Governor of Maryland

Maryland Governor
General information
Office Type:	Partisan
Office website:	Official Link
Compensation:	$170,000
2022 FY Budget:	$11,135,297
Term limits:	2 consecutive terms
Structure
Length of term:	4 years
Authority:	Maryland Constitution, Article II, Section I
Selection Method:	Elected
Current Officeholder
Governor of Maryland Larry Hogan Republican Party Assumed office: 2015-01-21
Elections
Next election:	November 8, 2022
Last election:	November 6, 2018
Other Maryland Executive Offices
Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Comptroller • Treasurer • Superintendent of Education • Agriculture Secretary • Insurance Commissioner • Natural Resources Commissioner • Secretary of Labor • Public Service Commission

The Governor of the State of Maryland is an elected constitutional officer, the head of the executive branch and the highest state office in Maryland. The governor is popularly elected every four years by a plurality and is limited to two consecutive terms.^[1]

Maryland has a divided government where neither party holds a trifecta. The Republican Party controls the office of governor, while the Democratic Party controls both chambers of the state legislature.

Maryland has a divided government where neither party holds a triplex. The Republican Party controls the offices of governor and secretary of state, while the Democratic Party controls the office of attorney general.

See also: Maryland State Legislature, Maryland House of Delegates, Maryland State Senate

Current officer[edit]

The current officeholder is Larry Hogan (R).^[1] He was first elected to the office on November 4, 2014. Hogan was sworn into office on January 21, 2015, replacing Martin O'Malley (D).^[2]

Authority[edit]

The state Constitution addresses the office of the governor in Article II, the Executive Department.^[3]

Under Article II, Section I:

The executive power of the State shall be vested in a Governor...[3]

Qualifications[edit]

State Executives
Current Governors
Gubernatorial Elections
2022 • 2021 • 2020 2019 • 2018 • 2017 2016 • 2015 • 2014
Current Lt. Governors
Lt. Governor Elections
2022 • 2021 • 2020 2019 • 2018 • 2017 2016 • 2015 • 2014

A candidate for the governor's chair must be:^[3]

• at least 30 years old
• a U.S. citizen
• a resident and registered voter in Maryland for the five years preceding the election

Elections[edit]

Maryland elects governors in the midterm elections, that is, even years that are not presidential election years. For Maryland, 2018, 2022, 2026, 2030, and 2034 are all gubernatorial election years. Legally, the gubernatorial inauguration is always set for the third Wednesday in the January following an election.

In the event of a tie, the state Senate and House of Delegates shall meet and cast ballots to choose the governor and the lieutenant governor.

2022[edit]

See also: Maryland gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2022

The primary will occur on July 19, 2022. The general election will occur on November 8, 2022. Additional general election candidates will be added here following the primary.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Mike Rosenbaum (D)

2018[edit]

See also: Maryland gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2018

2014[edit]

See also: Maryland gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2014

Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Maryland, 2014
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Larry Hogan/Boyd Rutherford	51%	884,400
	Democratic	Anthony Brown/Ken Ulman	47.2%	818,890
	Libertarian	Shawn Quinn/Lorenzo Gaztanaga	1.5%	25,382
	Nonpartisan	Write-in votes	0.3%	4,505
Total Votes				1,733,177
Election results via Maryland State Board of Elections

Term limits[edit]

See also: States with gubernatorial term limits

Maryland governors are restricted to two consecutive terms in office, after which they must wait one term before being eligible to run again.^[3]

Maryland Constitution, Article II, Section 1

a person who has served two consecutive popular elective terms of office as Governor shall be ineligible to succeed himself as Governor for the term immediately following the second of said two consecutive popular elective terms.[3]

Partisan composition[edit]

The chart below shows the partisan breakdown of Maryland governors from 1992 to 2013.

Vacancies[edit]

See also: How gubernatorial vacancies are filled

Details of vacancy appointments are addressed under Article II, Sections 6 and 7.

Regarding the governor-elect, if that individual dies or resigns, the lieutenant governor shall become the governor for the full term. If the governor-elect fails to take office for any other reason, the lieutenant governor shall take over with the title of 'Acting Governor' only until the vacancy is permanently filled.

