The governor of Minnesota is the head of government of the state of Minnesota, leading the state's executive branch. Forty people have been governor of Minnesota, and previously three 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; territorial governors were appointed to the office by the United States president. The current governor of Minnesota is Tim Walz of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL), affiliated with the Democratic Party.

Powers and qualifications Similar to 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.

The governor of Minnesota must be 25 years old upon assuming office, and must have been a Minnesota resident for one year before the election.

Since a 1958 amendment to the Minnesota Constitution, governors are elected to four-year terms, with no limits on the number of terms they may serve.

Cabinet

The governor has a cabinet consisting of the leaders of various state departments. The governor appoints these department heads, who, other than the head of the Department of Military Affairs and the chairs of the Metropolitan Council and the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, are called commissioners. Cabinet members include:

CabinetOfficeIncumbentTerm beganCommissioner of AdministrationTamar GronvallOct. 9, 2023Governor Walz Selects Tamar Gronvall to Serve as Commissioner of Administration, 18 Sept, 2023 press release. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024Commissioner of AgricultureThom PetersenJan. 7, 2019Commissioner of Children, Youth and FamiliesTikki BrownJuly 1, 2024Alex Perez, Minnesota Names Tikki Brown its First Commissioner for Children, Youth and Families, 1 May 2024, The Imprint. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024Commissioner of CommerceGrace ArnoldSept. 11, 2020Minnesota Commerce Department, Leadership Team Accessed 8 Nov. 2024Commissioner of CorrectionsPaul SchnellJan. 7, 2019DOC Executive Leadership Team Accessed 8 Nov. 2024Commissioner of EducationWillie JettJan. 2, 2023Commissioner of Employment and Economic DevelopmentMatt VarilekJune 20, 2023Minnesota Dept. of Emplopyment and Economic Development, Matt Varilek. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024Commissioner of HealthBrooke CunninghamJan. 2, 2023Commissioner of the Minnesota Office of Higher EducationDennis OlsenJan. 7, 2019Commissioner of Minnesota Housing Finance AgencyJennifer Lemaile HoJan. 7, 2019Commissioner of Human RightsRebecca LuceroJan. 7, 2019 Commissioner of Human ServicesShireen Gandhi (interim)Feb. 2, 2025Commissioner of the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation BoardIda RukavinaJan. 2, 2023Commissioner and Chief Information Officer of MN.IT ServicesTarek TomesApril 16, 2019Commissioner of Labor and IndustryNicole BlissenbachJan. 2, 2023Commissioner of Management and BudgetErin CampbellAug.15, 2023Governor Walz Congratulates Departing Commissioner Jim Schowalter, Selects Deputy Commissioner Erin Campbell to Serve as Commissioner of Management and Budget , July 12, 2023 press releaseCommissioner of Minnesota Bureau of Mediation ServicesJohnny VillarealDec. 22, 2021Governor Walz Appoints Johnny Villarreal to be Commissioner of the Bureau of Mediation Services, Dec. 20, 2021 press release. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024Chairperson of the Metropolitan CouncilRobin HutchensonDec. 1, 2025Governor Walz Announces Robin Hutcheson as Metropolitan Council Chair. 4 Nov. 2025 press release. Accessed 8 Sep. 2026Adjutant GeneralMaj. Gen. Shawn P. MankeAug. 12, 2020Cambridge native named new leader of the Minnesota National Guard, 12 Aug. 2020. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.Commissioner of Natural ResourcesSarah StrommenJan. 7, 2019Commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control AgencyKatrina KesslerNov. 1, 2021Minnesota Pollution Control agency — Katrina Kessler, Commissioner. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024 Commissioner of Public SafetyBob JacobsonJan. 2, 2023Commissioner of RevenuePaul MarquartJan. 2, 2023Commissioner of TransportationNancy DaubenbergerJan. 7, 2019Alex Chhith, Gov. Tim Walz appoints Nancy Daubenberger new MnDOT commissioner , 23 May 2022, Minnesota Star Tribune, accessed 8 Nov. 2024Commissioner of Veterans AffairsBrad LindsaySept. 23, 2023Governor Walz Thanks Retiring Commissioner Herke, Opens Selection Process for Cabinet Vacancy, 12 Sept. 2023 press release. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024

Residence

The Minnesota Governor's Residence is located in Saint Paul, at 1006 Summit Avenue.

Succession

The line of succession for the Governor is established by Article V, Section 5 of the Minnesota Constitution and Minnesota Statute 4.06.

Traditions Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener The Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener is a tradition that dates back to 1948.2023 Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener May 12-13, 2023 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, viewed June 21, 2023 The event was designed to promote the development of Minnesota's recreation industry.Marshall, Brandon - Mankato to host 2023 Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener. Rochester KAAL ABC 6, August 8, 2022Mankato and Madison Lake hosting Governor’s 2023 Fishing Opener, without Gov. Walz. KARE 11, May 9, 2023 The Governor goes to a selected lake in Minnesota to fish on the opening weekend of the fishing season.Fishing in Minnesota Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Viewed June 21, 2023

Timeline Timeline of Minnesota governors

See also List of governors of Minnesota List of Minnesota gubernatorial elections 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

Notes

References

External links Governor's Cabinet Website of the governor and lieutenant governor Minnesota Constitution, Article V