Term Limits for Texas Governors
The concept of term limits dates back to the American Revolution and the framing of the Constitution. Most states have adopted terms limits for governor but Texas is among those that do not limit how many years the governor can hold office.
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History
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The office of governor has changed quite a bit since the state's first constitution was adopted in 1845. It established the governor would serve for two years, and no more than four years, out of every six, i.e., no more than two consecutive terms. After the Civil War, a new constitution was adopted which increased the terms to four years, and no more than eight, out of every 12 years. The constitution of 1869 removed the limits on the number of terms permitted. The current state constitution, adopted in 1876, shortened the terms to two years, but a 1972 amendment changed it back to four years.
19th and 20th Centuries
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Despite the lack of term limits, no Texas governor in the 19th or 20th century served more than 7½ consecutive years in office. Allan Shivers was governor from July 1949 to January 1957. William Clements was the only governor to serve eight years. He served from 1979 to 1983 and again from 1987 to 1991.
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Texas Today
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Current Texas Gov. Rick Perry was the state's lieutenant governor and took office in December 2000 following the election of then-governor George W. Bush as president. Perry has been the state’s longest-serving governor. He is seeking election in November 2010 to a third, full four-year term,
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