List of female lieutenant governors in the United States

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

As of September 2021, there are 18 women currently serving (excluding acting capacity) as lieutenant governors in the United States. Overall, 107 women have served (including acting capacity). Women have been elected lieutenant governor from 38 of the 50 states. The states that have not elected a woman are Arkansas, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia. Virginia will be the 39th state to elect a woman to its lieutenant governorship for the first time on November 2, 2021. She will become the 108th overall to serve, beginning in January 2022.

Some states do not have the position of lieutenant governor: Arizona, Maine, New Hampshire, Oregon and Wyoming. The holders of the first in line to the governorship there, either the secretary of state or senate president, are listed here separately.

History[]

The first woman to become lieutenant governor was Matilda Dodge Wilson (R), who was appointed lieutenant governor of Michigan in 1940 by Luren Dickinson.[citation needed]

In 1978, Jean King (D) was elected as the first female Asian-American lieutenant governor, when she was elected lieutenant governor of Hawaii.[citation needed]

In 2002, Jennette Bradley (R) was elected as the first female African-American lieutenant governor, when she was elected lieutenant governor of Ohio.[citation needed]

In 2010, Jennifer Carroll (R) was elected as the first female military veteran lieutenant governor, when she was elected lieutenant governor of Florida.[citation needed]

In 2014, Evelyn Sanguinetti (R) was elected as the first female Hispanic or Latino lieutenant governor, when she was elected lieutenant governor of Illinois.[citation needed]

Kentucky was the first state to hold a transfer of power from one female lieutenant governor to another, when Martha Layne Collins was elected to succeed Thelma Stovall in 1979.[citation needed]

Minnesota has had the most female lieutenant governors or other deputy leaders of any state in the Union, with nine consecutive female lieutenant governors since 1983. However, no female politician has been nominated for governor by any major statewide party in any of Minnesota's gubernatorial elections.[1]

No state has or ever had both a female governor and permanent female lieutenant governor at the same time. In New York, Andrea Stewart-Cousins became acting Lieutenant Governor on Kathy Hochul's succeeding Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York during his third term on August 24, 2021.

From 1997 to 2009, Arizona had two female governors and two concurrently serving female secretaries of state.[citation needed]

To date, in states without a lieutenant governor, no woman has ever changed parties during her term as a secretary of state or a state senate president, or been elected as a third party member or an independent.[citation needed]

List of female lieutenant governors[]

