List of Governors of California - wikipedia List of Governors of California Jerry Brown, 34th and the current 39th Governor of California The Governor of California is the chief executive of the California state government, whose responsibilities include making annual State of the State addresses to the California State Legislature, submitting the budget, and ensuring that state laws are enforced. The governor is also the commander - in - chief of the state 's military forces. There have been 38 governors ; many have been influential nationwide in areas far - flung from politics. Leland Stanford founded Stanford University in 1891. Earl Warren, later Chief Justice of the United States, won an election with the nominations of the three major parties -- the only person ever to run essentially unopposed for governor of California. Ronald Reagan, who was president of the Screen Actors Guild and later President of the United States, and Arnold Schwarzenegger both came to prominence through acting. Gray Davis, the 37th governor of California, was the second governor in American history to be recalled by voters. The shortest tenure was that of Milton Latham, who served only five days before being elected by the legislature to fill a vacant United States Senate seat. The longest tenure is that of the current governor, Edmund Gerald `` Jerry '' Brown, Jr., who previously served as governor from 1975 to 1983 and has been serving again since 2011. He is the son of former governor Edmund Gerald `` Pat '' Brown, Sr. who served from 1959 to 1967. Contents 1 Governors 2 Living former governors of California 3 See also 4 Notes 5 References 6 External links Governors For the governors prior to statehood, see the List of Governors of California before admission. California was obtained by the United States in the Mexican Cession following the Mexican -- American War. Unlike most other states, it was never organized as a territory, and was admitted as the 31st state on September 9, 1850. The original California Constitution of 1849 called for elections every two years, with no set start date for the term. An amendment ratified in 1862 increased the term to four years, and the 1879 constitution set the term to begin on the first Monday in January following an election. In 1990, Proposition 140 led to a constitutional amendment implementing a term limit of two terms ; prior to this limit, only one governor, Earl Warren, served more than two terms. Jerry Brown was able to be elected to a third term in 2010 because his previous terms were before the term limit was enacted. The 1849 constitution also created the office of lieutenant governor, who, in cases of vacancy in the office of governor, becomes governor. The governor and lieutenant governor are not elected on the same ticket. Governors of the State of California No. Portrait Governor Term in office Party Election Previous office Lt. Governor Peter Hardeman Burnett ( 1807 - 11 - 15 ) November 15, 1807 -- ( 1895 - 05 - 17 ) May 17, 1895 ( Aged 87 ) December 20, 1849 -- January 9, 1851 Democratic 1849 5th Supreme Judge of the Provisional Oregon Supreme Court ( 1845 -- 1846 ) John McDougal John McDougal ca. 1818 -- March 30, 1866 ( Aged 48 ) January 9, 1851 -- January 8, 1852 Democratic 1st Lieutenant Governor of California ( 1849 -- 1851 ) David C. Broderick ( acting ) John Bigler January 8, 1805 -- November 29, 1871 ( Aged 66 ) January 8, 1852 -- January 9, 1856 Democratic 1851 2nd Speaker of the California Assembly ( 1850 -- 1851 ) Samuel Purdy 1853 J. Neely Johnson August 2, 1825 -- August 31, 1872 ( Aged 47 ) January 9, 1856 -- January 