Lieutenant Governor of Alabama explained

Post:Lieutenant Governor
Body:Alabama
Insignia:Seal of the Lieutenant Governor of Alabama.svg
Insigniasize:115
Insigniacaption:Seal of the lieutenant governor
Incumbent:Will Ainsworth
Incumbentsince:January 14, 2019
Style:The Honorable
Department:Government of Alabama
Termlength:Four years, renewable once
Inaugural:Andrew J. Applegate
Formation:1868
Salary:$68,556

The lieutenant governor of Alabama is the president of the Alabama Senate, elected to serve a four-year term. The office was created in 1868,[1] abolished in 1875,[2] and recreated in 1901.[3] According to the current constitution, should the governor be out of the state for more than 20 days, the lieutenant governor becomes acting governor, and if the governor dies, resigns or is removed from office (via impeachment), the lieutenant governor ascends to the governorship.[4] Earlier constitutions said the powers of the governor devolved upon the successor, rather than them necessarily becoming governor,[5] but the official listing includes these as full governors.[6] The governor and lieutenant governor are not elected on the same ticket.

History

In 1868, the state of Alabama issued a constitution which provided for the office of lieutenant governor. The document prescribed that the officer was to serve as the president of the State Senate and cast tie-breaking votes in that body, and made them first in line of succession to the governor's office. Andrew J. Applegate was the first person to serve as lieutenant governor.[7] In 1875, conservative Democrats determined the content of a new constitution which abolished the office in an attempt to reduce the size of state government. Alabama convened another constitutional convention in 1901. During its session, the incumbent governor died. Partly motivated by the lack of a clearly delineated line of gubernatorial succession, the delegates reestablished the office of lieutenant governor with responsibilities similar to those it previously held. Its constitutional responsibilities have been little altered since.[8]

Since the office's inception, 31 people have served as lieutenant governor of Alabama. Of those, only two have served two terms or more. The first woman to hold the office, Lucy Baxley, served from 2003 to 2007.[8]

Duties, powers, and structure

The lieutenant governor serves as president of the State Senate and assumes the office of governor in the event the gubernatorial office becomes vacant.[9] Senate rules empower the lieutenant governor to determine the composition of Senate committees and refer bills to committees of their choosing. As a result, the lieutenant governor typically exercises significant influence over the progress of legislation in the body.[8]

The state constitution does not provide any remedy in the event the lieutenant governor's office becomes vacant.[8] In such an instance, their role as the presiding officer of the State Senate is assumed by the Senate president pro tempore.[10]

List

!scope="col" colspan="3"
Lieutenant GovernorTerm in officePartyElectionGovernor
1data-sort-value="Applegate, Andrew" Andrew J. Applegate

[11] 		[12]
 -
August 21, 1870
Republican[13] 1868 
- Vacant
 -
November 26, 1870
2data-sort-value="Moren, Edward"Edward H. Moren

[14] 		[15]
 -
November 25, 1872
[16] 		Democratic[17] 1870
3data-sort-value="McKinstry, Alexander"Alexander McKinstry

[18] 		[19]
 -
November 24, 1874
[20] 		Republican[21] 1872
4data-sort-value="Ligon, Robert"Robert F. Ligon

[22] 		[23]
 -
November 27, 1876
Democratic[24] 1874
Office did not exist from November 28, 1876, to January 19, 1903
5data-sort-value="Cunningham, Russell"Russell McWhortor Cunningham

[25] 		[26]
 -
January 14, 1907
Democratic[27] 1902
6data-sort-value="Gray, Henry"Henry B. Gray

[28] 		[29]
 -
January 16, 1911
Democratic[30] 1906
7data-sort-value="Seed, Walter"Walter D. Seed Sr.

[31]
 -
January 18, 1915
Democratic[32] 1910
8data-sort-value="Kilby, Thomas"Thomas Kilby

[33] [34] 		[35]
 -
January 20, 1919
Democratic[36] 1914
9data-sort-value="Miller, Nathan"Nathan Lee Miller

[37] 		[38]
 -
January 15, 1923
Democratic[39] 1918
10data-sort-value="McDowell, Charles"Charles S. McDowell

[40] 		[41]
 -
January 17, 1927
Democratic[42] 1922
11data-sort-value="Davis, William"William C. Davis

[43] 		[44]
 -
January 19, 1931
Democratic[45] 1926
12data-sort-value="Merrill, Hugh"Hugh Davis Merrill

