Who is the chief executive in a state?

The governor serves as the chief executive in a state, which means they are responsible for enforcing state laws and overseeing the executive branch of the state government. This role includes implementing policies, managing state agencies, and making crucial decisions regarding the state's budget and administration. As the head of the state government, the governor has powers that include appointing officials and the ability to veto legislation passed by the state's legislature.

In contrast, the mayor is the chief executive of a city, the president is the chief executive at the national level, and legislators are members of the legislative branch responsible for making laws rather than executing or enforcing them. Thus, the role and responsibilities of the governor make them distinctly the chief executive in the state context.