Lieutenant Governor of Florida - History

History

The position of Lieutenant Governor has been used in Florida's government twice in the state's history. The first period spanned from 1865, after the American Civil War, through 1889. During this time, the lieutenant governor was elected independently of the Governor. In addition to being first in succession to the governor, the lieutenant governor was the ex officio president of the Florida Senate, and cast a vote in the case of a tie. William W. J. Kelly was the first person elected Lieutenant Governor after the position was created by the 1865 Constitution of Florida. The position was officially abolished by the post-Reconstruction Constitution of 1885, with the last Lieutenant Governor, Milton H. Mabry, serving out his term until 1889. After this point the office of President of the Senate was given to an elected member of the Senate, who also served as first in line of succession to the Governor.

The state constitution was again revised in 1968, and the office of Lieutenant Governor was recreated. In the modern period, the Lieutenant Governor is elected directly along with the Governor as his or her running mate. The Lieutenant Governor would serve as first in the line of succession, though the office of President of the Senate would remain with an elected Senator. The Lieutenant governor has a few prescribed duties, and otherwise assists the Governor with the duties of the executive branch. The first Lieutenant Governor in the modern period was Ray C. Osborne, who took office in 1969. The current Lieutenant Governor, and the 18th person to hold the position, is Jennifer Carroll.