Gray Davis was the head of a US state.
The Governor of California is the chief executive of the California state government , commander-in-chief of the California National Guard and the California State Military Reserve , whose responsibilities also include making annual State of the State addresses to the California State Legislature , submitting the budget , and ensuring that state laws are enforced . Joseph Graham `` Gray '' Davis , Jr. ( born December 26 , 1942 ) is a retired American politician and attorney who served as the 37th Governor of California from 1999 to 2003 . Prior to serving as governor , Davis was chief of staff to Governor Jerry Brown ( 1975 -- 81 ) , a California State Assemblyman ( 1983 -- 87 ) , California State Controller ( 1987 -- 95 ) and the 44th Lieutenant Governor of California ( 1995 -- 99 ) .