Lieutenant Governor of Virginia
The lieutenant governor of Virginia is a constitutional office in the executive branch of the U.S. state of Virginia. It is the second highest-ranking official in the state government. The lieutenant governor ranks first in the gubernatorial line of succession and is also the officer of the legislative branch, president of the Virginia Senate and the presiding officer of the Virginia Senate.[1]
| Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia | |
|---|---|
 Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia | |
 Flag of the Commonwealth of Virginia | |
| Virginia Senate Government of Virginia | |
| Style | Madam Lieutenant Governor (Informal) The Honorable (Formal) Madam President (When presiding over Virginia Senate) |
| Residence | None official |
| Seat | Oliver Hill Building, Richmond, Virginia |
| Term length | Four years, no term limits |
| Constituting instrument | Constitution of Virginia |
| Inaugural holder | Shelton Leake |
| Formation | 1852 |
| Succession | First (gubernatorial line of succession) |
| Salary | $36,321 |
| Website | Official website |
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Ghazala Hashmi is the 43rd and current lieutenant governor of Virginia, in office since January 2026.[2]
Eligibility & requirements
Section 13 of the state's constitution states for a person to serve as lieutenant governor must:
- be at least thirty years old.
- be a United States citizen
- be a registered voter and resident of Virginia for at least five years.[3]
Election process and terms
The lieutenant governor is elected by the people through the popular election to a four-year term on a separate ticket. The candidate must have the majority of the popular vote in order to win the election.
Under Section 13 of the state's constitution, the lieutenant governor doesn't have term limits unlike the governor, who is prevented from elected consecutively.
Constitutional roles and duties
President of the Virginia Senate
Article V, gives the lieutenant governor the title president of the Senate, authorizing the lieutenant governor to preside over the Senate. This position also has the authority to cast a tie-breaking vote.[4]
The lieutenant governor also serves as a member of several other state boards, commissions and councils, including the:
• Board of Trustees of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation and the Center for Rural Virginia
• Board of Directors of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership Virginia Tourism Authority
• Virginia Military Advisory Council
• Commonwealth Preparedness Council and the Council on Virginia's Future
Living former lieutenant governors
| Lt. Governor | Lt. Gubernatorial term | Date of birth (and age) |
|---|---|---|
| Chuck Robb | 1978–1982 |
June 26, 1939 (aged 86) |
| Douglas Wilder | 1986–1990 |
January 17, 1931 (aged 95) |
| Don Beyer | 1990–1998 |
June 20, 1950 (aged 75) |
| Tim Kaine | 2002–2006 |
February 26, 1958 (aged 68) |
| Bill Bolling | 2006–2014 |
June 15, 1957 (aged 69) |
| Ralph Northam | 2014–2018 |
September 13, 1959 (aged 66) |
| Winsome Earle-Sears | 2022–2026 |
March 11, 1964 (aged 62) |
Lieutenant Governor Of Virginia Media
Portrait of Virginia Lieutenant Governor William Lowther Jackson
Portrait of Robert Latane Montague
Samuel Price - Brady-Handy
Daniel Polsley, US Representative from West Virginia
Hon. John F. Lewis - NARA - 527363
John Lawrence Marye, Jr. (1823-1902), lieutenant governor of Virginia
Robert E. Withers - Brady-Handy
James A. Walker, Confederate General.
Hon. John F. Lewis - NARA - 527363
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References
- ↑ Legislative Liaisons | Agency Details (in en-US). liaison.lis.virginia.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-01.
- ↑ History, The Hornbook of Virginia. Lieutenant Governors of Virginia (in en-US). Encyclopedia Virginia. Retrieved 2025-10-01.
- ↑ Dinan, John J.. The Virginia State Constitution (in en) (2014)Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-935572-3.
- ↑ webmaster@governor.virginia.gov. History of the Office - Winsome Earle-Sears (in en). www.ltgov.virginia.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-01.