8, 1858 American 1855 California State Assemblyman ( 1852 -- 1856 ) Robert M. Anderson 5 John B. Weller February 22, 1812 -- August 17, 1875 ( Aged 63 ) January 8, 1858 -- January 9, 1860 Democratic 1857 U.S. Senator from California ( 1852 -- 1857 ) John Walkup 6 Milton Latham May 23, 1827 -- March 4, 1882 ( Aged 54 ) January 9, 1860 -- January 14, 1860 Democratic 1859 U.S. Representative for California 's At - large ( 1853 -- 1855 ) John G. Downey 7 John G. Downey June 24, 1827 -- March 1, 1894 ( Aged 66 ) January 14, 1860 -- January 10, 1862 Democratic 6th Lieutenant Governor of California ( 1860 ) Isaac N. Quinn ( acting ) ( resigned January 7, 1861 ) Pablo de la Guerra ( acting ) 8 Leland Stanford March 9, 1824 -- June 21, 1893 ( Aged 69 ) January 10, 1862 -- December 10, 1863 Republican 1861 1st President of Central Pacific Railroad ( 1861 -- 1893 ) John F. Chellis 9 Frederick Low June 30, 1828 -- July 21, 1894 ( Aged 66 ) December 10, 1863 -- December 5, 1867 Republican 1863 U.S. Representative for California 's At - large ( 1862 -- 1863 ) Tim N. Machin 10 Henry Huntly Haight May 20, 1825 -- September 2, 1878 ( Aged 53 ) December 5, 1867 -- December 8, 1871 Democratic 1867 None William Holden 11 Newton Booth December 30, 1825 -- July 14, 1892 ( Aged 66 ) December 8, 1871 -- February 27, 1875 Republican 1871 California State Senator ( 1863 ) Romualdo Pacheco 12 Romualdo Pacheco October 31, 1831 -- January 23, 1899 ( Aged 67 ) February 27, 1875 -- December 9, 1875 Republican 9th Lieutenant Governor of California ( 1871 -- 1875 ) William Irwin ( acting ) 13 William Irwin ca. 1827 -- March 15, 1886 ( Aged 58 -- 59 ) December 9, 1875 -- January 8, 1880 Democratic 1875 Acting Lieutenant Governor of California ( 1875 ) James A. Johnson 14 George Clement Perkins August 23, 1839 -- February 26, 1923 ( Aged 83 ) January 8, 1880 -- January 10, 1883 Republican 1879 California State Senator ( 1869 -- 1876 ) John Mansfield 15 George Stoneman August 8, 1822 -- September 5, 1894 ( Aged 72 ) January 10, 1883 -- January 8, 1887 Democratic 1882 Major General of the Union Army ( since 1861 ) John Daggett 16 Washington Bartlett February 29, 1824 -- September 12, 1887 ( Aged 63 ) January 8, 1887 -- September 12, 1887 Democratic 1886 20th Mayor of San Francisco ( 1883 -- 1887 ) Robert Waterman 17 Robert Waterman December 15, 1826 -- April 12, 1891 ( Aged 64 ) September 12, 1887 -- January 8, 1891 Republican 17th Lieutenant Governor of California ( 1887 ) Stephen M. White ( acting ) 18 Henry Markham November 16, 1840 -- October 9, 1923 ( Aged 82 ) January 8, 1891 -- January 11, 1895 Republican 1890 U.S. Representative for California 's 1st ( 1885 -- 1887 ) John B. Reddick 19 James Budd May 18, 1851 -- July 30, 1908 ( Aged 57 ) January 11, 1895 -- January 4, 1899 Democratic 1894 U.S. Representative for California 's 2nd ( 1883 -- 1885 ) Spencer G. Millard ( died October 24, 1895 ) William T. Jeter 20 Henry Gage December 25, 1852 -- August 28, 1924 ( Aged 71 ) January 4, 1899 -- January 7, 1903 Republican 1898 Federal prosecutor ( since 1891 ) Jacob H. Neff 21 George Pardee July 25, 1857 -- September 1, 1941 ( Aged 84 ) January 7, 1903 -- January 9, 1907 Republican 1902 29th Mayor of Oakland ( 1893 -- 1895 ) Alden Anderson 22 James Gillett September 20, 1860 -- April 20, 1937 ( Aged 76 ) January 9, 1907 -- January 3, 1911 Republican 1906 U.S. Representative for California 's 1st ( 1903 -- 1906 ) Warren R. Porter 23 Hiram Johnson September 2, 1866 -- August 6, 1945 ( Aged 78 ) January 3, 1911 -- March 15, 1917 Republican 1910 Assistant District attorney of California ( 1902 -- 1910 ) Albert Joseph Wallace Progressive 1914 John M. Eshleman ( died February 28, 1916 ) Vacant William Stephens ( took office July 22, 1916 ) 24 William Stephens December 26, 1859 -- April 25, 1944 ( Aged 84 ) March 15, 1917 -- January 8, 1923 Republican 27th Lieutenant Governor of California ( 1916 -- 1917 ) Vacant 1918 C.C. Young 25 Friend Richardson December 1, 1865 -- September 6, 1943 ( Aged 77 ) January 9, 1923 -- January 4, 1927 Republican 1922 21st California State Treasurer ( 1915 -- 1923 ) 26 C.C. Young April 28, 1869 -- December 24, 1947 ( Aged 78 ) January 4, 1927 -- January 6, 1931 Republican 1926 29th Lieutenant Governor of California ( 1919 -- 1927 ) Buron Fitts ( resigned November 30, 1928 ) Vacant H.L. Carnahan ( appointed December 4, 1928 ) 27 James Rolph August 23, 1869 -- June 2, 1934 ( Aged 64 ) January 6, 1931 -- June 2, 1934 Republican 1930 30th Mayor of San Francisco ( 1912 -- 1931 ) Frank Merriam 28 Frank Merriam December 22, 1865 -- April 25, 1955 ( Aged 89 ) June 2, 1934 -- January 2, 1939 Republican 31st Lieutenant Governor of California ( 1931 -- 1934 ) Vacant 1934 George J. Hatfield 29 Culbert Olson November 7, 1876 -- April 13, 1962 ( Aged 85 ) January 2, 1939 -- January 4, 1943 Democratic 1938 California State Senator ( 1934 -- 1938 ) Ellis E. Patterson 30 Earl Warren March 19, 1891 -- July 9, 1974 ( Aged 83 ) January 4, 1943 -- October 5, 1953 Republican 1942 20th Attorney General of California ( 1939 -- 1943 ) Frederick F. Houser 1946 Goodwin Knight 1950 31 Goodwin Knight December 9, 1896 -- May 22, 1970 ( Aged 73 ) October 5, 1953 -- January 5, 1959 Republican 35th Lieutenant Governor of California ( 1947 -- 1953 ) Harold J. Powers 1954 32 Pat Brown April 21, 1905 -- February 16, 1996 ( Aged 90 ) January 5, 1959 -- January 2, 1967 Democratic 1958 23rd Attorney General of California ( 1951 -- 1959 ) Glenn M. Anderson 1962 33 Ronald Reagan February 6, 1911 -- June 5, 2004 ( Aged 93 ) January 2, 1967 -- January 6, 1975 Republican 1966 9th and 13th President of the Screen Actors Guild ( 1947 -- 1952 ; 1959 -- 1960 ) Robert Finch ( resigned January 8, 1969 ) Edwin Reinecke ( resigned October 2, 1974 ) 1970 John L. Harmer 34 Jerry Brown ( 1938 - 04 - 07 ) April 7, 1938 ( age 80 ) January 6, 1975 -- January 3, 1983 Democratic 24th Secretary of State of California ( 1971 -- 1975 ) Mervyn M. Dymally 1978 Michael Curb 35 George Deukmejian June 6, 1928 -- May 8, 2018 ( Aged 89 ) January 3, 1983 -- January 7, 1991 Republican 1982 27th Attorney General of California ( 1979 -- 1983 ) Leo T. McCarthy 1986 36 Pete Wilson ( 1933 - 08 - 23 ) August 23, 1933 ( age 84 ) January 7, 1991 -- January 4, 1999 Republican U.S. Senator from California ( 1983 -- 1991 ) Gray Davis 37 Gray Davis ( 1942 - 12 - 26 ) December 26, 1942 ( age 75 ) January 4, 1999 -- November 17, 2003 Democratic 1998 44th Lieutenant Governor of California ( 1995 -- 1999 ) Cruz Bustamante 2002 38 Arnold Schwarzenegger ( 1947 - 07 - 30 ) July 30, 1947 ( age 70 ) November 17, 2003 -- January 3, 2011 Republican Chair of the President 's Council on Fitness and Sports ( 1990 -- 1993 ) 2006 John Garamendi ( resigned November 3, 2009 ) Mona Pasquil ( Acting ) Abel Maldonado ( appointed April 27, 2010 ) 39 Jerry Brown ( 1938 - 04 - 07 ) April 7, 1938 ( age 80 ) January 3, 2011 -- Present Democratic 31st Attorney General of California ( 2007 -- 2011 ) 34th Governor of California ( 1975 -- 1983 ) Gavin Newsom ( took office January 10, 2011 ) 2014 Living former Governors of California There are three living former governors, the oldest being Pete Wilson, born 1933. The most recent death of a former