Why does Virginia have a one consecutive term rule for Governors?

[Polybius]

I get that most of you support term-limits (I don't, but I respect the opposite view), but one consecutive term only is ridiculous. Why not two or three? No other state does this for governors, it just strikes me as odd.

[Yonnie3]

1. I don't know why

I do believe it is in the state constitution from [edit] 1830 rather than 1788

[Polybius]

5. Whoa

I had no idea it was that old, I though it was a rule from around the 1980's.

[Yonnie3]

7. I could be wrong.

[Yonnie3]

8. Actually since 1830

Unlike other state governors, Virginia governors are not allowed to serve consecutive terms. They have been barred from immediate re-election since the adoption of Virginia's second constitution, in 1830. However, a former governor is permitted to run for a second term in a future election.

From Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governor_of_Virginia

[Deuxcents]

2. Because they could end up with a DeSantis

Like us

[Polybius]

3. It's the risk you have to take

They could also end up with a great Governor for two or three terms.

[hlthe2b]

4. Well, when it comes to Youngkin, I'm glad that they do.

But, yeah, generally I think two consecutive terms should be possible.

[FSogol]

6. Deleting some misinformation. Thanks for the corrections. N/t

Last edited Thu Mar 2, 2023, 08:39 PM - Edit history (1)

[Yonnie3]

9. Back then the house appointed the Governor for a year at a time.

[underpants]

12. Yep. As posted below.

Virginia's Governship is one of the most powerful in the country
The Governor is able to make hundreds of appointments which usually are completely approved by the General Assembly. Youngkin had at least one rejected which is rare.

[Yonnie3]

10. I found this ...

“It dates back to 1776,” he says. “There was a legacy of resentment of royal authority at the time of the American Revolution, and the way royal authority was exercised was through the office of the governor.”

Virginia’s founding constitution settled that resentment by creating a relatively weak governor’s office, and leaving the responsibility of choosing a governor to the General Assembly. From 1776 to 1830, governors served one-year terms, and could serve three terms in a row. In 1830, the General Assembly extended the term in office to three years, but without any chance for re-election.

https://wamu.org/story/17/09/28/single-virginia-governors-commonwealth-cant-stand-re-election-change/ in an article entitled Why Can Virginia Governors Only Serve One Term? And Should That Change?

[underpants]

11. Virginia's Governship is one of the most powerful in the country

The Governor is able to make hundreds of appointments which usually are completely approved by the General Assembly. Youngkin had at least one rejected which is rare.