[46] 		[47]
 -
January 14, 1935
Democratic[48] 1930
13data-sort-value="Knight, Thomas"Thomas E. Knight

[49] 		[50]
 -
May 17, 1937
Democratic[51] 1934
- Vacant
 -
January 16, 1939
14data-sort-value="Carmichael, Albert"Albert A. Carmichael

[52] 		[53]
 -
January 18, 1943
Democratic[54] 1938
15data-sort-value="Ellis, Leven"Leven H. Ellis

[55] 		[56]
 -
January 20, 1947
Democratic[57] 1942
16data-sort-value="Inzer, James"James C. Inzer

[58] 		[59]
 -
January 15, 1951
Democratic[60] 1946
17data-sort-value="Allen, James"James Allen

[61] 		[62]
 -
January 17, 1955
Democratic[63] 1950
18data-sort-value="Hardwick, William"William G. Hardwick

[64] 		[65]
 -
January 19, 1959
Democratic[66] 1954
19data-sort-value="Boutwell, Albert"Albert Boutwell

[67] 		[68]
 -
January 14, 1963
Democratic[69] 1958
20data-sort-value="Allen, James"James Allen

[70]
 -
January 16, 1967
Democratic[71] 1962
21data-sort-value="Brewer, Albert"Albert Brewer

[72] [73] 		[74]
 -
May 7, 1968
Democratic[75] 1966
- Vacant
 -
January 18, 1971
22Jere Beasley

[76] 		[77]
 -
January 15, 1979
Democratic[78] 1970
1974
23data-sort-value="McMillan, George"George McMillan

[79] 		[80]
 -
January 17, 1983
Democratic[81] 1978
24data-sort-value="Baxley, Bill"Bill Baxley

[82] 		[83]
 -
January 19, 1987
Democratic[84] 1982
25Jim Folsom Jr.

[85] [86] 		[87]
 -
April 22, 1993
Democratic[88] 1986
1990[89]
- Vacant
 -
January 16, 1995
26data-sort-value="Siegelman, Don"Don Siegelman

[90] [91] 		[92]
 -
January 18, 1999
Democratic[93] 1994
27data-sort-value="Windom, Steve"Steve Windom

[94] 		[95]
 -
January 20, 2003
Republican[96] 1998
28data-sort-value="Baxley, Lucy"Lucy Baxley

[97] 		[98]
 -
January 15, 2007
Democratic[99] 2002
29data-sort-value="Folsom, Jim 2"Jim Folsom Jr.

[100]
 -
January 17, 2011
Democratic[101] 2006
30 Kay Ivey

[102] [103] 		[104]
 -
April 10, 2017
Republican[105] 2010
2014
- Vacant
 -
January 14, 2019
31Will Ainsworth
[106]
 -
Incumbent		Republican[107] 2018
2022