When the governor is temporarily unable to discharge the office, whether or not he or she is able to communicate that in writing to the lieutenant governor, the latter shall become the acting governor. Before resuming her or his duties, the governor must inform the lieutenant governor in writing of the fact.

At any time, by a three-fifths vote, the General Assembly may declare the governor, or the lieutenant governor, mentally or physically unfit to hold the office. For purposes of taking such a vote, a member of the Assembly may call both chambers into a joint session. If such a resolution concerning the governor's fitness for office is adopted, it shall be delivered to a Maryland Court of Appeals, which shall, in turn, make a decision. The same process applies to a governor-elect or a lieutenant governor-elect.

If the governor's seat becomes otherwise vacant, the lieutenant governor shall assume the office and complete the term. After the lieutenant governor, the President of the Senate is next to succeed. He or she shall, as acting governor, retain the title of 'Senate President', but the Senate shall nominate another member to execute the actual tasks of that office.

Under circumstances when the governor-elect fails to take office, the Maryland Court of Appeals has exclusive jurisdiction in settling disputes and issues that arise from that situation.

With respect to Article III, Section 26 of the Constitution, the legislature may remove and impeach the governor or the lieutenant governor.

Duties[edit]

Because of the extent of his or her constitutional powers, the governor of Maryland has been ranked among the most powerful governors in the United States.

The governor is the commander-in-chief of all Maryland's naval and militia forces, though he or she may not take direct command without the consent of the legislature.

With the consent of the Senate, the governor nominates and appoints all civil and military officers whose manner of appointment is not otherwise provided in law. However, under §10 and 10A, "lame duck" governors lose that privilege. Specifically, a governor who has lost a primary or a general election in a re-election bid in the span between the election he lost and the inauguration loses appointment prerogatives. The same applies to a term-limited governor in the span between Election Day and Inauguration Day. The only exception is for emergencies, which require the governor to file a statement of emergency with the Maryland Secretary of State; such appointments may be revoked by the succeeding governor.

At his or her pleasure, the governor may remove any appointee for incompetence or misconduct. Rare among governors, Maryland's chief executive may also suspend any military officer and may, further, initiate a court martial. (§ 15)

At least twice each year, the governor must, under oath, examine the treasurer and the Comptroller of Maryland, and review the state's books. (§ 18) Under § 19, the governor also gives a periodic address to the legislature on the condition of the state and makes recommendations.^[3]

Other duties and privileges of the office include:

• Convening extraordinary session of the legislature, or the Senate alone, as well as moving the location of the legislature's meeting under special circumstances (§ 16)

• Vetoing all bills from the legislature, including appropriations bills, subject to a legislative override (§ 17)

• Granting pardons and reprieves, saves in cases in impeachment, and forfeiting fines, provided he follows a certain protocol for notifying lawmakers and citizens of such action (§ 20)

• Reorganizing the Executive Branch, including establishing and abolishing entire departments, offices, and agencies (§ 24)

Divisions[edit]

Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for information that describes the divisions (if any exist) of a state executive office. That information for the Governor of Maryland has not yet been added. After extensive research we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.

Role in state budget[edit]

See also: Maryland state budget and finances

The state operates on an annual budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:^[4]

1. Budget instructions are sent to state agencies in June of the year preceding the start of the new fiscal year.
2. State agencies submit their budget requests to the governor between September and October.
3. Agency hearings are held from October through December.
4. The governor submits his or her proposed budget to the state legislature on the third Wednesday in January.
5. The legislature typically adopts a budget by the 83rd day of the session. A simple majority is required to pass a budget. The fiscal year begins July 1.

Maryland is one of 44 states in which the governor has line item veto authority.^[4]

The governor is constitutionally required to submit a balanced budget proposal. Likewise, the legislature is required to adopt a balanced budget.^[4]

Governor's office budget[edit]

The Office of the Governor's budget for fiscal year 2022 was $11,135,297.^[5]

Compensation[edit]

See also: Comparison of gubernatorial salaries and Compensation of state executive officers

The salaries of the governor and lieutenant governor are decided upon by the Governor’s Salary Commission, a seven-member commission created by a 1976 amendment in Section 21A of the Maryland Constitution. The commission includes three members appointed by the President of the Senate, and three members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates. Appointees serve a four-year term.^[3]

