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Lieutenant Governor of Michigan facts for kids

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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
Succession First
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 the second most important official in the U.S. state of Michigan. This person works closely with the governor.

The current lieutenant governor is Garlin Gilchrist, who is a Democrat. He has held this job 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 for a four-year term. The election happens two years after every presidential election. So, the next election will be in November 2026.

Getting Nominated

After the August primary election each time there's a governor's election, the two biggest political parties in Michigan hold a special meeting called a state convention. At this meeting, they pick candidates for lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and attorney general, among other jobs.

Because the governor and lieutenant governor are elected as a team, the person running for governor usually decides who they want as their lieutenant governor. Then, the people at the convention officially agree with that choice.

A long time ago, the governor and lieutenant governor were elected separately. This sometimes meant that one party, like the Republicans, might control one office, and the Democrats might control the other. But this changed with Michigan's Constitution in 1963.

Election Day and Starting the Job

After the main election in November, the governor and lieutenant governor start their terms on January 1. For example, the winners of the 2022 election began their jobs on January 1, 2023.

How Many Terms Can They Serve?

Just like the governor, the lieutenant governor can serve up to two terms in office. A term is four years long.

What the Lieutenant Governor Does

The lieutenant governor has three main jobs:

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

Today, the lieutenant governor also helps the governor a lot. If the governor can't go to an event, the lieutenant governor might go instead. They also sometimes lead special groups that study important public policy issues.

History of the Office

The office of Lieutenant Governor of Michigan was created on January 26, 1837. The first person to hold this important role was Edward Mundy.

Images for kids

  • Edward Mundy

    Edward Mundy, the first Lieutenant Governor

  • 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

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