Governor of Nebraska
Governor of Nebraska | |
---|---|
Seal of Nebraska | |
Style | The Honorable |
Term length | Four years, renewable once |
Inaugural holder |
David Butler 1867 |
Formation | Constitution of Nebraska |
Website | governor.nebraska.gov |
The governor of Nebraska holds the "supreme executive power" of the state of Nebraska as provided by the fourth article of the Nebraska Constitution. The current governor is Pete Ricketts, a Republican, who assumed office on January 8, 2015. The current Lieutenant Governor is Mike Foley, who assumed office on January 8, 2015.
Governors of Nebraska must be at least 30 years old and have been citizens and residents of the state for five years before being elected. Before 1966, the governor was elected to a two-year term. The state constitution was amended in a 1962 referendum so that beginning with the 1966 election, the governor would be elected to a four-year term; in 1966, this was further amended to place a term limit of two consecutive terms. The lieutenant governor is subject to the same limitations and runs on a combined ticket with the governor. Governors are limited to two consecutive terms but there is no limit on the total number of terms one may serve.
If the governor becomes incapacitated or is out of the state, the Lieutenant Governor acts as Governor; if there is a vacancy or permanent incapacitation, the Lieutenant Governor becomes Governor. However, if both offices become vacant, the next person in the line of succession is the Speaker of the Nebraska Legislature.