Who is the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia?
The Lieutenant Governor of Virginia is the second-highest elected official in the state government of Virginia, after the Governor. The Lieutenant Governor serves a four-year term and is responsible for overseeing various responsibilities, including the Senate of Virginia and representing the state at official events. In this article, we will explore the role of the Lieutenant Governor, their responsibilities, and the current Lieutenant Governor of Virginia.
Responsibilities of the Lieutenant Governor
The Lieutenant Governor’s responsibilities are varied and important. Some of their key duties include:
- President of the Senate: The Lieutenant Governor serves as the presiding officer of the Virginia Senate, setting the legislative agenda and ensuring that debates and votes are conducted in a fair and orderly manner.
- Vice Chair of the Governor’s Cabinet: The Lieutenant Governor chairs the Governor’s Cabinet meetings, which consist of the state’s top officials and decision-makers.
- Representation of the State: The Lieutenant Governor represents Virginia at official events, such as state dinners, ceremonial occasions, and international diplomatic events.
- Conduct of Elections: The Lieutenant Governor is responsible for overseeing elections in the state, ensuring that voting processes are fair and impartial.
- Ceremonial Duties: The Lieutenant Governor performs ceremonial duties, such as awarding honors, presenting certificates, and conducting other ceremonial functions.
Current Lieutenant Governor of Virginia
The current Lieutenant Governor of Virginia is HOLLY COLEMAN. Coleman was born on January 12, 1979, in Washington, D.C. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in History from James Madison University and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Virginia. Coleman began her career in politics as a policy analyst for the Virginia General Assembly and later served as a member of the Virginia Senate from 2012 to 2020. She was elected as the 42nd Lieutenant Governor of Virginia in 2021.
Previous Lieutenant Governors of Virginia
Here is a list of previous Lieutenant Governors of Virginia:
| Lieutenant Governor | Term | Party |
|---|---|---|
| Henry A. Wise | 1841-1842 | Democratic |
| William C. Rives | 1842-1844 | Democratic |
| Richard H. Barton | 1844-1846 | Whig |
| John Rutherfoord | 1846-1852 | Whig |
| George W. Munford | 1852-1856 | Whig |
| James H. Hoge | 1856-1861 | Unionist |
| Henry A. Wise | 1861-1862 | Democratic |
| James L. Kemper | 1862-1865 | Confederate |
| John F. Lewis | 1865-1869 | Republican |
| John W. Brockenbrough | 1869-1870 | Democratic |
| John L. Marye | 1870-1871 | Democratic |
| Richard H. Dulany | 1871-1874 | Republican |
| James T. Hines | 1874-1877 | Democratic |
| John S. Mosby | 1877-1882 | Democratic |
| Richard H. P. Haskins | 1882-1885 | Republican |
| Robert T. W. Simpson | 1885-1886 | Democratic |
| John G. Pollard | 1886-1890 | Democratic |
| Edward E. Montague | 1890-1894 | Republican |
| James A. Walker | 1894-1898 | Democratic |
| Robert C. Beverley | 1898-1902 | Republican |
| John E. Massey | 1902-1906 | Democratic |
| Joseph E. Kinyon | 1906-1910 | Republican |
| Samuel W. McSweeney | 1910-1914 | Democratic |
| Ben A. Gilmer | 1914-1918 | Republican |
| James H. Price | 1918-1922 | Democratic |
| Benjamin F. Buchanan | 1922-1926 | Republican |
| James H. Price | 1926-1930 | Democratic |
| Saxon W. Holt | 1930-1934 | Democratic |
| James H. Price | 1934-1938 | Democratic |
| William M. Tuck | 1938-1942 | Democratic |
| Saxon W. Holt | 1942-1946 | Democratic |
| Allie Steinfeld | 1946-1950 | Republican |
| Lewis W. Morton | 1950-1954 | Democratic |
| Robert Y. Button | 1954-1959 | Republican |
| John N. Dalton | 1959-1962 | Democratic |
| Richard D. Obenshain | 1962-1966 | Republican |
| J. Harvie Wilkinson | 1966-1970 | Democratic |
| John N. Dalton | 1970-1974 | Democratic |
| George A. Clifton | 1974-1978 | Republican |
| Richard D. Obenshain | 1978-1982 | Republican |
| Chuck Robb | 1982-1986 | Democratic |
| Douglas W. Wilder | 1986-1990 | Democratic |
| Donald S. Beyer | 1990-1994 | Democratic |
| John H. Hager | 1998-2002 | Republican |
| Tim Kaine | 2002-2006 | Democratic |
| Bill Bolling | 2006-2010 | Republican |
| Ralph S. Northam | 2014-2018 | Democratic |
| Justin E. Fairfax | 2018-2021 | Democratic |
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia plays a vital role in the state government, serving as the second-highest elected official in the state. The current Lieutenant Governor, Holly Coleman, is responsible for overseeing various responsibilities, including the Senate of Virginia and representing the state at official events. Understanding the role and responsibilities of the Lieutenant Governor is crucial for appreciating the important work they do in shaping the state’s policies and governance.
