Previous Governors of Georgia
Governors who previously held office in Georgia, with term dates and party affiliation.
Brian Porter Kemp is an American politician serving as the 83rd governor of Georgia since 2019. A member of the Republican Party, Kemp served as the state's 27th secretary of state from 2010 to 2018, and as a member of the Georgia State Senate from 2003 to 2007. He is the first Republican since Reconstruction to be elected governor of Georgia who was not a former Democrat.
John Nathan Deal is an American politician and former lawyer who served as the 82nd governor of Georgia from 2011 to 2019. A Republican, he previously served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
George Ervin "Sonny" Perdue III is an American politician, veterinarian, and businessman who served as the 31st United States secretary of agriculture from 2017 to 2021. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as the 81st governor of Georgia from 2003 to 2011 and as a member of the Georgia State Senate from 1991 to 2002.
Roy Eugene Barnes is an American attorney and politician who served as the 80th governor of Georgia from 1999 to 2003. As of 2026, he is the most recent Democrat to serve as governor of Georgia.
Zell Bryan Miller was an American politician who served as the 79th governor of Georgia from 1991 to 1999 and as a United States senator representing the state from 2000 to 2005. He was a member of the Democratic Party and is the last Democrat as of 2026 to be elected twice as Governor of Georgia.
Joseph Franklin Harris is an American businessman and Democratic politician who served as the 78th governor of Georgia from 1983 to 1991.
George Dekle Busbee Sr. was an American politician who served as the 77th governor of Georgia from 1975 to 1983.
James Earl Carter Jr. was an American politician and humanitarian who served as the 39th president of the United States from 1977 to 1981. A member of the Democratic Party, Carter served as the 76th governor of Georgia from 1971 to 1975 and in the Georgia State Senate from 1963 to 1967. He lived longer than any other president in U.S. history, reaching age 100.
Lester Garfield Maddox Sr. was an American politician who served as the 75th governor of Georgia from 1967 to 1971.
Carl Edward Sanders Sr. was an American lawyer and politician who served as the 74th governor of Georgia from 1963 to 1967.