Who is the Lieutenant Governor of Florida?
The Lieutenant Governor of Florida is a constitutional officer in the U.S. state of Florida who serves as the second-highest executive official in the state government. The Lieutenant Governor is elected simultaneously with the Governor of Florida and serves a four-year term.
Current Lieutenant Governor
The current Lieutenant Governor of Florida is Jeannette Nuñez, who was elected in 2018 and took office on January 8, 2019. Nuñez is a Republican and the first Hispanic woman to hold the office.
Duties and Responsibilities
As the second-highest executive official in the state government, the Lieutenant Governor plays a crucial role in the administration of state government. Some of the key duties and responsibilities of the Lieutenant Governor include:
- Presiding over the Florida Senate
- Presiding over the Florida Cabinet
- Serving as the Governor’s representative in the event the Governor is unable to serve
- Providing support and advice to the Governor on various state and national issues
- Scheduling legislative meetings and proceedings
- Appointing members to various state boards and commissions
History of the Office
The office of the Lieutenant Governor of Florida was established in 1845, when Florida was admitted to the United States as the 27th state. Prior to 1845, the Lieutenant Governor was the President of the Council of Florida, which was the upper house of the Florida Territorial Legislature.
Qualifications and Eligibility
To be eligible to serve as the Lieutenant Governor of Florida, a person must:
- Be at least 30 years old
- Be a citizen of the United States
- Be a resident of Florida for at least three years prior to the election
- Not have been removed from office by impeachment or conviction of treason, felony, or bribery
Election and Term
The Lieutenant Governor of Florida is elected by the voters of Florida in a statewide election. The Lieutenant Governor serves a four-year term, which is concurrent with the term of the Governor. The Lieutenant Governor may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms.
Salaries and Benefits
The Lieutenant Governor of Florida is paid a salary of $143,850 per year, which is the same as the salary of the Governor. The Lieutenant Governor also receives a range of benefits, including:
- A $5,000 annual expense account
- A $2,500 annual travel allowance
- Use of the Governor’s Mansion
- Access to the state’s official plane and motorcade
List of Previous Lieutenant Governors
Here is a list of the previous Lieutenant Governors of Florida:
| Name | Term | Party |
|---|---|---|
| James C. Tappan | 1845-1849 | Democratic |
| Richard K. Call | 1849-1853 | Democratic |
| Madison S. Perry | 1853-1857 | Democratic |
| David S. Walker | 1857-1861 | Democratic |
| William W. Simpson | 1861-1865 | Republican |
| William H. Gleason | 1865-1867 | Republican |
| Harrison Reed | 1867-1869 | Republican |
| Samuel T. Johns | 1869-1873 | Democratic |
| Noble A. Hull | 1873-1877 | Democratic |
| William D. Bloxham | 1877-1881 | Democratic |
| Charles W. Jones | 1881-1885 | Democratic |
| Francis P. Fleming | 1885-1889 | Democratic |
| William D. Bloxham | 1889-1893 | Democratic |
| Albert W. Gilchrist | 1893-1897 | Democratic |
| William S. Jennings | 1897-1901 | Democratic |
| James T. Bussey | 1901-1905 | Democratic |
| Park Trammell | 1905-1909 | Democratic |
| David S. Walker | 1909-1913 | Democratic |
| Edmund N. Dickinson | 1913-1917 | Democratic |
| Carlton J. Allen | 1917-1921 | Republican |
| Cary A. Cooper | 1921-1925 | Democratic |
| James A. Johnston | 1925-1929 | Democratic |
| Philip L. Mays | 1929-1933 | Democratic |
| Nathan P. Bryan | 1933-1937 | Democratic |
| Frederick H. Davis | 1937-1941 | Democratic |
| W.D. Bloxham | 1941-1945 | Democratic |
| Haydon Burns | 1945-1949 | Democratic |
| Charley Eugene Johns | 1949-1953 | Democratic |
| Clovis E. Holman | 1953-1957 | Democratic |
| Walter E. George | 1957-1961 | Democratic |
| Ray C. Osborne | 1961-1965 | Democratic |
| Floyd T. Christian | 1965-1971 | Democratic |
| Reubin O’D. Askew | 1971-1979 | Democratic |
| Wayne Mixson | 1979-1987 | Democratic |
| Bob Martinez | 1987-1991 | Republican |
| Buddy MacKay | 1999-2003 | Democratic |
| Frank Brogan | 2003-2007 | Republican |
| Jeff Kottkamp | 2007-2011 | Republican |
| Jennifer Carroll | 2011-2014 | Republican |
| Carlos Lopez-Cantera | 2014-2019 | Republican |
| Jeanette Nuñez | 2019-present | Republican |
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Lieutenant Governor of Florida plays a vital role in the state government, serving as the second-highest executive official and presiding over the Florida Senate and Cabinet. The current Lieutenant Governor, Jeannette Nuñez, is the first Hispanic woman to hold the office. With a salary of $143,850 per year and a range of benefits, the Lieutenant Governor is an important figure in state government.
