The number of terms a governor can serve varies by state in the U.S., with different term limits and rules:
- Most states have four-year terms, except Vermont and New Hampshire, where terms are two years long
- 37 states impose some form of term limits on governors, while 13 states do not have term limits
- The most common limit is two consecutive four-year terms. After serving two consecutive terms, a governor must leave office but may be eligible to run again after a break (usually four years)
- Some states have lifetime limits of two terms, meaning a governor can only serve two terms in their lifetime, whether consecutive or not (e.g., Arkansas, California, Delaware, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma)
- Virginia is unique in that governors can only serve one consecutive four-year term but may run again after a four-year gap
- Some states have limits like serving 8 years out of any 12 or 16 years (e.g., Indiana, Oregon, Wyoming, Montana)
- Several states have no term limits at all, allowing governors to serve unlimited terms (e.g., Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin)
In summary, a governor can serve anywhere from a single term to unlimited terms depending on the state's constitution, with the most common limit being two consecutive four-year terms. Some states allow non-consecutive terms after a break, and a few have lifetime term limits. Others have no limits at all. This variation reflects the diverse approaches states take to gubernatorial term limits across the U.S.
