This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Minnesota
The Governor of Minnesota is the chief executive of the U.S. state of Minnesota, leading the state's executive branch. Thirty-eight different people have been governors of the state, though historically there were also three governors of Minnesota Territory. Alexander Ramsey, the first territorial governor, also served as state governor several years later. State governors are elected to office by popular vote, but territorial governors were appointed to the office by the United States president. The current governor of Minnesota is Tim Pawlenty.
Like the U.S. President, the governor has veto power over bills passed by the Minnesota State Legislature. As in most states, but unlike the U.S. President, the governor can also make line-item vetoes, where specific provisions in bills can be stripped out while allowing the overall bill to be signed into law.
Since a 1958 amendment to the Minnesota Constitution governors are elected to four-year terms. Previously, they served two-year terms. The governor has a cabinet consisting of the leaders of various state departments. The governor appoints these department heads, who are usually called commissioners. Cabinet-level departments include:
The governor's residence is located in Saint Paul, at 1006 Summit Avenue.

State government
Governor - Tim Pawlenty

• Lieutenant Governor - Carol Molnau
  Attorney General - Lori Swanson
  Secretary of State - Mark Ritchie
  State Auditor - Rebecca Otto
  State Treasurer - 1858-2003
  State Cabinet
  Legislature
  
  
  
  • Senate
    
    
    
    • President of the Senate - James Metzen
      Majority Leader - Lawrence Pogemiller
      Minority Leader - David Senjem
      House of Representatives
      
      
      
      • Speaker - Margaret Anderson Kelliher
        Majority Leader - Anthony Sertich
        Minority Leader - Marty Seifert
        Court System
        
        
        
        • Supreme Court
          District Courts
          Court of Appeals
          Specialty Courts
          Political Parties
          
          
          
          • Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
            Republican Party
            Green Party
            Independence Party
            List of political parties in Minnesota
            National minor parties
            Counties
            Federal government
            
            
            
            • United States Senate
              
              
              
              • Amy Klobuchar (D)
                Norm Coleman (R)
                United States House
                
                
                
                • Tim Walz (D)
                  John Kline (R)
                  Jim Ramstad (R)
                  Betty McCollum (D)
                  Keith Ellison (D)
                  Michele Bachmann (R)
                  Collin Peterson (D)
                  Jim Oberstar (D)
                  Department of Administration
                  Department of Agriculture
                  Department of Commerce
                  Department of Corrections
                  Department of Education
                  Department of Employee Relations
                  Department of Employment and Economic Development
                  Department of Finance
                  Department of Health
                  Department of Human Rights
                  Department of Human Services
                  Iron Range Resources (Also known as the IRRB [pronounced "eye-triple-r-b"])
                  Department of Labor and Industry
                  Bureau of Mediation Services
                  Metropolitan Council
                  Department of Military Affairs
                  Minnesota Higher Education Services Office
                  Minnesota Housing Finance Agency
                  Department of Natural Resources
                  Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
                  Department of Public Safety
                  Department of Revenue
                  Department of Transportation
                  Department of Veterans Affairs See also
                  
                  List of Governors of Minnesota
                  List of Minnesota gubernatorial elections
                  Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
                  List of Lieutenant Governors of Minnesota
                  Minnesota Secretary of State
                  Minnesota Attorney General
                  Minnesota State Auditor
                  Minnesota State Treasurer (office abolished January 6, 2003)
                  Politics of Minnesota