  Denotes incumbent lieutenant governor
  • Italics denotes acting lieutenant governor
Name
(lifespan)
Portrait State Party Term start Term end Length of
service
Left for
Matilda Dodge Wilson
(1883–1967)
Lt. Gov. Wilson  Michigan Republican January 1, 1940 January 1, 1941 1 year, 0 days Retired
Consuelo N. Bailey
(1899–1976)
Lt. Gov. Bailey  Vermont Republican January 8, 1955 January 10, 1957 2 years, 2 days Retired
Maude Frazier
(1881–1963)
Lt. Gov. Frazier  Nevada Democratic July 4, 1962 January 1, 1963 181 days Retired
Mary Anne Krupsak
(born 1932)
Lt. Gov. Krupsak  New York Democratic January 1, 1975 December 31, 1978 3 years, 364 days Retired to run for the Democratic nomination for Governor in 1978 (Defeated in primary)
Thelma Stovall
(1919–1994)
Lt. Gov. Stovall  Kentucky Democratic December 9, 1975 December 11, 1979 4 years, 2 days Retired to run for the Democratic nomination for Governor in 1979 (Defeated in primary)
Evelyn Gandy
(1920–2007)
Lt. Gov. Gandy  Mississippi Democratic January 20, 1976 January 22, 1980 4 years, 2 days Retired to run for the Democratic nomination for Governor in 1979 (Defeated in primary)
Jean King
(1925–2013)
Lt. Gov. King  Hawaii Democratic December 2, 1978 December 2, 1982 4 years, 0 days Retired to run for the Democratic nomination for Governor in 1982 (Defeated in primary)
Nancy E. Dick
(born 1930)
Lt. Gov. Dick  Colorado Democratic January 10, 1979 January 13, 1987 8 years, 0 days Retired
Madeleine Kunin
(born 1933)
Lt. Gov. Kunin  Vermont Democratic January 10, 1979 January 10, 1983 4 years, 0 days Retired to run as the Democratic nominee for Governor in 1982 (Defeated)[a]
Nancy Stevenson
(1929–2001)
Lt. Gov. Stevenson  South Carolina Democratic January 10, 1979 January 12, 1983 4 years, 2 days Retired
Martha Layne Collins
(born 1936)
Lt. Gov. Collins  Kentucky Democratic December 11, 1979 December 13, 1983 4 years, 2 days Retired to run as the Democratic nominee for Governor in 1983 (Elected). Governor of Kentucky (1983–1987)
Martha Griffiths
(1912–2003)
Lt. Gov. Griffiths  Michigan Democratic January 1, 1983 January 1, 1991 8 years, 0 days Retired.[b]
Marlene Johnson
(born 1946)
Lt. Gov. Johnson  Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor January 3, 1983 January 7, 1991 8 years, 4 days Lost reelection
Ruth Meiers
(1925–1987)
Lt. Gov. Meiers  North Dakota Democratic–NPL January 1, 1985 March 19, 1987 2 years, 77 days Died
Harriett Woods
(1927–2007)
Lt. Gov. Woods  Missouri Democratic January 14, 1985 January 9, 1989 3 years, 361 days Retired
Evelyn Murphy
(born 1940)
Lt. Gov. Murphy  Massachusetts Democratic January 1, 1987 January 1, 1991 4 years, 0 days Retired to run for the Democratic nomination for Governor in 1990 (Dropped out of primary)
Jo Ann Zimmerman
(1936–2019)
Lt. Gov. Zimmerman  Iowa Democratic January 1, 1987 January 1, 1991 4 years, 0 days Lost reelection
Connie Binsfeld
(1924–2014)
Lt. Gov. Binsfeld  Michigan Republican January 1, 1991 January 1, 1999 8 years, 0 days Retired
Joy Corning
(1932–2017)
Lt. Gov. Corning  Iowa Republican January 1, 1991 January 15, 1999 8 years, 14 days Retired to run for the Republican nomination for Governor in 1998 (Dropped out of primary)
Maxine Moul
(born 1947)
Lt. Gov. Moul  Nebraska Democratic January 1, 1991 October 5, 1993 2 years, 277 days Resigned
Joanell Dyrstad
(born 1942)
Lt. Gov. Dyrstad  Minnesota Republican January 7, 1991 January 3, 1995 3 years, 361 days Retired to run for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in 1994 (Defeated in primary)
Sue Wagner
(born 1940)
Lt. Gov. Wagner  Nevada Republican January 7, 1991 January 2, 1995 3 years, 360 days Retired
Eunice Groark
(1938–2018)
Lt. Gov. Groark  Connecticut A Connecticut Party January 9, 1991 January 4, 1995 3 years, 360 days Retired to run as the A Connecticut Party nominee for Governor in 1994 (Defeated)
Melinda Schwegmann
(born 1946)
Lt. Gov. Schwegmann  Louisiana Democratic January 13, 1992 January 8, 1996 3 years, 360 days Retired to run for the Democratic nomination for Governor in 1995 (Defeated in primary)
Rosemarie Myrdal
(born 1929)
Lt. Gov. Myrdal  North Dakota Republican December 15, 1992 December 15, 2000 8 years, 0 days Retired
Barbara Snelling
(1928–2015)
Lt. Gov. Snelling  Vermont Republican January 1, 1993 January 1, 1997 4 years, 0 days Retired
Olene Walker
(1930–2015)
Lt. Gov. Walker  Utah Republican January 4, 1993 November 5, 2003 10 years, 305 days Became Governor of Utah (2003–2005)
Ruth Ann Minner
(born 1935)
Lt. Gov. Minner  Delaware Democratic January 19, 1993 January 3, 2001 7 years, 350 days Retired to run as the Democratic nominee for Governor in 2000 (Elected). Became Governor of Delaware (2001–2009)
Kim M. Robak
(born 1955)
Lt. Gov. Robak  Nebraska Democratic October 5, 1993 January 7, 1999 5 years, 98 days Retired
Mazie Hirono
(born 1947)
Lt. Gov. Hirono  Hawaii Democratic December 2, 1994 December 2, 2002 8 years, 0 days Retired to run as the Democratic nominee for Governor in 2002 (Defeated)[c]
Fran Ulmer
(born 1947)
Lt. Gov. Ulmer  Alaska Democratic December 5, 1994 December 2, 2002 7 years, 362 days Retired to run as the Democratic nominee for Governor in 2002 (Defeated)
