Lieutenant Governor of Florida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lieutenant Governor of Florida |
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Incumbent
Vacant since February 16, 2025 |
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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.
Contents
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 | Image | Took office | Left office | Party | Governor | Notes |
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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 | ||
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 | 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 | 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. |
Images for kids
See also
- Florida
- Florida Constitution
- Florida Democratic Party
- Florida State Capitol
- List of governors of Florida
- List of current United States Lieutenant Governors
- Republican Party of Florida