 The Governor of Maryland heads the executive branch of the government of Maryland , and is the commander @-@ in @-@ chief of the state 's National Guard units . The Governor is the highest @-@ ranking official in the state and has a broad range of appointive powers in both the State and local governments , as specified by the Maryland Constitution . Because of the extent of these constitutional powers , the Governor of Maryland has been ranked as being among the most powerful Governors in the United States . 
