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Lieutenant Governor of the State of Michigan
Incumbent Garlin Gilchrist since January 1, 2019
Appointer	Popularly Elected With the Governor
Term length	4 Years
Inaugural holder	Edward Mundy
Formation	January 26, 1837
Website	michigan.gov/ltgov

The Lieutenant Governor of Michigan is the second-ranking official in U.S. state of Michigan, behind the governor. The holder of this office is afforded the courtesy title of the Honorable for life.

The current lieutenant governor is Garlin Gilchrist, a Democrat, who has held the office since January 1, 2019.

Process

In Michigan, the governor and lieutenant governor are elected as a ticket to serve a term of four years. The election takes place two years after each presidential election; thus, the next election will take place in November 2022.

Nomination

Following the August primary election in each gubernatorial election year, the state's two largest political parties convene a state convention and nominate candidates for lieutenant governor, secretary of state and attorney general, among other offices. Because the governor and lieutenant governor are elected as a ticket, the party's gubernatorial nominee usually makes the de facto decision as to whom the party will nominate for lieutenant governor, then convention delegates officially confirm the designation.

Historically, the governor and lieutenant governor were elected separately, leading to occasions where Republicans controlled one office and the Democrats another (as with George Romney and T. John Lesinski). This changed with the Michigan Constitution of 1963.

Election and inauguration

After the November general election, the governor and lieutenant governor take office on January 1. Thus, the winners of the 2018 election began their term on January 1, 2019.

Term limits

Like the governor, the lieutenant governor is allowed to serve up to two terms in office.

Duties

There are three main duties assigned to the lieutenant governor:

• to serve as acting governor while the governor is out of state;


• to become governor in the event that the governor is unable to serve due to death, illness or incapacitation; and


• to preside over the Michigan Senate.

These days, the lieutenant governor also acts as an assistant to the governor. When the governor is unable to attend a function, for instance, the lieutenant governor may be sent in place of the governor. The lieutenant governor will also occasionally head blue-ribbon commissions into pressing public policy issues.

List of lieutenant governors

Parties

  Democratic (18)
  Republican (43)
  Whig (3)

Living former Lieutenant Governors

As of January 2019^[update], there are four former lieutenant governors who are currently living, the oldest being William G. Milliken (served 1965–1969, born 1922). The most recent death of a former lieutenant governor of Michigan was that of Connie Binsfeld (served 1991–1999, born 1924), on January 12, 2014.

Notes

Source: Michigan Manual 2003-2004, Chapter IV, Former Officials of Michigan

External links

• Office of the Lieutenant Governor


• Lt. Governor’s Commission on Higher Education & Economic Growth