Lieutenant Governor of Florida Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Lieutenant Governor of Florida
Flag of the State of Florida
Seal of the State of Florida
Incumbent Vacant since February 16, 2025
Florida Executive Branch
Member of	Florida Executive Branch Florida Cabinet
Residence	None official
Seat	Tallahassee, Florida
Appointer	Direct election
Term length	Four years, renewable once consecutively
Constituting instrument	Constitution of Florida
Inaugural holder	William W. J. Kelly
Formation	1865
Succession	First (gubernatorial line of succession)
Salary	$125,000 (per year)

The lieutenant governor of Florida is an important job in the government of the U.S. state of Florida. It's the second-highest position in the state. The lieutenant governor is chosen along with the governor when people vote, and they serve for four years.

The main jobs of the lieutenant governor, as set by the Florida Constitution, include stepping in for the governor if the governor is out of the state or unable to do their job. They also become governor if the governor leaves office due to death, resignation, or removal.

The position is currently empty. Jeanette Nuñez was the last lieutenant governor. She resigned on February 16, 2025, to become the Interim President of Florida International University.

History of the Lieutenant Governor Role
- First Period: 1865 to 1889
- Second Period: 1969 to Today
List of Florida's Lieutenant Governors
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See also

History of the Lieutenant Governor Role

The job of lieutenant governor has been part of Florida's government two different times.

First Period: 1865 to 1889

The first time this role existed was from 1865, right after the American Civil War. During this period, the lieutenant governor was chosen in a separate election from the governor. Besides being next in line to become governor, the lieutenant governor also led the Florida Senate. They could vote if there was a tie in the Senate.

William W. J. Kelly was the first person to be elected lieutenant governor. This position was created by Florida's 1865 Constitution. The job was officially removed by the 1885 Constitution, which was written after the Reconstruction period. The last lieutenant governor from this first period was Milton H. Mabry, who finished his term in 1889. After this, the leader of the Senate, who was an elected senator, became the first person in line to take over for the governor.

Second Period: 1969 to Today

The current Florida Constitution, written in 1968, brought back the office of lieutenant governor. Now, the lieutenant governor is elected directly with the governor as their running mate. This means they run for office together.

The lieutenant governor is still the first in line to become governor. However, the leader of the Senate is still an elected senator. The lieutenant governor has a few specific duties and helps the governor with their work in the state government. Ray C. Osborne was the first lieutenant governor under the current Constitution, starting in 1969.

The state constitution also says that no one can be elected lieutenant governor more than two times.

List of Florida's Lieutenant Governors

Here is a list of the people who have served as Florida's lieutenant governor.

Parties

No party Democratic (7) Republican (13)

No.	Name	Took office	Left office	Party	Governor	Notes
1	William W. J. Kelly	December 20, 1865	July 4, 1868	Republican	David S. Walker
2	William Henry Gleason	July 7, 1868	December 14, 1868	Republican	Harrison Reed
3	Edmund C. Weeks	January 24, 1870	December 27, 1870	Republican
4	Samuel T. Day	January 3, 1871	June 3, 1872	Republican
5	Marcellus Stearns	January 7, 1873	March 18, 1874	Republican	Ossian B. Hart	Became governor when O. B. Hart passed away.
6	Noble A. Hull	January 2, 1877	March 3, 1879	Democratic	George Franklin Drew	Left office to become a U.S. Representative.
7	Livingston W. Bethel	January 4, 1881	January 7, 1885	Democratic	William D. Bloxham
8	Milton H. Mabry	January 7, 1885	January 8, 1889	Democratic	Edward A. Perry
The job of Lieutenant Governor of Florida was removed in 1889. It was brought back in 1969 after a change to the state constitution in 1968.
9	Ray C. Osborne	January 7, 1969	January 5, 1971	Republican	Claude R. Kirk, Jr.
10	Tom Adams	January 5, 1971	January 7, 1975	Democratic	Reubin O'Donovan Askew
11	Jim Williams	January 7, 1975	January 2, 1979	Democratic	Reubin O'Donovan Askew
12	Wayne Mixson	January 2, 1979	January 3, 1987	Democratic	Bob Graham	Became governor when Bob Graham resigned.
13	Bobby Brantley	January 6, 1987	January 8, 1991	Republican	Bob Martinez
14	Buddy MacKay	January 8, 1991	December 12, 1998	Democratic	Lawton Chiles	Became governor when Lawton Chiles passed away.
15	Frank Brogan	January 5, 1999	March 3, 2003	Republican	Jeb Bush	Left office to become President of Florida Atlantic University.
16	Toni Jennings	March 3, 2003	January 2, 2007	Republican	Jeb Bush	Appointed to take Brogan's place.
17	Jeff Kottkamp	January 2, 2007	January 4, 2011	Republican	Charlie Crist
18	Jennifer Carroll	January 4, 2011	March 12, 2013	Republican	Rick Scott	Resigned from office.
19	Carlos Lopez-Cantera	February 3, 2014	January 7, 2019	Republican	Rick Scott	Appointed to take Carroll's place.
20	Jeanette Nuñez	January 8, 2019	February 16, 2025	Republican	Ron DeSantis	Left office to become President of Florida International University.