American Governors 2016
The Young Elected Leaders Project (YELP) studies and works with young people who run for public office.
YELP research reveals that of the American governors currently serving, ten began their public careers as Young Elected Leaders. The youngest was Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, who was first elected to his state’s legislature at the age of 26. The majority of those who started their careers at age 35 or under are white males. The average age of American governors within the 50 States is 59.2.
Breakdown of American Governors
Party Affiliation – Of the current 50 governors, 15 (30%) are Democrats, 34 (68%) are Republicans and 1 (2%) is an Independent. Of the 10 Governors who began as YELs, 5 (50%) are Republicans, 4 (40%) are Democrats and 1 (10%) is an Independent.
Gender – There is currently 1 female governor who took up public office while a YEL.
Governors Who Started as Young Elected Leaders
| US Governor | State | Political Party | Current Age | First Elected Office | Age First Elected |
| Bill Walker | Alaska | Democrat | 63 years old | Valdez City Council | 26 years old |
| Jerry Brown | California | Democrat | 79 years old | California Secretary of State | 32 years old |
| David Ige | Hawaii | Democrat | 60 years old | Hawaii House of Representatives | 28 years old |
| Butch Otter | Idaho | Republican | 75 years old | Idaho House of Representatives | 30 years old |
| Brian Sandoval | Nevada | Republican | 54 years old | Nevada State Assembly | 31 years old |
| Chris Christie | New Jersey | Republican | 55 years old | Morris County Board of Freeholders | 32 years old |
| Roy Cooper III | North Carolina | Democrat | 60 years old | North Carolina House of Representatives | 30 years old |
| John Kasich | Ohio | Republican | 65 years old | Ohio State Senate | 26 years old |
| Kate Brown | Oregon | Democrat | 57 years old | Oregon House of Representatives | 31 years old |
| Scott Walker | Wisconsin | Republican | 49 years old | Wisconsin State Assembly | 26 years old |