  the governor of the state of south carolina is the head of state for the state of south carolina. under the south carolina constitution, the governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the south carolina executive branch. the governor is the ex officio commander-in-chief of the national guard when not called into federal use. the governor's responsibilities include making yearly "state of the state" addresses to the south carolina general assembly, submitting an executive budget and ensuring that state laws are enforced the 116th and current governor of south carolina is nikki haley, who is in her first term after being elected in 2010. haley defeated democratic candidate vincent sheheen in the november 2010 midterm elections. haley is the first female and first minority governor in the state's history. ==requirements to hold office== there are three legal requirements set forth in section 2 of article iv of the south carolina constitution. (1) belief in the existence of a supreme being. (2) be at least 30 years of age. (3) citizen of the united states and a resident of south carolina for 5 years preceding the day of election. the first is thought to be unenforceable.the south carolina governance projectsouth carolina constitution article iv ==term(s) of office== under section 4 in article iv of the south carolina constitution, the governor serves a four-year term in office beginning at noon on the first wednesday following the second tuesday in january next after his or her election and ending at noon on the first wednesday following the second tuesday
Governors_of_South_Carolina State_constitutional_officers_of_South_Carolina