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List of lieutenant governors of Rhode Island facts for kids

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Seal of the Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island
Seal of the lieutenant governor

The lieutenant governor of Rhode Island is an important leader in the state government. They are like a second-in-command to the governor of Rhode Island. The person holding this job right now is Sabina Matos. She became lieutenant governor on April 14, 2021, after Daniel McKee became the governor. The very first lieutenant governor was George Brown.

In Rhode Island, the lieutenant governor and the governor are chosen in separate elections. This means people vote for them independently, unlike in some other states where they run together as a team.

Seven lieutenant governors have stepped in as governor when the governor's office became empty. This happened under the state's current constitution, which was adopted in 1842.

What is a Lieutenant Governor?

The lieutenant governor is a key part of Rhode Island's government. Their main job is to be ready to take over as governor if the current governor cannot do their job. This could happen if the governor resigns, becomes unable to serve, or passes away.

The lieutenant governor also has other duties. They often lead certain state committees or councils. They might also represent the state at different events. It's a busy role that helps keep the state running smoothly.

History of the Lieutenant Governor's Role

The role of a second-in-command has been around in Rhode Island for a very long time. Even when Rhode Island was a colony, there was a "Deputy Governor." This person helped the main governor.

The Royal Charter, which was like the colony's rulebook, was paused for a few years between 1686 and 1689. But the role of Deputy Governor returned afterward. William Bradford was the last Deputy Governor of the colony and the first for the new state.

The official title changed from "Deputy Governor" to "Lieutenant Governor" in 1798. This new title has been used ever since. When Rhode Island adopted its current constitution in 1843, the duties of the lieutenant governor became even clearer.

Lieutenant Governors Since 1843

Since the 1843 constitution, many people have served as lieutenant governor. They have worked with different governors and helped lead the state. Some notable lieutenant governors include Byron Diman, who was the first under the new constitution, and John O. Pastore, who later became a U.S. Senator.

The lieutenant governor's office is important for making sure there's always someone ready to lead Rhode Island.

Unusual Election Stories

Sometimes, elections for lieutenant governor can have interesting stories. For example, during the 2010 elections, a candidate named Bob Healey ran for lieutenant governor. He was part of the Cool Moose Party. His main idea was to try and get rid of the lieutenant governor's office entirely! This shows how different ideas can come up in elections.

Images for kids

  • John Clarke picture

    John Clarke, Deputy Governor (1669–70, 1671–72)

  • William Bradford (1755-1795)

    William Bradford, last deputy governor of the colony and first deputy governor of the state

  • John Singleton Coply, "Jabez Bowen," oil on canvas, 30 x 25 in

    Jabez Bowen, Deputy Governor (1778–1780, 1781–1786)

  • Isaac Wilbour (Rhode Island Governor) 2

    Isaac Wilbour, Lieutenant Governor (1806–1807, 1810–1811)

  • ByronDiman

    Byron Diman, Lieutenant Governor (1840–1842, 1843–1846)

  • RI Governor Elisha Harris

    Elisha Harris, Lieutenant Governor (1846–1847)

  • William Lawrence by J Cochran c 1820

    William Beach Lawrence, Lieutenant Governor (1851–1852)

  • SGArnold

    Samuel G. Arnold, Lieutenant Governor (1852–1853, 1861–1862)

  • FrancisDimond

    Francis M. Dimond, Lieutenant Governor (1853–1854)

  • Nicholas Brown III

    Nicholas Brown III, Lieutenant Governor (1856–1857)

  • GovThomasGTurnerRI

    Thomas G. Turner, Lieutenant Governor (1857–1859)

  • J Russell Bullock

    J. Russell Bullock, Lieutenant Governor (1860–1861)

  • SethPadelford

    Seth Padelford, Lieutenant Governor (1863–1865)

  • William Greene Lt Gov

    William Greene, Lieutenant Governor (1866–1868)

  • CharlesVanZandt

    Charles C. Van Zandt, Lieutenant Governor (1873–1875)

  • Henry Tillinghast Sisson photo

    Henry Tillinghast Sisson, Lieutenant Governor (1875–1877)

  • Lt Gov Lucius B. Darling

    Lucius B. Darling, Lieutenant Governor (1885–1887)

  • RI Lt Gov Daniel Greene Littlefield 1822-1891

    Daniel Littlefield, Lieutenant Governor (1889–1890)

  • RI Lt Gov Henry A Stearns

    Henry A. Stearns, Lieutenant Governor (1891–1892)

  • Melville Bull (Rhode Island Congressman)

    Melville Bull, Lieutenant Governor (1892–1894)

  • Edwin Robinson Allen (1840–1931)

    Edwin Allen, Lieutenant Governor (1894–1897)

  • POTHIER, ARAM J. GOVERNOR LCCN2016857555

    Aram J. Pothier, Lieutenant Governor (1897–1898)

  • GovWilliamGregoryRI

    William Gregory, Lieutenant Governor (1898–1900)

  • CharlesKimball

    Charles D. Kimball, Lieutenant Governor (1900–1901)

  • Portrait bust, name illegible LCCN2014681090

    George H. Utter, Lieutenant Governor (1904–1905)

  • Arthur W. Dennis RI House Speaker

    Arthur W. Dennis, Lieutenant Governor (1909–1910)

  • EmerySanSouci

    Emery J. San Souci, Lieutenant Governor (1915–1921)

  • Felix A. Toupin Rhode Island

    Felix A. Toupin, Lieutenant Governor (1923–1925)

  • RI Governor Norman Stanley Case

    Norman S. Case, Lieutenant Governor (1927–1928)

  • James G. Connolly (8411825409)

    James G. Connolly, Lieutenant Governor (1929–1933)

  • RI Governor Robert E Quinn

    Robert E. Quinn, Lieutenant Governor (1933–1937)

  • John Pastore (RI)

    John O. Pastore, Lieutenant Governor (1945)

  • RI Governor John S. McKiernan

    John S. McKiernan, Lieutenant Governor (1945–1957)

  • John Notte (1961)

    John A. Notte, Jr., Lieutenant Governor (1959–1961)

  • Edward P. Gallogly

    Edward P. Gallogly, Lieutenant Governor (1961–1965)

  • J. Joseph Garrahy, Rhode Island Governor (cropped)

    J. Joseph Garrahy, Lieutenant Governor (1969–1977)

  • Bob Weygand

    Robert Weygand, Lieutenant Governor (1993–1997)

  • Elizabeth Roberts 2009

    Elizabeth H. Roberts, Lieutenant Governor (2007–2015)

  • Lt. Gov. McKee on Coast Guard Auxiliary Day (cropped)

    Daniel McKee, Lieutenant Governor (2015–2021)

  • Sabina Matos 11.21

    Sabina Matos, Lieutenant Governor (2021–present)

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List of lieutenant governors of Rhode Island Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.