Jonah Patel
Georgia's executive branch is the largest of the state's three branches of government. The Georgia Constitution names eight officers who are elected by Georgia voters to serve in the executive branch. These officers lead agencies that enforce state laws and carry out programs such as education, elections, and law enforcement. The governor of Georgia, currently Brian Kemp, is the chief executive officer. The governor's responsibilities are similar to those of the US president, as both oversee government budgets, serve as Commander-in-Chief, propose laws, and sign or veto legislation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of elected constitutional officers | 8 |
| Chief executive officer | Governor Brian Kemp |
| Lieutenant Governor | Burt Jones |
| Secretary of State | Brad Raffensperger |
| Attorney General | Chris Carr |
| State School Superintendent | Richard Woods |
| Commissioner of Agriculture | Tyler Harper |
| Commissioner of Insurance | John F. King |
| Commissioner of Labor | Bárbara Rivera Holmes |
Explore related products
$72 $72
What You'll Learn
Governor of Georgia
The Governor of Georgia is the chief executive officer of the state. The current governor is Brian P. Kemp, who took office in January 2019 and was re-elected for a second term in 2022. Kemp's political career began when he served as a state senator from 2003 to 2007. He then served as Georgia Secretary of State from 2010 to 2018.
The governor is the ceremonial leader or head of state and is responsible for initiating the state budget, setting forth a recommended legislative agenda, and signing or vetoing legislative bills. The governor must also work closely with other elected officials and appointed administrators, including the lieutenant governor, currently Burt Jones, and the secretary of state, currently Brad Raffensperger.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kemp opposed face mask mandates and stay-at-home orders, prohibiting localities from implementing stricter public health measures than the state as a whole. He also refused to resign as secretary of state while campaigning for governor, which stirred controversy and accusations of abuse of power from Democrats. Kemp has also faced criticism from President Donald Trump for following state law and certifying the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia, despite Trump's false claims of fraud.
Post-War Japan: The 1946 Constitution's Impact
You may want to see also
Lieutenant Governor
The Lieutenant Governor of Georgia is the second-highest-ranking member of the executive branch of Georgia's state government. The current Lieutenant Governor is Burt Jones, a former state senator, businessman, and community leader. Jones is the 13th Lieutenant Governor of Georgia and has focused his tenure on lowering state income tax, improving the state's education system, strengthening public safety, and creating more opportunities for Georgia families.
As a legislative player, the Lieutenant Governor presides over the senate. They work with the governor to propose a legislative agenda and initiate the state budget. The Lieutenant Governor also has the power to sign or veto legislative bills.
The Lieutenant Governor of Georgia has a large role in creating jobs and growing businesses. Before his political career, Jones was a successful businessman, helping to grow his family's company, Jones Petroleum, and employing nearly 2,000 Georgians. As a state senator, Jones delivered wins for his district, including the creation of hundreds of new jobs and two new rural hospitals.
In addition to the Lieutenant Governor, there are seven other popularly elected constitutional executive officers in Georgia: the governor, the secretary of state, the attorney general, the state school superintendent, and the commissioners of agriculture, insurance, and labor. Each of these officers presides over their own executive department.
The Constitution's Continental Congress Adoption Date
You may want to see also
Attorney General
The Attorney General of Georgia is a constitutional officer and the state's top lawyer. The Attorney General is responsible for providing legal advice to the executive branch of the state government and representing the state in legal proceedings. The current Attorney General of Georgia is Christopher M. Carr, commonly known as Chris Carr, who was first appointed in 2016 and was most recently re-elected in the 2022 statewide elections.
The Attorney General's duties include providing written opinions on legal questions concerning the state, prosecuting public corruption cases, overseeing contracts on behalf of the state, and representing the state in civil and criminal cases, including all capital felony appeals and cases before the Supreme Court of the United States. The Attorney General also leads the Georgia Department of Law and may initiate civil or criminal actions on behalf of the state when requested by the governor.
Article V, Section III, Paragraph IV of the Constitution of Georgia outlines the duties of the Attorney General, including acting as the legal advisor to the executive department and representing the state in the Supreme Court in capital felonies and other civil and criminal cases when required by the Governor.
The Attorney General has the authority to employ private counsel for executive departments and agencies and initiate investigations into executive departments and agencies. Additionally, the Attorney General can appoint or contract attorneys to assist in carrying out their duties. However, the Attorney General cannot investigate or issue subpoenas against any member of the General Assembly while it is in session and can be investigated by the Governor or the General Assembly.
The Attorney General of Georgia is elected to a four-year term concurrently with the governor of Georgia and other statewide offices. The office of the Attorney General originated during Georgia's colonial history, with the first attorney general, William Clifton, appointed by King George II in 1754.
The Soldier's Oath: Defending the Constitution
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Secretary of State
The Secretary of State in Georgia is currently Brad Raffensperger. The Secretary of State registers voters, tracks annual corporate filings, grants professional licenses, and oversees the state's securities market. Eligible Georgians can register to vote through the Secretary of State's Office. Additionally, businesses must file annual registrations with the Secretary of State, and they can also reserve a business name while in the process of making their business official.
The Secretary of State's office provides a range of services to businesses and individuals. For example, those looking to register a limited liability company (LLC) in Georgia must submit the Articles of Organization and a transmittal form, along with a filing fee, to the Secretary of State's Corporations Division. The processing time varies, and expedited services are available for additional fees.
The Secretary of State also plays a role in elections. Registered voters in Georgia can view their sample ballots before an election and have the option to vote by absentee ballot, in person before Election Day, or on Election Day. The Secretary of State's office also holds press conferences and makes recommendations to Congress regarding election procedures.
The Secretary of State is one of eight elected constitutional officers in Georgia's executive branch, which is directed by the governor and includes the lieutenant governor, attorney general, state school superintendent, and commissioners of agriculture, insurance, and labor.
The Preamble: Our Constitution's Guiding Principles
You may want to see also
State School Superintendent
The State School Superintendent is one of the eight elected constitutional officers in Georgia. The current State School Superintendent is Richard Woods. Woods grew up in a military family and lived in several states before moving to Georgia. He graduated from Fitzgerald High School and went on to obtain a Bachelor's Degree from Kennesaw State University and a Master's Degree from Valdosta State University.
Woods has extensive experience in public education, with over 25 years of pre-K through 12th-grade teaching and administrative experience. He was a high school teacher for 14 years, serving as department chair and teacher mentor, and was selected as Teacher of the Year during his tenure. He also served in various administrative roles, including assistant principal, principal, curriculum director, testing coordinator, pre-K director, and alternative school director.
As the State School Superintendent, Woods is responsible for distributing funds to K-12 schools, pre-kindergarten programs, and the HOPE Scholarship. In the 2024 fiscal year, he oversaw the distribution of $13.3 billion in funding for education. The State School Superintendent plays a crucial role in ensuring that Georgia's students receive the resources they need to succeed academically.
Lyttleton Constitution of 1954: Key Features Explained
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Georgia Constitution names eight officers that are elected by all Georgia voters to serve in the executive branch. These include the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State School Superintendent, Commissioner of Insurance, Commissioner of Agriculture, and Commissioner of Labor.
The executive branch is the largest of Georgia's three branches of state government. The eight elected officers lead agencies responsible for enforcing state laws and carrying out programs in areas such as education, elections, and law enforcement.
As of 2023, the current officeholders are Governor Brian Kemp, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, Attorney General Chris Carr, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, State School Superintendent Richard Woods, and Commissioners of Agriculture, Insurance, and Labor Tyler Harper, John F. King, and Bárbara Rivera Holmes, respectively.
