List of lieutenant governors of Mississippi

The lieutenant governor of Mississippi is the second-highest ranking executive officer in Mississippi, below the governor of Mississippi. The office of lieutenant governor was established when Mississippi became a state, abolished for a few decades in the first half of the 19th century, and restored later in the century.

The lieutenant governor is the president of the Mississippi State Senate and presides over that body, only voting to break a tie. Compared to the lieutenant governors in other states, Mississippi's has a great deal of power in the state senate. The lieutenant governor has the sole ability to appoint members, vice-chairmen, and chairmen to the various Senate committees, regardless of each party's strength in the chamber. Given that power, it is argued that the office is more powerful than the governorship.

There is a two-term limit, with each term being four years long. In the event of the death, resignation, or removal of the governor, the lieutenant governor assumes the higher office. Also, if the governor is out of state, then the lieutenant governor can act in the governor's place.

History

The office of lieutenant governor of Mississippi was established by the state's 1817 constitution and it and the governorship were the only popularly-elected statewide positions. The role was eliminated in the 1832 constitution and reintroduced in the 1869 constitution. Brad Dye, who held the office over three terms from 1980 to 1992, was the state's longest-serving lieutenant governor. Unlike previous holders of the office, he used his appointment power in the Mississippi Senate to strategically place his allies on committees to advance his own political goals. In 1992 the constitution was amended to limit the office holder to serving two consecutive terms. Following a reduction in the powers of the speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives in 1987, a group of senators unsuccessfully attempted to strip the lieutenant governor of their power to appoint committees and refer bills to them.

The majority of Mississippi Lieutenant Governors have been Democrats, although the post has been held continuously by Republicans since 2002. Since the end of Reconstruction, there have been only four Republicans: Eddie Briggs, who served from 1992 to 1996; Amy Tuck, who served from 2000 to 2008 (who was originally elected as a Democrat before switching to the Republican Party in December 2002 and being re-elected as a Republican in 2003). There have been three consecutive full-time Republicans since 2008, Phil Bryant, who served from 2008 to 2012; Tate Reeves, who served from 2012 to 2020; and Delbert Hosemann who assumed office on January 14, 2020.

Election

The lieutenant governor is elected independently of the governor but at the same time, and candidates' qualifications for the former office are the same as for the latter. They serve a four-year term and are limited to serving two consecutive terms in office, with no limits on nonconsecutive terms.

Powers, duties, and structure

The lieutenant governor is the only official in Mississippi to be a member of two branches of state government. They are ''ex officio'' President of the Senate and the Senate may empower the lieutenant governor to determine the composition of its committees and refer bills to them. Historically, the lieutenant governor has determined the composition of all Senate committees except the Rules Committee. The lieutenant governor is also allowed to serve on legislative committees. The constitution empowers the lieutenant governor to participate in legislative debates and to cast tie-breaking votes both in the Senate and in joint resolutions of both houses of the State Legislature. As presiding officer in the Senate, they rule on points of order and sign all passed bills. They are also empowered to appoint two of the members of the Mississippi Board of Education. Political scientists often describe Mississippi's lieutenant governor as one of the most powerful such officers in the country. In the event the incumbent governor of Mississippi dies, is incapacitated, or leaves the state, the lieutenant governor assumes their responsibilities as acting governor. In the event the lieutenant governor is unavailable in the State Senate, the body's president ''pro tempore'' assumes their responsibilities there.

The lieutenant governor is constitutionally required to collect the same compensation as the speaker of the House. Their salary is $60,000 per year, but is set to increase to $85,000 annually in 2024. They maintain an office on the third floor of the Mississippi State Capitol.

Lieutenant Governors and Presidents of the Senate

; Parties

Lieutenant governors (1817–1832)

Presidents of the Senate

The Office of Lieutenant Governor was abolished by the Constitution of 1832, and the duties of President of the Senate were incorporated into a separate office.

Lieutenant governors (1870–present)

The Constitution of 1868 re-established the Office of Lieutenant Governor. This office also re-assumed the duties of President of the Senate.

1. Amy Tuck switched to the Republican Party in December 2002.

Not listed

* M. P. Lowry Love

References

Works cited

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External links

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{{Lists of lieutenant governors by U.S. state

Lists of state lieutenant governors of the United States