kids encyclopedia robot

Lieutenant Governor of Michigan facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Lieutenant Governor of the State of Michigan
Seal of Michigan.svg
Great Seal of the State of Michigan
Garlin Gilchrist in Grand Rapids.jpg
Incumbent
Garlin Gilchrist
since January 1, 2019
Government of Michigan
Appointer Popularly Elected With the Governor
Term length 4 Years, renewable once
Inaugural holder Edward Mundy
Formation January 26, 1837
Website michigan.gov/ltgov
President of Senate of the State of Michigan
Incumbent
Garlin Gilchrist
since January 1, 2019
Appointer ex officio
Term length 4 Years
Inaugural holder Edward Mundy
Formation January 26, 1837
Website michigan.gov/ltgov

The lieutenant governor of Michigan is an important leader in the U.S. state of Michigan. This person is the second-highest official in the state, right after the governor.

The current lieutenant governor is Garlin Gilchrist. He is a member of the Democratic Party and has been in office since January 1, 2019.

How the Lieutenant Governor is Chosen

In Michigan, the governor and lieutenant governor are chosen together. They run as a team, called a "ticket," for a four-year term. The election happens every four years, two years after the U.S. presidential election. For example, the next election will be in November 2026.

Getting Nominated

After the August primary election, the two biggest political parties in Michigan hold special meetings called state conventions. At these meetings, they choose their candidates for lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and attorney general, along with other positions.

Since the governor and lieutenant governor are elected as a team, the person running for governor usually picks who they want as their lieutenant governor. Then, the people at the convention officially agree to this choice.

In the past, the governor and lieutenant governor were elected separately. This sometimes meant that a Republican governor might have a Democratic lieutenant governor, or vice versa. But this changed with Michigan's Constitution in 1963. Now, they always run and are elected together.

Election Day and Starting the Job

After the main election in November, the governor and lieutenant governor officially start their jobs on January 1. So, if they win the election in November 2022, they would begin their term on January 1, 2023.

How Long They Can Serve

Just like the governor, the lieutenant governor can serve up to two terms in office. Each term lasts four years.

What the Lieutenant Governor Does

The lieutenant governor has three main jobs:

  • To act as governor when the governor is out of the state.
  • To become governor if the governor cannot do their job because of death, illness, or other reasons.
  • To lead meetings in the Michigan Senate.

Today, the lieutenant governor also works closely with the governor as an assistant. For example, if the governor cannot attend an event, the lieutenant governor might go instead. They also sometimes lead special groups called "blue-ribbon commissions." These groups study important public policy issues and suggest solutions.

Images for kids

  • Edward Mundy

    Edward Mundy, the first Lieutenant Governor of Michigan.

  • J Wright Gordon

    James Wright Gordon

  • No image

    Thomas J. Drake

  • Origen D. Richardson

    Origen D. Richardson

  • William Greenly

    William L. Greenly

  • No image

    Charles P. Bush

  • William M. Fenton

    William M. Fenton

  • No image

    Calvin Britain

  • Andrew parsons

    Andrew Parsons

  • No image

    George Griswold

  • No image

    George Coe

  • Edmund Burke Fairfield

    Edmund Burke Fairfield

  • James Birney (Michigan Lieutenant Governor)

    James M. Birney

  • Joseph R. Williams

    Joseph R. Williams

  • Henry Titus Backus

    Henry T. Backus

  • Charles S. May

    Charles S. May

  • Ebenezer Oliver Grosvenor portrait

    Ebenezer O. Grosvenor

  • Dwight May

    Dwight May

  • Morgan Bates

    Morgan Bates

  • Henry H. Holt

    Henry H. Holt

  • Alonzo Sessions

    Alonzo Sessions

  • No image

    Moreau S. Crosby

  • Archibald Buttars

    Archibald Buttars

  • James H. MacDonald

    James H. MacDonald

  • Michigan Lieutenant Governor William Ball

    William Ball

  • John Strong Michigan

    John Strong

  • J. Wight Giddings

    J. Wight Giddings

  • Alfred Milnes - Livingstone

    Alfred Milnes

  • Joseph R. McLaughlin

    Joseph R. McLaughlin

  • Thomas B. Dunstan

    Thomas B. Dunstan

  • Orrin W. Robinson

    Orrin W. Robinson

  • Alexander Maitland LG

    Alexander Maitland

  • PatrickHKelley

    Patrick H. Kelley

  • John Q. Ross 2

    John Q. Ross

  • Luren D. Dickinson

    Luren Dickinson

  • Thomas Read Politician

    Thomas Read

  • George W. Welsh

    George W. Welsh

  • Luren D. Dickinson

    Luren Dickinson

  • Allen E. Stebbins

    Allen E. Stebbins

  • Thomas Read Politician

    Thomas Read

  • Leo J. Nowicki

    Leo J. Nowicki

  • Luren D. Dickinson

    Luren Dickinson

  • Matildadodge

    Matilda Dodge Wilson

  • Lieutenant Governor Frank Murphy

    Frank Murphy

  • Eugene C. Keyes

    Eugene C. Keyes

  • Vernon J. Brown

    Vernon J. Brown

  • Eugene C. Keyes

    Eugene C. Keyes

  • John W. Connolly

    John W. Connolly

  • William C. Vandenberg

    William C. Vandenberg

  • Clarence A. Reid

    Clarence A. Reid

  • Philip Hart 1965

    Philip Hart

  • John Swainson (1961 portrait)

    John Swainson

  • T. John Lesinski

    T. John Lesinski

  • William Milliken 1969

    William G. Milliken

  • Thomas F. Schweigert

    Thomas F. Schweigert

  • James H. Brickley

    James H. Brickley

  • James Damman

    James Damman

  • James H. Brickley

    James H. Brickley

  • Martha Wright Griffiths

    Martha Griffiths

  • Connie Binsfeld

    Connie Binsfeld

  • Dick Posthumus (cropped)

    Dick Posthumus

  • JohnDCherryMichigan

    John D. Cherry

  • Michigan Lt. Governor Brian Calley in Detroit 2016

    Brian Calley

  • 8R4A9159 (53359280492) (Garlin Gilchrist 2)

    Garlin Gilchrist

kids search engine
All content from Kiddle encyclopedia articles (including the article images and facts) can be freely used under Attribution-ShareAlike license, unless stated otherwise. Cite this article:
Lieutenant Governor of Michigan Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.