California history is a wild ride. Honestly, if you look at the list of governors California has cycled through since 1849, it reads less like a political roster and more like a Hollywood casting call. We’ve had bodybuilders, movie stars, a Chief Justice, and even a guy who quit after five days because he found a better gig in the Senate.
Most people just want a quick name and a date. But the actual story of who has run the Golden State is filled with weird power struggles, massive egos, and some genuinely groundbreaking policy that changed the entire country.
The Names You Know and the Ones You Don’t
Basically, there have been 40 people who served as Governor of California.
The first was Peter Hardeman Burnett. He took office in 1849 before California was even officially a state. He didn’t last long—resigning in 1851 because he was deeply unpopular and, frankly, struggled with the transition from military to civil rule. Then you’ve got Milton Latham. He is the ultimate trivia answer. He served for five days in 1860. Five. He was inaugurated, then immediately convinced the legislature to send him to the U.S. Senate to fill a vacancy. Efficient, I guess?
The Modern Heavyweights
If we jump ahead to the era most of us actually remember, the list gets much more recognizable.
- Ronald Reagan (1967–1975): Before he was the 40th U.S. President, he was the 33rd Governor of California. He actually raised taxes to balance the budget, which surprises people who only know his federal "Reaganomics" era.
- Jerry Brown (The Sequel): Jerry is the only person on the list of governors California has seen to serve non-consecutive terms. He was there from 1975 to 1983, then came back decades later to serve from 2011 to 2019. He’s both one of the youngest and the oldest person to hold the office.
- Arnold Schwarzenegger (2003–2011): The "Governator." He won during the chaotic 2003 recall of Gray Davis. Regardless of your politics, seeing a bodybuilder from Austria lead the world's fifth-largest economy was a moment.
How the Power Shifted Over Time
Early on, the governors were a mix of "Know-Nothings," Independent Democrats, and early Republicans.
📖 Related: NIES: What Most People Get Wrong About the National Institute for Environmental Studies
For a long time, the state was a Republican stronghold. From 1899 to 1939, Democrats only held the office once. Think about that. It wasn't until Culbert Olson broke the streak that the modern Democratic party really got a foothold in Sacramento.
Then came Earl Warren. He’s a legend in California law. He’s the only person to ever run for governor essentially unopposed because he won the nominations of the Democrats, Republicans, and Progressives all at the same time in 1946. You don't see that kind of consensus today. He eventually left to become the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, where he oversaw Brown v. Board of Education.
The Full List of California Governors
To keep it simple, here is how the timeline actually breaks down.
The Early Era (1849–1900)
Peter Burnett, John McDougal, John Bigler, J. Neely Johnson, John Weller, Milton Latham, John Downey, Leland Stanford, Frederick Low, Henry Haight, Newton Booth, Romualdo Pacheco, William Irwin, George Perkins, George Stoneman, Washington Bartlett, Robert Waterman, Henry Markham, James Budd, and Henry Gage.
The Progressive & Mid-Century Era (1900–1967)
George Pardee, James Gillett, Hiram Johnson, William Stephens, Friend Richardson, C.C. Young, James Rolph, Frank Merriam, Culbert Olson, Earl Warren, Goodwin Knight, and Pat Brown.
👉 See also: Middle East Ceasefire: What Everyone Is Actually Getting Wrong
The Modern Era (1967–Present)
Ronald Reagan, Jerry Brown (first stint), George Deukmejian, Pete Wilson, Gray Davis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jerry Brown (second stint), and Gavin Newsom.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Recall
You've probably heard about the 2003 recall. It’s the one that put Arnold in the chair.
Gray Davis was the 37th governor. He wasn't exactly beloved, but the recall was sparked by a massive energy crisis and a budget deficit that seemed to appear out of nowhere. It was only the second time in U.S. history a governor was successfully recalled.
People think it happens all the time. It doesn't. Gavin Newsom faced a massive recall effort in 2021, but he beat it handily with about 62% of the vote. Recalling a governor in California is legally "easy" to start—you just need enough signatures—but it's incredibly hard to actually finish.
Why This List Matters for 2026 and Beyond
Looking at the list of governors California provides is like looking at a roadmap of American policy.
✨ Don't miss: Michael Collins of Ireland: What Most People Get Wrong
California often acts as a laboratory. When Hiram Johnson introduced the initiative, referendum, and recall processes back in 1911, he changed how voters interact with the government forever. When Pat Brown built the State Water Project, he literally made it possible for millions of people to live in a desert.
Actionable Takeaways for Residents and Researchers
If you're trying to understand California's current political climate, don't just look at the news today.
- Check the Archives: The California State Library keeps incredible digital records of every governor’s papers. If you want to know why a specific law exists, start there.
- Understand Term Limits: Since Proposition 140 passed in 1990, governors are limited to two four-year terms. This is why Gavin Newsom cannot run again in 2026.
- Watch the Lieutenant Governor: Historically, the "Lt. Gov" position is a stepping stone. Many on the list, like John McDougal and Romualdo Pacheco, only got the top spot because the sitting governor resigned or died.
The next election in 2026 will add a 41st name to this list. Whether that person is a career politician or another celebrity outsider remains to be seen, but history suggests it won't be boring.
To stay ahead of the upcoming 2026 gubernatorial race, monitor the California Secretary of State's official candidate filings beginning in early 2026. Reviewing the legislative legacy of past governors like Earl Warren or Hiram Johnson provides the necessary context to evaluate how new candidates' platforms might actually reshape the state’s long-term trajectory.