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Lieutenant Governor of Florida facts for kids

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Lieutenant Governor of Florida
Flag of Florida.svg
Seal of Florida.svg
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

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
1 William W. J. Kelly William W J Kelly.jpg December 20, 1865 July 4, 1868 Republican David S. Walker
2 William Henry Gleason William Henry Gleason.jpg July 7, 1868 December 14, 1868 Republican Harrison Reed
3 Edmund C. Weeks Edmund Cottle Weeks.jpg January 24, 1870 December 27, 1870 Republican
4 Samuel T. Day No image.svg January 3, 1871 June 3, 1872 Republican
5 Marcellus Stearns Florida Governor Marcellus Stearns.png January 7, 1873 March 18, 1874 Republican Ossian B. Hart Became governor when O. B. Hart passed away.
6 Noble A. Hull Noble A Hull.png January 2, 1877 March 3, 1879 Democratic George Franklin Drew Left office to become a U.S. Representative.
7 Livingston W. Bethel No image.svg January 4, 1881 January 7, 1885 Democratic William D. Bloxham
8 Milton H. Mabry Milton Mabry.jpg 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 Lt Gov Ray C. Osborne, Official Portrait.jpg January 7, 1969 January 5, 1971 Republican Claude R. Kirk, Jr.
10 Tom Adams Lt. Governor Tom Adams (cropped).jpg January 5, 1971 January 7, 1975 Democratic Reubin O'Donovan Askew
11 Jim Williams James Hunter Williams.jpg January 7, 1975 January 2, 1979 Democratic
12 Wayne Mixson John Wayne Mixson.jpg January 2, 1979 January 3, 1987 Democratic Bob Graham Became governor when Bob Graham resigned.
13 Bobby Brantley Lieutenant Governor Bobby Brantley.jpg January 6, 1987 January 8, 1991 Republican Bob Martinez
14 Buddy MacKay Buddy MacKay (official portrait).jpg January 8, 1991 December 12, 1998 Democratic Lawton Chiles Became governor when Lawton Chiles passed away.
15 Frank Brogan Lt Gov Frank Brogan.jpg January 5, 1999 March 3, 2003 Republican Jeb Bush Left office to become President of Florida Atlantic University.
16 Toni Jennings Toni Jennings2.jpg March 3, 2003 January 2, 2007 Republican Appointed to take Brogan's place.
17 Jeff Kottkamp Jeff Kottkamp.jpg January 2, 2007 January 4, 2011 Republican Charlie Crist
18 Jennifer Carroll Lt. Governor Jennifer Carroll.jpg January 4, 2011 March 12, 2013 Republican Rick Scott Resigned from office.
19 Carlos Lopez-Cantera Lt Gov Carlos Lopez-Cantera Portrait.jpg February 3, 2014 January 7, 2019 Republican Appointed to take Carroll's place.
20 Jeanette Nuñez Jeanette Nunez official photo.jpg January 8, 2019 February 16, 2025 Republican Ron DeSantis Left office to become President of Florida International University.

Images for kids

See also

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