that I will not, knowingly, receive, directly or indirectly, any money or other valuable thing, for the performance or nonperformance of any act or duty pertaining to my office, other than the compensation allowed by law; I further swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully discharge my duties as Governor of the State of Oklahoma to the best of my ability."

Gubernatorial Trivia


Age and Longevity


★ Between the births of Charles N. Haskell in 1860 and Brad Henry in 1963, future governors have been born in every decade

★ Between the deaths of Lee Cruce in 1933 and Raymond D. Gary in 1993, former governors have died in every decade except in the 1980s

★ The first governor born was Charles N. Haskell in 1860

★ The most recent governor born is Brad Henry in 1963

★ The shortest term in office was nine days by George Nigh in 1963 (January 6January 14, 1963)

★ Sworn in at age 34, J. Howard Edmondson was the youngest governor

★ Sworn in at age 62, William H. Murray was the oldest governor

★ The oldest living former governor is Henry Bellmon at age 84

★ The youngest living former governor is David Walters at age 55

Henry S. Johnston has the longest live-span of any governor, 98 years

★ J. Howard Edmondson has the shortest live-span of any governor, 46 years

★ No governor has ever died in office

★ Three governor have been impeached, two were removed from office


Lee Cruce in 1912, found not guilty of charges


John C. Walton in 1923, removed from office


Henry S. Johnston in 1929, removed from office

★ Born in 1908, Johnston Murray was the first governor born after state hood in 1907

E. W. Marland has the shortest post-governorship, 2 years

William J. Holloway has the longest post-governorship, 39 years

★ Of Oklahoma’s 24 governors, three have been Republicans and twenty one have been Democrats

★ No woman has ever served as governor

★ There are currently six living former governors


George Nigh


Henry Bellmon


David Hall


David L. Boren


David Walters


Frank Keating
Transition Events


★ Two Lieutenant Governor have been elevated to the governorship


Martin E. Trapp in 1923


William J. Holloway in 1929

★ Only four governors have served more than one term


George Nigh


Henry Bellmon


Frank Keating


Brad Henry

★ Only three governors have ever served two consecutive terms


George Nigh from 1979 to 1987


Frank Keating from 1995 to 2003


Brad Henry from 2003 to present (with second term starting in 2007)

★ Two governors have resigned


J. Howard Edmondson in 1963 to become a United States Senator


David L. Boren in 1979 to become a United States Senator

List of Governors


NamePartyTook officeLeft officeNotes
Charles N. HaskellDemocraticNovember 16 1907January 9 1911
Lee CruceDemocraticJanuary 9 1911January 11 1915
R. L. WilliamsDemocraticJanuary 11 1915January 13 1919
James B. A. RobertsonDemocraticJanuary 13 1919January 8 1923
John C. WaltonDemocraticJanuary 8 1923November 19 1923
Martin E. TrappDemocraticNovember 19 1923January 10 1927
Henry S. JohnstonDemocraticJanuary 10 1927March 20 1929
William J. HollowayDemocraticMarch 20 1929January 1 1931
William H. MurrayDemocraticJanuary 1 1931January 14 1935
Ernest W. MarlandDemocraticJanuary 14 1935January 9 1939
Leon C. PhillipsDemocraticJanuary 9 1939January 11 1943
Robert S. KerrDemocraticJanuary 11 1943January 13 1947
Roy J. TurnerDemocraticJanuary 13 1947January 8 1951
Johnston MurrayDemocraticJanuary 8 1951January 10 1955
Raymond D. GaryDemocraticJanuary 10 1955January 12 1959
J. Howard EdmondsonDemocraticJanuary 12 1959January 6 1963
George NighDemocraticJanuary 6 1963January 14 1963
Henry BellmonRepublicanJanuary 14 1963January 9 1967
Dewey F. BartlettRepublicanJanuary 9 1967January 11 1971
David HallDemocraticJanuary 11 1971January 13 1975
David L. BorenDemocraticJanuary 13 1975January 3 1979
George NighDemocraticJanuary 3 1979January 12 1987
Henry BellmonRepublicanJanuary 12 1987January 14 1991
David WaltersDemocraticJanuary 14 1991January 9 1995
Frank KeatingRepublicanJanuary 9 1995January 13 2003
Brad HenryDemocraticJanuary 13 2003''Incumbent''

Office-Holders




Note that George Nigh became Governor twice: (1) when James Edmondson resigned and (2) when he won election in 1978. Also, Henry Bellmon was elected twice nonconsecutively. These two events throw off the numbers of all governors after them, starting with Bellmon and again David Walters. Thus, Brad Henry is the 26th governor although he is the 24th person to hold the office.

See also



List of Governors of Oklahoma

Governors of Oklahoma Territory

Official Governor of Oklahoma home page

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