The governor of Rhode Island is the head of government of the U.S. stateofRhode Island and serves as commander-in-chief of the state's Army National Guard and Air National Guard. The current governorisDan McKee, a member of the Democratic Party. In their capacity as commander of the national guard, the governor of Rhode Island also has the title of captain general.[2]
| Governor of the State of Rhode Island | |
|---|---|
| |
| |
Dan McKee since March 2, 2021 | |
| Government of Rhode Island | |
| Style |
(formal) |
| Type | Head of state Head of government |
| Member of | Cabinet |
| Residence | None official |
| Seat | State House, Providence, Rhode Island |
| Nominator | Primary election |
| Appointer | Popular vote |
| Term length | Four years; renewable once consecutively |
| Constituting instrument | Constitution of Rhode Island |
| Formation | Original form: June 1636 Current form: November 1775 |
| Deputy | Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island |
| Salary | $145,754.96 (2020)[1] |
| Website | Official website  |
The following are the requirements to be elected Governor of Rhode Island:[3]
Section I, Article IX[4] of the Rhode Island Constitution reads,
Power vested in governor. – The chief executive power of this state shall be vested in a governor, who, together with a lieutenant governor, shall be elected by the people.
The Governor of Rhode Island is elected every four years and is limited to two consecutive terms. As the chief executive of the Government of Rhode Island, the governor is supported by a number of elected general officers and appointed directors of state agencies.
Responsibilities granted to the governor by the Rhode Island Constitution include the position of commander-in-chief of all components of the Rhode Island National Guard, so long as they remain un-federalized by the president of the United States, and the responsibility to submit the annual state budget to the Rhode Island General Assembly.
The governor also has the power to grant pardons and veto bills, resolutions and votes subject to a two-thirds override.
| Party | Governors |
|---|---|
| Republican | 32 |
| Democratic | 22 |
| Democratic-Republican | 4 |
| Independent | 4 |
| Whig | 4 |
| Country | 3 |
| Law and Order | 2 |
| Dorr Rebellion | 1 |
| Federalist | 1 |
| Know Nothing | 1 |
| Rhode Island Party | 1 |
