Lieutenant Governor of Florida

Second-highest executive officer of Florida, US From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The lieutenant governor of Florida is a statewide constitutional office in the executive branch of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the second highest-ranking official in the state government. The lieutenant governor is elected on a ticket with the governor for a four-year term.

Quick Facts Member of, Residence ...
Lieutenant Governor of Florida
Thumb
Thumb
Incumbent
Vacant
since February 16, 2025
Government of Florida
Member ofFlorida Executive Branch
Florida Cabinet
ResidenceNone official
SeatTallahassee, Florida
AppointerDirect election
Term lengthFour years, renewable once consecutively
Constituting instrumentConstitution of Florida
Inaugural holderWilliam W. J. Kelly
Formation1865
SuccessionFirst
(gubernatorial line of succession)
Salary$125,000 (per year)
WebsiteLieutenant Governor Nuñez
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Official duties dictated to the lieutenant governor under the present Florida Constitution are to serve as the acting governor in the absence of the governor from the state or the disability of the governor, or to become governor in the event of the governor's death, resignation or removal from office via impeachment.

The office is currently vacant after Jeanette Nuñez resigned on February 16, 2025 to become Interim President of Florida International University.[1]

History

Summarize
Perspective

The position of lieutenant governor has been used in Florida's government twice in the state's history. The first period spanned from 1865, after the American Civil War, through 1889.[2] During this time, the lieutenant governor was elected independently of the governor. In addition to being first in succession to the governor, the lieutenant governor was the ex officio president of the Florida Senate, and could cast a vote in the case of a tie.[2] William W. J. Kelly was the first person elected lieutenant governor after the position was created by the 1865 Constitution of Florida. The position was officially abolished by the post-Reconstruction Constitution of 1885, with the last lieutenant governor, Milton H. Mabry, serving out his term until 1889.[3] After this point the office of President of the Senate was given to an elected member of the Senate, who also served as first in line of succession to the governor.

The current Florida Constitution of 1968 recreated the office of lieutenant governor who is now elected directly along with the governor as a running mate. The lieutenant governor serves as first in the line of succession, but the office of President of the Senate remains with an elected senator. The lieutenant governor has a few prescribed duties and otherwise assists the governor with the duties of the executive branch.[3] The first lieutenant governor under the current Constitution was Ray C. Osborne, who took office in 1969.

The state constitution also forbids anyone from being elected lieutenant governor more than twice.

List of lieutenant governors

Parties

  No party   Democratic (7)   Republican (13)

More information No., Name ...
No.NameImageTook officeLeft officePartyGovernorNotes
1 William W. J. Kelly Thumb December 20, 1865 July 4, 1868 Republican David S. Walker
2 William Henry Gleason Thumb July 7, 1868 December 14, 1868 Republican Harrison Reed
3 Edmund C. Weeks Thumb January 24, 1870 December 27, 1870 Republican
4 Samuel T. Day Thumb January 3, 1871 June 3, 1872 Republican[4]
5 Marcellus Stearns Thumb January 7, 1873 March 18, 1874 Republican Ossian B. Hart Became governor upon the death of O. B. Hart
6 Noble A. Hull Thumb January 2, 1877 March 3, 1879 Democratic George Franklin Drew Resigned to become a U.S. Representative
7 Livingston W. Bethel Thumb January 4, 1881 January 7, 1885 Democratic William D. Bloxham
8 Milton H. Mabry Thumb January 7, 1885 January 8, 1889 Democratic Edward A. Perry
The position of Lieutenant Governor of Florida was abolished in 1889 in the Constitution of 1885. It was reestablished in 1969 following a constitutional amendment in 1968.
9 Ray C. Osborne Thumb January 7, 1969 January 5, 1971 Republican Claude R. Kirk, Jr.
10 Tom Adams Thumb January 5, 1971 January 7, 1975 Democratic Reubin O'Donovan Askew
11 Jim Williams Thumb January 7, 1975 January 2, 1979 Democratic
12 Wayne Mixson Thumb January 2, 1979 January 3, 1987 Democratic Bob Graham Became governor upon the resignation of Bob Graham
13 Bobby Brantley Thumb January 6, 1987 January 8, 1991 Republican Bob Martinez
14 Buddy MacKay Thumb January 8, 1991 December 12, 1998 Democratic Lawton Chiles Became governor upon the death of Lawton Chiles
15 Frank Brogan Thumb January 5, 1999 March 3, 2003 Republican Jeb Bush Resigned to become President of Florida Atlantic University
16 Toni Jennings Thumb March 3, 2003 January 2, 2007 Republican Appointed to replace Brogan
17 Jeff Kottkamp Thumb January 2, 2007 January 4, 2011 Republican Charlie Crist
18 Jennifer Carroll Thumb January 4, 2011 March 12, 2013 Republican Rick Scott Resigned
19 Carlos Lopez-Cantera Thumb February 3, 2014 January 7, 2019 Republican Appointed to replace Carroll
20 Jeanette Nuñez Thumb January 8, 2019 February 16, 2025 Republican Ron DeSantis Resigned to become President of Florida International University
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List of acting lieutenant governors

Parties

  No party   Democratic (7)   Republican (13)

More information No., acting Lt. governor ...
No.acting Lt. governorImageTook officeLeft officePartyappointed(s) served undernote
Milton H. Mabry Thumb 8 January 1889 8 January 1893 Democratic Governor of Florida
Milton Albert Watson[dubious discuss][citation needed] Thumb 8 January 1893 4 January 1925[dubious discuss][citation needed] Democratic Governor of Florida
1 Marcellus Mikeson Thumb 4 January 1925 18 March 1925 No Party Governor of Florida
2 N.A. Hull Thumb 4 January 1925 3 March 1927 Democratic Governor of Florida
3 Livingston W. Beth Thumb 4 January 1925 7 January 1929 Democratic Governor of Florida
4 Milton H. Haris Thumb 7 January 1929 8 January 1933 Democratic President of United States
5 A.J. Thompson Thumb 8 January 1933 7 January 1945 No Party President of United States
6 Nathan Mayo Thumb 8 January 1933 7 January 1945 Democratic President of United States
7 Nathan Thompson Thumb 7 January 1945 7 January 1961 Democratic President of United States
8 Lee Thompson Thumb 7 January 1961 7 January 1967 No Party President of United States
9 Ray C. Osborne Thumb 7 January 1967 7 January 1969 Republican President of United States Position abolished
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See also

References

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