governor was that of George Deukmejian ( served 1983 -- 1991, born June 6, 1928 ) on May 8, 2018. Jerry Brown, who served as governor from 1975 to 1983, is currently serving and thus is not included on this list. Governor Years in office Date of birth ( and age ) Pete Wilson 1991 -- 1999 ( 1933 - 08 - 23 ) August 23, 1933 ( age 84 ) Gray Davis 1999 -- 2003 ( 1942 - 12 - 26 ) December 26, 1942 ( age 75 ) Arnold Schwarzenegger 2003 -- 2011 ( 1947 - 07 - 30 ) July 30, 1947 ( age 70 ) See also California portal List of Governors of California before admission List of Governors of California by age Spouses of the Governor of California Notes Jump up ^ Lieutenant governors represented the same party as their governor unless noted. Jump up ^ A civilian government was formed in late 1849 prior to official statehood, and operated as the state government for ten months before official statehood was granted. Jump up ^ Burnett resigned, citing personal reasons ; he was reportedly unhappy with the legislature, and wanted more time to manage his business. As lieutenant governor, McDougall succeeded him. Jump up ^ Latham resigned to take an elected seat in the United States Senate ; as lieutenant governor, Downey succeeded him. Jump up ^ Terms were lengthened from two to four years beginning with this term. Jump up ^ Booth resigned to take an elected seat in the United States Senate ; as lieutenant governor, Pacheco succeeded him. Jump up ^ Bartlett died in office ; as lieutenant governor, Waterman succeeded him. ^ Jump up to : Represented the Democratic Party ( United States ). ^ Jump up to : Represented the Republican Party ( United States ). Jump up ^ Johnson resigned to take an elected seat in the United States Senate ; as lieutenant governor, Stephens succeeded him. Jump up ^ Rolph died in office ; as lieutenant governor, Merriam succeeded him. Jump up ^ Warren ran as a Republican for his first and third terms. For his second term, he won the nomination of the Republican, Democratic, and Progressive parties. Jump up ^ Warren resigned to become Chief Justice of the United States ; as lieutenant governor, Knight succeeded him. Jump up ^ Davis was recalled and Schwarzenegger chosen to replace him in a special recall election. ^ Jump up to : Newsom delayed his swearing in as lieutenant governor until January 10, 2011, to remain mayor of San Francisco ; Maldonado stayed on as lieutenant governor until then. Jump up ^ Governor Brown 's fourth term expires on January 7, 2019 ; he will be term limited. References General `` Governors of California ''. California State Library. Official Site of the State of California. Archived from the original on December 20, 2008. Retrieved July 18, 2007. `` California : Past Governors Bios ''. National Governors Association. Retrieved September 6, 2015. `` Chronology of California 's Lieutenant Governors ''. Office of the Lieutenant Governor. Retrieved August 10, 2007. JoinCalifornia.com - Dates of birth and death for Governors Constitutions `` Constitution of the State of California ''. Legislative Counsel of California. 1879. Retrieved July 20, 2008. `` Constitution of the State of California ''. California Secretary of State. 