References

General
Constitutions
Specific

Notes and References

  1. 1868 Const. art. V, § 1
  2. 1875 Const. art. V, § 1
  3. AL Const. art. V, § 112
  4. AL Const. art. V, § 127
  5. 1819 Const. art. IV, § 18; 1861 Const. art. IV, § 18; 1865 Const. art V, § 19; 1868 Const. art. V, § 15; 1875 Const. art. V § 15
  6. Web site: Alabama Governors . . April 10, 2012.
  7. Web site: Reconstruction Constitutions. Shiver. Joshua. March 27, 2023. Encyclopedia of Alabama. Alabama Humanities Alliance. July 12, 2023.
  8. Web site: Office of the Lieutenant Governor. Moody. Brad. March 27, 2023. Encyclopedia of Alabama. Alabama Humanities Alliance . July 10, 2023.
  9. News: On more look at what's on the Alabama ballot. The Dothan Eagle. Associated Press. A8 . November 8, 2022.
  10. News: Lockette. Tim. Governor resigns amid affair scandal, pleads to two charges. The Anniston Star. 1A, 4A. April 11, 2017.
  11. Web site: August 25, 2009 . Andrew J. Applegate . 2023-12-14 . Alabama Department of Archives and History.
  12. News: 1868-07-14 . Governor of Alabama Inaugurated . 3 . The Daily Standard . 2023-12-04 . July 13 - Gov. Smith and Lieut. Gov. Applegate were sworn in to-day. . Newspapers.com.
  13. News: 1868-01-28 . Republican Platform . 2 . Daily State Sentinel . 2023-12-06.
  14. Web site: August 25, 2009 . Edward Hawthorne Moren . 2023-12-14 . Alabama Department of Archives and History.
  15. Ala. General Assembly. Journal of the House of Representatives. 1870 - 71 sess., 25, accessed December 4, 2023
  16. Ala. General Assembly. Journal of the Senate. 1872 sess., 37, accessed December 3, 2023
  17. News: 1870-11-01 . Democratic and Conservative Nominations . 2 . The Independent Monitor . 2023-12-06.
  18. Web site: August 25, 2009 . Alexander McKinstry . 2023-12-14 . Alabama Department of Archives and History.
  19. News: 1872-11-26 . Politics in Alabama . 4 . The Baltimore Sun . 2023-12-04.
  20. Ala. General Assembly. Journal of the Senate. 1874 - 75 sess., 30, accessed December 4, 2023
  21. News: 1872-11-01 . The Election . 1 . The Times-Argus . 2023-12-06.
  22. Web site: July 19, 2011 . Robert Fulwood Ligon . 2023-12-14 . Alabama Department of Archives and History.
  23. Ala. General Assembly. Journal of the Senate. 1874 - 75 sess., 40, accessed December 4, 2023
  24. News: 1874-11-03 . Democratic Ticket . 4 . The Clarke County Democrat . 2023-12-06.
  25. Web site: February 7, 2014 . Russell Cunningham . 2023-12-14 . Alabama Department of Archives and History.
  26. News: 1903-01-19 . Governor Took Oath of Office at Noon Today . 1 . The Birmingham News . 2023-12-04.
  27. News: 1902-11-01 . The Democratic Ticket . 14 . The Birmingham News . 2023-12-06.
  28. Web site: August 25, 2009 . Henry Bramlette Gray . 2023-12-14 . Alabama Department of Archives and History.
  29. News: 1907-01-14 . The New Governor Gives First Order . 14 . The Birmingham News . 2023-12-04.
  30. News: 1906-11-01 . Democratic Ticket . 2 . Franklin County Times . 2023-12-06.
  31. Web site: August 25, 2009 . Walter Dudley Seed, Sr. . 2023-12-14 . Alabama Department of Archives and History.
  32. News: 1910-11-01 . State and County Democratic Ticket . 1 . The Moulton Advertiser . 2023-12-06.
  33. Web site: Thomas Erby Kilby . January 18, 2023 . National Governors Association.
  34. Web site: Breedlove . Michael A. . June 3, 2021 . Thomas E. Kilby (1919-23) . January 18, 2023 . Encyclopedia of Alabama.
  35. Ala. General Assembly. Journal of the Senate. 1915 sess., 351, accessed December 4, 2023
  36. News: 1914-11-03 . Vote Is Light and Little Interest Is Taken in Election . 1 . The Birmingham News . 2023-12-06.
  37. Web site: Nathan L. Miller . October 18, 2006 . https://web.archive.org/web/20061206050052/http://archives.state.al.us/conoff/Miller.html . December 6, 2006 . Alabama Department of Archives and History.
  38. Ala. General Assembly. Journal of the Senate. 1919 sess., 145, accessed December 4, 2023