The commission may not recommend, and the legislature may not amend, the salary to be lower than that most recently received by the incumbent governor. Whatever the outcome, the decided-upon salary takes effect with the beginning of the next gubernatorial term. If either the commission or the Assembly fails to take action, the same salary already in place applies.^[6]

Maryland Constitution, Article II Section 21A

(c) Within 10 days after the commencement of the regular session of the General Assembly in 1978, and within 10 days after the commencement of the regular session of the General Assembly each fourth year thereafter, the commission shall make a written recommendation to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and other members of the General Assembly as to the salary of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor. (e) The commission may not recommend salaries lower than that received by the incumbent Governor at the time the recommendation is made.[3]

2020[edit]

In 2020, the governor’s salary was increased to $170,000, according to the Council of State Governments.^[7]

2019[edit]

In 2019, the governor’s salary was increased to $170,000, according to the Council of State Governments.^[8]

2018[edit]

In 2018, the governor’s salary was increased to $170,000, according to the Council of State Governments.^[9]

2017[edit]

In 2017, the governor’s salary was increased to $170,000, according to the Council of State Governments.^[10]

2016[edit]

In 2016, the governor’s salary was increased to $170,000, according to the Council of State Governments.^[11]

2015[edit]

In 2015, the governor received a salary was $150,000, according to the Council of State Governments.^[12]

2014[edit]

In 2014, the governor earned a salary of $150,000, according to the Council of State Governments.^[13]

2013[edit]

In 2013, the governor's salary remained at $150,000, according to the Council of State Governments.^[14]

2010[edit]

In 2010, the governor was paid $150,000 a year, the 11th highest gubernatorial salary in America.

Gubernatorial residence[edit]

Pursuant to Section 20, Maryland is one of the few states where the state's Constitution actually requires that the sitting governor reside at the official residence.

Historical officeholders[edit]

There have been 62 Governors of Maryland since 1777. Of the 62 officeholders, 8 were Republican and 28 were Democrat.^[15]

List of officeholders from 1777-present
#	Name	Tenure	Party
1	Thomas Johnson	1777 - 1779	Federalist
2	Thomas Sim Lee	1779 - 1782	Federalist
3	William Paca	1782 - 1785	Anti-Federalist
4	William Smallwood	1785 - 1788	Unknown
5	John Eager Howard	1788 - 1791	Federalist
6	George Plater	1791 - 1792	Federalist
	James Brice	1792	Federalist
2	Thomas Sim Lee	1792 - 1794	Federalist
7	John Hoskins Stone	1794 - 1797	Federalist
8	John Henry	1797 - 1798	Democratic
9	Benjamin Ogle	1798 - 1801	Federalist
10	John Francis Mercer	1801 - 1803	Democratic-Republican
11	Robert Bowie	1803 - 1806	Democratic-Republican
12	Robert Wright	1806 - 1809	Democratic
13	Edward Lloyd	1809 - 1811	Democratic-Republican
11	Robert Bowie	1811 - 1812	Democratic-Republican
14	Levin Winder	1812 - 1816	Federalist
15	Charles Carnan Ridgely	1816 - 1819	Federalist
16	Charles Goldsborough	1819	Federalist
17	Samuel Sprigg	1819 - 1822	Democratic, Whig
18	Samuel Stevens	1822 - 1826	Democratic
19	Joseph Kent	1826 - 1829	Republican
20	Daniel Martin	1829 - 1830	Whig
21	Thomas King Carroll	1830 - 1831	Democratic
20	Daniel Martin	1831	Whig
22	George Howard	1831 - 1833	Whig
23	James Thomas	1833 - 1836	Whig
24	Thomas Ward Veazey	1836 - 1839	Whig
25	William Grason	1839 - 1842	Federalist; anti-Jackson Democrat by 1828
26	Francis Thomas	1842 - 1845	Democratic; Unionist; Republican
27	Thomas George Pratt	1845 - 1848	Whig; Democratic
28	Phillip Francis Thomas	1848 - 1851	Democratic
29	Enoch Louis Lowe	1851 - 1854	Democratic
30	Thomas Watkins Ligon	1854 - 1858	Democratic
31	Thomas Holliday Hicks	1858 - 1862	Know-Nothing Party
32	Augustus Williamson Bradford	1862 - 1866	Whig; Unionist; Democratic
33	Thomas Swann	1866 - 1869	American; Unionist; Republican
34	Oden Bowie	1869 - 1872	Democratic
35	William Pinkney Whyte	1872 - 1874	Democratic
36	James Black Groome	1874 - 1876	Democratic
37	John Lee Carroll	1876 - 1880	Democratic
38	William Thomas Hamilton	1880 - 1884	Democratic
39	Robert Milligan McLane	1884 - 1885	Democratic
40	Henry Lloyd	1885 - 1888	Democratic
41	Elihu Emory Jackson	1888 - 1892	Democratic
42	Frank Brown	1892 - 1896	Democratic
43	Lloyd Lowndes	1896 - 1900	Republican
44	John Walter Smith	1900 - 1904	Democratic
45	Edwin Warfield	1904 - 1908	Democratic
46	Austin Lane Crothers	1908 - 1912	Democratic
47	Phillips Lee Goldsborough	1912 - 1916	Republican
48	Emerson Columbus Harrington	1916 - 1920	Democratic
49	Albert Cabell Ritchie	1920 - 1935	Democratic
50	Harry Whinna Nice	1935 - 1939	Republican
51	Herbert Romulus O'Conor	1939 - 1947	Democratic
52	William Preston Lane	1947 - 1951	Democratic
53	Theodore Roosevelt McKeldin	1951 - 1959	Republican
54	J. Millard Tawes	1959 - 1967	Democratic
55	Spiro Theodore Agnew	1967 - 1969	Republican
56	Marvin Mandel	1969 - 1979	Democratic
	Blair Lee	1977 - 1979	Democratic
57	Harry Roe Hughes	1979 - 1987	Democratic
58	William Donald Schaefer	1987 - 1995	Democratic
59	Parris N. Glendening	1995 - 2003	Democratic
60	Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.	2003 - 2007	Republican
61	Martin O'Malley	2007 - 2015	Democratic
62	Larry Hogan	2015-present	Republican