1849. Archived from the original on January 28, 2010. Retrieved February 27, 2010. Specific Jump up ^ Henning, W.F. ( 1899 ). Constitution of the State of California. C.W. Palm Company. Retrieved January 18, 2008. Jump up ^ `` California Ballot Propositions 1990 - 1999 ''. Los Angeles County Law Library. Archived from the original on October 7, 2010. Retrieved August 2, 2010. Jump up ^ CA Const. art. V, § 2 Jump up ^ CA Const. art. V, § 10 Jump up ^ `` Peter Hardeman Burnett ''. National Governors Association. Retrieved September 6, 2015. Jump up ^ Durham, Walter T. ( 1997 ). Volunteer Forty - niners : Tennesseans and the California Gold Rush. Vanderbilt University Press. p. 193. ISBN 0 - 8265 - 1298 - 4. Retrieved August 4, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Statewide Special Election ''. California Secretary of State. Archived from the original on October 12, 2008. Retrieved October 15, 2008. Jump up ^ Upton Oot, John ( January 7, 2011 ). `` Newsom 's Dual Role Raises Legal Quandary ''. The Bay Citizen. Archived from the original on April 19, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2015. External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Governors of California. Office of the Governor of California Governors of California Colony ( 1769 -- 1822 ) Capt. Portolà Col. Fages Capt. Rivera Capt - Gen. de Neve Col. Fages Capt. Roméu Capt. Arrillaga Col. Bórica Lt. Col. Alberní Capt. Arrillaga Capt. J. Argüello Don Solá Territory ( 1822 -- 1836 ) Capt. L. Argüello Lt. Col. Echeandía Gen. Victoria Don P. Pico Lt. Col. Echeandía Brig. Gen. Figueroa Lt. Col. Castro Lt. Col. Gutiérrez Col. Chico Lt. Col. Gutiérrez Sovereignty ( 1836 -- 1846 ) Pres. Castro Pres. Alvarado Uncle Carrillo ( rival ) Brig. Gen. Micheltorena Don P. Pico Republic ( 1846 -- 1850 ) Cdre. Sloat Cdre. Stockton Gen. Flores ( rival ) Gen. Kearny Maj. Frémont ( mutineer ) Gen. Mason Gen. Smith Gen. Riley Burnett U.S. state ( since 1850 ) Burnett McDougal Bigler J. Johnson Weller Latham Downey Stanford Low Haight Booth Pacheco Irwin Perkins Stoneman Bartlett Waterman Markham Budd Gage Pardee Gillett H. Johnson Stephens Richardson Young Rolph Merriam Olson Warren Knight P. Brown Reagan J. Brown Deukmejian Wilson Davis Schwarzenegger J. Brown Before 1850 Since 1850 By age By education Spouses Chief executives of the United States Federal President of the United States State governors ( current list ) Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California list Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii list Idaho Illinois list Indiana list Iowa list Kansas Kentucky list Louisiana Maine list Maryland list Massachusetts Michigan list Minnesota list Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska list Nevada New Hampshire list New Jersey list New Mexico list New York list North Carolina list North Dakota list Ohio Oklahoma list Oregon list Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina list South Dakota list Tennessee list Texas list Utah Vermont list Virginia list Washington West Virginia Wisconsin list Wyoming Territorial ( current list ) American Samoa District of Columbia Guam Northern Mariana Islands Puerto Rico list United States Virgin Islands Defunct Pre-state territories Panama Canal Zone Cuba Philippine Islands ( until 1935 ) Philippine Commonwealth ( until 1946 ) Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_Governors_of_California&oldid=845290387 '' Categories : Governors of California Lists of state governors of the United States Lists of California politicians Hidden categories : Articles with hCards Featured lists Talk Contents About Wikipedia Bosanski Deutsch فارسی Français Bahasa Indonesia Latina Magyar Nederlands 日本 語 Norsk Polski Português Română Русский Simple English Српски / srpski Suomi Svenska 中文 10 more Edit links This page was last edited on 10 June 2018, at 20 : 05 ( UTC ). 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Question: who was the first governor of california after statehood
Answer: Peter Hardeman Burnett