Identification

• The governor is the official elected by popular vote to be a state's chief executive. His job mirrors that of the president, but on the state level.
  
  

Duties

• The governor is limited in power by the state version of checks and balances, but he does have the power to veto, command the state's National Guard and set the state budget, among other duties that go under the heading of "running the state."
  
  

Requirements

• Depending on the individual state laws, the governor must be elected, a resident of the state for at least five years, 30 years of age and an American citizen.
  
  

Fun Facts

• New York state's longest-serving governor was George Clinton, who served a term of 21 years beginning in 1777. Also, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger of California isn't the only foreign-born (Austria) governor in history. Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm was born in Canada.
  
  

Considerations

• Because they must run an entire state, governors must have experience not only in politics but also in managing large-scale organizations. While in office, the governor is responsible for every state agency's budget and operations.