Lieutenant Governor of Washington explained

Post:Lieutenant Governor
Body:Washington
Insignia:LtGovWaSeal.png
Insigniasize:150px
Insigniacaption:Seal of the lieutenant governor
Incumbent:Denny Heck
Incumbentsince:January 13, 2021
Style:The Honorable
Salary:$117,300 (2020)[1]
Termlength:4 years
Formation:November 11, 1889
Succession:First
Inaugural:Charles E. Laughton

The lieutenant governor of Washington is an elected office in the U.S. state of Washington. The incumbent is Denny Heck, a Democrat who began his term in January 2021. The lieutenant governor serves as president of the Washington State Senate, fills in as acting governor whenever the governor leaves the state or is unable to serve, and assumes the duties of governor in case of a vacancy.[2] [3]

There have been 17 holders of the office, three of whom have ascended to the office of governor of Washington. Prior to statehood, there were 10 territorial secretaries of state of Washington that acted in the territorial governor's absence, but were unable to ascend to governor.[4]

List of lieutenant governors of Washington

Parties
Lieutenant governorTook officeLeft officeGovernor(s) served underPartyNotes
1 Charles LaughtonNovember 11, 1889January 11, 1893Elisha Peyre FerryRepublican
2F. H. LuceJanuary 11, 1893January 13, 1897John McGrawRepublican
3Thurston DanielsJanuary 13, 1897January 16, 1901John Rankin RogersPopulist
4Henry McBrideJanuary 16, 1901December 26, 1901John Rankin Rogers RepublicanBecame governor upon the death of Gov. Rogers
Vacant (December 26, 1901 – January 11, 1905)
5Charles E. CoonJanuary 11, 1905January 13, 1909Albert E. MeadRepublican
6Marion E. HayJanuary 27, 1909March 28, 1909Samuel G. CosgroveRepublicanBecame governor upon the death of Gov. Cosgrove
Vacant (March 28, 1909 – January 15, 1913)
7Louis Folwell HartJanuary 15, 1913February 13, 1919Ernest ListerRepublicanBecame governor upon the resignation of Gov. Lister
Vacant (February 13, 1919 – January 12, 1921)
8William J. CoyleJanuary 12, 1921January 14, 1925Louis Folwell HartRepublican
9W. Lon JohnsonJanuary 14, 1925January 16, 1929Roland H. HartleyRepublican
10John Arthur GellatlyJanuary 16, 1929January 11, 1933Roland H. HartleyRepublican
11Victor A. MeyersJanuary 11, 1933January 14, 1953Clarence D. Martin (Democratic)
Arthur B. Langlie (Republican)
Monrad C. Wallgren (Democratic)
Arthur B. Langlie (Republican)
Democratic
12Emmett AndersonJanuary 14, 1953January 16, 1957Arthur B. LanglieRepublican
13John A. CherbergJanuary 16, 1957January 11, 1989Albert Rosellini (Democratic)
Daniel J. Evans (Republican)
Dixy Lee Ray (Democratic)
John Spellman (Republican)
Booth Gardner (Democratic)
Democratic
14Joel PritchardJanuary 11, 1989January 15, 1997Booth Gardner (Democratic)
Mike Lowry (Democratic)
Republican
15Brad OwenJanuary 15, 1997January 11, 2017Gary Locke
Christine Gregoire
Jay Inslee
Democratic
16Cyrus HabibJanuary 11, 2017January 13, 2021Jay InsleeDemocratic
17Denny HeckJanuary 13, 2021presentJay InsleeDemocratic
[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Final 2019 and 2020 Salary Schedule . . August 7, 2020.
  2. Web site: Washington State Constitution. Washington State Legislature. August 23, 2019.
  3. Web site: AG, Secretary of State issue joint statement regarding gubernatorial succession in the event of a vacancy. November 25, 2020 . Washington Secretary of State.
  4. http://www.ltgov.wa.gov/Lt.Governor/History.html Lieutenant governors of the state of Washington to the beginning of Washington's statehood, November 11, 1889