  39. News: 1918-11-03 . Republicans Have Little Hopes of Winning in State . 3 . The Montgomery Advertiser . 2023-12-06.
  40. Web site: August 25, 2009 . Charles Samuel McDowell, Jr. . 2023-12-14 . Alabama Department of Archives and History.
  41. News: 1923-01-15 . Throngs Gather to Attend Inaugural of Popular Chieftain . 1 . The Montgomery Advertiser . 2023-12-04.
  42. News: 1922-11-02 . Democratic Nominees . 4 . The Cleburne News . 2023-12-06.
  43. Web site: August 21, 2009 . William Columbus Davis . 2023-12-14 . Alabama Department of Archives and History.
  44. Ala. General Assembly. Journal of the Senate. 1927 sess., 139, accessed December 4, 2023
  45. News: 1926-11-01 . Little Doubt in State Vote . 9 . The Birmingham Post . 2023-12-06.
  46. Web site: May 23, 2017 . Hugh Davis Merrill . 2023-12-14 . Alabama Department of Archives and History.
  47. News: 1931-01-19 . Governor Takes Up Duty Without Fuss or Feathers . 2 . The Birmingham News . 2023-12-04.
  48. News: 1930-11-01 . Party's Leaders Address Rally at Birmingham . 1 . The Montgomery Advertiser . 2023-12-06.
  49. Web site: August 21, 2009 . Thomas E. Knight, Jr. . 2023-12-14 . Alabama Department of Archives and History.
  50. News: Davis . George L. . 1935-01-15 . Col. Bibb Graves Again Assumes Alabama's Helm . 1 . The Montgomery Advertiser . 2023-07-29.
  51. News: 1934-11-01 . Democratic Party . 1 . Shelby County Reporter . 2023-12-06.
  52. Web site: August 21, 2009 . Albert Carmichael . 2023-12-14 . Alabama Department of Archives and History.
  53. News: 1939-01-16 . Carmichael Takes Oath from Justice . 3 . The Huntsville Times . Associated Press . 2023-12-04.
  54. News: 1938-11-04 . Election to Be Held Tuesday November 8 . 1 . The Phenix-Girard Journal . 2023-12-06.
  55. Web site: August 20, 2009 . Leven Handy Ellis . 2023-12-14 . Alabama Department of Archives and History.
  56. News: 1943-01-20 . Sparks Delivers His Inaugural Speech on Capital Hill Monday . 4 . Our Mountain Home . 2023-12-04.
  57. News: 1942-11-02 . Small Local Vote Forecast Tomorrow . 1 . The Dothan Eagle . 2023-12-06.
  58. Web site: August 20, 2009 . James Clarence Inzer . 2023-12-14 . Alabama Department of Archives and History.
  59. News: 1947-01-20 . Huge Crowd Sees the Ceremonies . 7 . The Birmingham Post . UP . 2023-12-04.
  60. News: 1946-11-03 . Vote Control Plan Centers State Ballot . 2 . The Decatur Daily . 2023-12-06.
  61. Web site: August 20, 2009 . James B. Allen . 2023-12-14 . Alabama Department of Archives and History.
  62. News: 1951-01-16 . Persons Takes Oath, Vows He Won't Seek Office Again . 1 . Birmingham Post-Herald . 2023-12-04.
  63. News: 1950-11-02 . General Election to Be Held Tuesday . 1 . The Atmore Advance . 2023-12-06.
  64. Web site: August 20, 2009 . William Hardwick . 2023-12-14 . Alabama Department of Archives and History.
  65. News: 1955-01-20 . Folsom Takes Oath Chief Executive for Second Time . 1 . The Florala News . 2023-12-04.
  66. News: 1954-11-02 . Alabama Vote Reported Heavy; Total Ballot May Top 400,000 . 2A . Alabama Journal . 2023-12-06.
  67. Web site: August 20, 2009 . Albert Boutwell . 2023-12-14 . Alabama Department of Archives and History.
  68. News: Lake . Clancy . 1959-01-19 . No Segregation Compromise, Patterson Vows . 1 . The Birmingham News . 2023-12-04.
  69. News: 1958-11-01 . Boutwell Says Legislature Will Correct Docks 'Abuses' . 14 . The Birmingham News . 2023-12-06.
  70. News: 1963-01-15 . Allen Sworn In, Calls for Progress . 4 . Birmingham Post-Herald . 2023-12-04.
  71. News: 1962-11-01 . Candidates for State Offices and Congress . 1 . The Florence Herald . 2023-12-06.
  72. Web site: Albert Preston Brewer . January 18, 2023 . National Governors Association.
  73. Web site: Harvey . Gordon . November 13, 2020 . Albert P. Brewer (1968-71) . January 18, 2023 . Encyclopedia of Alabama.
  74. News: 1967-01-17 . Brewer Predicts 'very Progressive 4 Years' . 17 . Birmingham Post-Herald . 2023-12-04.
