In the United States, each state and territory has constitutional officers who lead the state governments of the United States. These officers may be elected or appointed, depending on the position. The number and powers of state constitutional officers varies from state to state, based on the constitution and statutes of each state. State constitutional officers may reside in the executive or legislative branch, while state constitutions also establish the judicial system of the state, including state supreme courts.
Explanation:
The governor of each state heads the executive branch and, depending on the individual jurisdiction, may have considerable control over government budgeting, the power of appointment of many officials, and a considerable role in legislation. The governor may also have additional roles, such as that of commander-in-chief of the state's National Guard, and in many states and territories the governor has partial or absolute power to commute or pardon a criminal sentence.
45 of the 50 states have a lieutenant governor who stands in for the governor when the governor is absent from the state or temporarily incapacitated. In most cases, the lieutenant governor ascends to the position of governor after the death or resignation of the governor, but in some states the lieutenant governor becomes an acting governor. In many states, the lieutenant governor has few official powers, similar to the United States Vice President.[1] However, some lieutenant governors do have significant responsibilities.[2] In Texas, the lieutenant governor has numerous powers over the legislative process, particularly in the senate.[3]
Every state has an attorney general, who is the chief legal advisor to the state government and the state's chief law enforcement officer, analogous to the United States Attorney General. 43 of the states directly elect their attorney general, while the others are selected by the governor, legislature, or state supreme court.[4] Attorneys general often have wide discretion in what cases to prosecute and how to settle cases.[5] State attorneys general can often make an impact even beyond their state, taking part in major challenges to federal laws and prosecuting major national companies.[6][7] In many states, the attorney general is arguably the second most powerful constitutional officer, after the governor.[5][6][8]
Every state has a state treasurer, or an equivalent, who serves as the chief custodian of each state's treasury, and is the state's head banker. Typically, he or she receives and deposits state money, manages investments, and keeps track of budget surpluses and deficits. The position has powers and responsibilities similar to those of the United States Secretary of the Treasury and the Treasurer of the United States. 39 of the 50 states popularly elect the treasurer, while the other 11 treasurers are appointed by the governor or elected by the legislature. Texas and New York do not have treasurers, but do have state comptrollers who perform similar functions and are part of the National Association of State Treasurers.[9] Some states elect both a state treasurer and a state comptroller. In Illinois, for example, the treasurer invests the public funds, while the comptroller writes the checks to cover the state's expenses.[10]
47 of the 50 states have a secretary of state. 35 of those states popularly elect the secretary of the state, while in the other states either the governor appoints or the legislature elects the secretary of state.[11] Because the foreign policy of the United States is handled at the federal level, the duties of the position are very different from those of the United States Secretary of State. In many states, the secretary of state is the chief elections officer. Other duties vary from state to state.[12]