History[edit]

Partisan balance 1992-2013[edit]

See also: Ballotpedia:Who Runs the States and Ballotpedia:Who Runs the States, Maryland

From 1992 to 2013, in Maryland there were Democratic governors in office for 18 years while there were Republican governors in office for four years, including the last seven. Maryland is one of seven states that were run by a Democratic governor for more than 80 percent of the years between 1992-2013. Maryland was under Democratic trifectas for the last seven years of the study period.

Across the country, there were 493 years of Democratic governors (44.82%) and 586 years of Republican governors (53.27%) from 1992 to 2013.

Over the course of the 22-year study, state governments became increasingly more partisan. At the outset of the study period (1992), 18 of the 49 states with partisan legislatures had single-party trifectas and 31 states had divided governments. In 2013, only 13 states had divided governments, while single-party trifectas held sway in 36 states, the most in the 22 years studied.

The chart below shows the partisan composition of the Office of the Governor of Maryland, the Maryland State Senate and the Maryland House of Delegates from 1992 to 2013.

SQLI and partisanship[edit]

The chart below depicts the partisanship of the Maryland state government and the state's SQLI ranking for the years studied. For the SQLI, the states were ranked from 1-50, with 1 being the best and 50 the worst. Maryland experienced two long periods of Democratic trifectas, between 1992 and 2002 and again between 2007 and 2013. The state cracked the top-10 in the SQLI ranking in three separate years (2002, 2006, and 2008), twice under a Democratic trifecta and once under divided government. Maryland ranked lowest on the SQLI ranking in two separate years (1992 and 1995), in which the state placed 25th under a Democratic trifecta. Maryland has never had a Republican trifecta.

• SQLI average with Democratic trifecta: 16.35
• SQLI average with Republican trifecta: N/A
• SQLI average with divided government: 10.75

Recent news[edit]

The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Governor Maryland. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.

Contact information[edit]

100 State Circle
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
Phone:(410) 974-3901
Toll Free:1-800-811-8336

See also[edit]

• Maryland state executive offices
• Maryland state executive officials

External links[edit]

• Office of the Maryland Governor

Footnotes[edit]

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