  75. News: 1966-11-03 . Voters to Use Four-Party Ballots in Tuesday’s Election . 1 . Abbeville Herald . 2023-12-06.
  76. Web site: Armbrester . Margaret E. . December 19, 2017 . Jere Beasley Sr. (1972) . January 18, 2023 . Encyclopedia of Alabama.
  77. News: 1971-01-19 . Beasley Sworn In As Lt. Governor . 14 . Alabama Journal . 2023-12-05.
  78. News: Bennett . James . 1970-11-02 . Five Candidates Are Seeking Seat of Lieutenant Governor . 1 . Birmingham Post-Herald . 2023-12-06.
  79. Web site: August 20, 2009 . George McMillan, Jr. . 2023-12-14 . Alabama Department of Archives and History.
  80. News: Bruer . Frank . 1979-01-16 . Eight State Leaders Take Oaths of Office . 9 . Birmingham Post-Herald . 2023-12-05.
  81. News: Bubbett . Vic . 1978-11-05 . Election Turnout Unpredictable . 1 . The Dothan Eagle . 2023-12-06.
  82. Web site: August 20, 2009 . Bill Baxley . 2023-12-14 . Alabama Department of Archives and History.
  83. News: Lindsay . Gary . 1983-01-18 . Wallace's Inauguration Reflects 'Hard Times' . 1 . The Dothan Eagle . 2023-12-05.
  84. News: 1982-10-29 . Cullman Demos Say Omission of Photo Was Unintentional . 3 . Birmingham Post-Herald . 2023-12-06.
  85. Web site: James Elisha Folsom, Jr. . January 18, 2023 . National Governors Association.
  86. Web site: Stewart . William H. . June 1, 2021 . James E. Folsom Jr. (1993-95) . January 18, 2023 . Encyclopedia of Alabama.
  87. News: 1987-01-20 . Guy Hunt Repeats Oath As Governor of Alabama . 3 . The Prattville Progress . AP . 2023-12-05.
  88. News: 1986-11-03 . Wild Political Season Will Climax Tuesday . 34 . Alabama Journal . 2023-12-06.
  89. News: 1990-11-07 . Folsom Defeats McKee for Lieutenant Governor . 9A . The Montgomery Advertiser . AP . 2023-12-06.
  90. Web site: Donald Eugene Siegelman . January 18, 2023 . National Governors Association.
  91. Web site: Webb . Samuel L. . Armbrester . Margaret E. . June 9, 2021 . Don Siegelman (1999-2003) . January 18, 2023 . Encyclopedia of Alabama.
  92. News: Bryant . Ted . 1995-01-17 . Siegelman inaugurated January 16 . A6 . Birmingham Post-Herald . 2023-12-05.
  93. News: 1994-11-04 . Folsom, Siegelman Have Biggest Banks at Deadline . 9A . The Anniston Star . AP . 2023-12-06.
  94. Web site: November 9, 2012 . Steve Windom . 2023-12-14 . Alabama Department of Archives and History.
  95. News: Benn . Alvin . 1999-01-19 . Windom inaugurated January 18 . 7A . The Montgomery Advertiser . 2023-12-05.
  96. News: Cason . Mike . 1998-11-01 . Windom Holds Four-Point Lead . 1 . The Montgomery Advertiser . 2023-12-06.
  97. Web site: September 10, 2009 . Lucy Baxley . 2023-12-14 . Alabama Department of Archives and History.
  98. News: Johnson . Bob . 2003-01-21 . Baxley sworn in January 20 . 8A . The Dothan Eagle . AP . 2023-12-05.
  99. News: Johnson . Bob . 2002-11-01 . Lieutenant Governor's Race Less Expensive . D1 . Birmingham Post-Herald . AP . 2023-12-06.
  100. News: Rawls . Phillip . 2007-01-16 . Riley Urges Alabamians to Believe in Brighter Future . A1 . The Selma Times-Journal . AP . 2023-12-05.
  101. News: Rawls . Phillip . 2006-11-02 . Height – and Size – Matters in Race for Lieutenant Governor . 6B . The Anniston Star . AP . 2023-12-06.
  102. Web site: Kay Ivey . January 18, 2023 . National Governors Association.
  103. Web site: Wilson . Claire . May 1, 2020 . Kay Ivey (2017-) . January 18, 2023 . Encyclopedia of Alabama.
  104. News: 2011-01-18 . New Lt. Gov. Notes Historic Nature of Term . 3A . The Selma Times-Journal . AP . 2023-12-05.
  105. News: Rawls . Phillip . 2010-11-04 . Ivey ran as a Republican . 4A . The Montgomery Advertiser . AP . 2023-12-06.
  106. News: Brownlee . Chip . 2019-01-15 . Ainsworth pushes better education, more ethical government in inaugural speech . en-US . Alabama Political Reporter . 2023-12-05.
  107. News: 2018-11-01 . Lt. Gov. Candidate's Wife Hurt in Accident . A8 . The Montgomery Advertiser . AP . 2023-12-06.

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