Gail Schoettler
(born 1943)
No image.svg  Colorado Democratic January 3, 1995 January 12, 1999 4 years, 11 days Retired to run as the Democratic nominee for Governor in 1998 (Defeated)
Carole Hillard
(1936–2007)
No image.svg  South Dakota Republican January 1, 1995 January 1, 2003 8 years, 0 days Retired
Betsy McCaughey
(born 1948)
Betsy McCaughey.jpg  New York Republican January 1, 1995 December 31, 1998 3 years, 364 days Retired to run for the Democratic nomination for Governor in 1998 (Defeated in primary)[d]
Democratic
Madeleine Bordallo
(born 1933)
Madeleine Bordallo official portrait.jpg  Guam Democratic January 2, 1995 January 6, 2003 8 years, 4 days Retired to run for Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives from Guam
(2003–2019).
Joanne Benson
(born 1943)
No image.svg  Minnesota Republican January 3, 1995 January 4, 1999 4 years, 1 day Retired to run for the Republican nomination for Governor in 1998 (Defeated in primary)
Jodi Rell
(born 1946)
FEMA - 29383 - Photograph by Debra Young taken on 04-19-2007 in Connecticut.jpg  Connecticut Republican January 4, 1995 July 1, 2004 9 years, 179 days Became Governor of Connecticut (2004–2011)
Nancy Hollister
(born 1949)
Nancy Hollister (Ohio governor).jpg  Ohio Republican January 9, 1995 December 31, 1998 3 years, 356 days Became Governor of Ohio (1998–1999)
Sheila Frahm
(born 1945)
SenatorFrahm(R-KS).jpg  Kansas Republican January 9, 1995 June 11, 1996 1 year, 154 days Resigned to become U.S. Senator from Kansas (1996)
Mary Fallin
(born 1954)
Mary Fallin official 110th Congress photo.jpg  Oklahoma Republican January 9, 1995 January 2, 2007 11 years, 358 days Retired to become the U.S. Representative from Oklahoma 5th (2007-2011).[e]
Kathleen Kennedy Townsend
(born 1951)
Kathleen Kennedy Townsend.jpg  Maryland Democratic January 18, 1995 January 15, 2003 7 years, 362 days Retired to run as the Democratic nominee for Governor in 2002 (Defeated)
Kathleen Blanco
(1942–2019)
KBlancoChalmetteIce.jpg  Louisiana Democratic January 8, 1996 January 12, 2004 8 years, 4 days Retired to run as the Democratic nominee for Governor in 2003 (Elected). Governor of Louisiana (2004–2008)
Judy Martz
(1943–2017)
Judy Martz 2003 (cropped).jpg  Montana Republican January 6, 1997 January 1, 2001 3 years, 361 days Retired to run as the Republican nominee for Governor in 2000 (Elected). Governor of Montana (2001–2005)
Mary Donohue
(born 1947)
No image.svg  New York Republican January 1, 1999 December 31, 2006 7 years, 364 days Retired to become a Judge of the New York Court of Claims
Lorraine Hunt
(born 1939)
No image.svg  Nevada Republican January 4, 1999 January 20, 2007 8 years, 16 days Retired to run for the Republican nomination for Governor in 2006 (Defeated in primary)
Mae Schunk
(born 1934)
No image.svg  Minnesota Reform January 4, 1999 January 6, 2003 4 years, 2 days Retired[f]
Independence Party of Minnesota
Jane Swift
(born 1965)
Jane Swift 2001.jpeg  Massachusetts Republican January 7, 1999 January 2, 2003 3 years, 360 days Became Acting Governor of Massachusetts (2001–2003)
Corinne Wood
(born 1954)
No image.svg  Illinois Republican January 11, 1999 January 13, 2003 4 years, 2 days Retired to run for the Republican nomination for Governor in 2002 (Defeated in primary)
Maureen O'Connor
(born 1951)
Maureen O'Connor crop 2012-12-17.jpg  Ohio Republican January 11, 1999 December 31, 2002 3 years, 354 days Retired to run as the Republican nominee for Associate Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court (Elected)
Sally Pederson
(born 1951)
Sally Pederson.jpg  Iowa Democratic January 15, 1999 January 12, 2007 7 years, 362 days Retired
Amy Tuck
(born 1963)
AmyTuck.jpg  Mississippi Democratic January 11, 2000 January 10, 2008 7 years, 364 days Retired[g]
Republican
Bev Perdue
(born 1947)
Beverly Perdue official photo.jpg  North Carolina Democratic January 6, 2001 January 10, 2009 8 years, 4 days Retired to run as the Democratic nominee for Governor in 2008 (Elected). Governor of North Carolina (2009–2013)
Margaret Farrow
(born 1934)
No image.svg  Wisconsin Republican May 9, 2001 January 6, 2003 1 year, 242 days Lost reelection
Diane Denish
(born 1949)
Diane Denish.jpg  New Mexico Democratic January 1, 2003 January 1, 2011 8 years, 0 days Retired to run as the Democrat nominee for Governor in 2010 (Defeated)
Kerry Healey
(born 1960)
Kerry Healey, Mass GOP Chair.jpg  Massachusetts Republican January 2, 2003 January 4, 2007 4 years, 2 days Retired to run as the Republican nominee for Governor in 2006 (Defeated)
Carol Molnau
(born 1949)
Carol Molnau.jpg  Minnesota Republican January 6, 2003 January 3, 2011 7 years, 362 days Retired
Barbara Lawton
(born 1951)
Lawton barbara official.jpg  Wisconsin Democratic January 6, 2003 January 3, 2011 7 years, 362 days Retired to run for the Democrat nomination for Governor in 2010 (Dropped out of primary)
Jennette Bradley
(born 1952)
No image.svg  Ohio Republican January 13, 2003 January 5, 2005 1 year, 358 days Resigned to become Ohio State Treasurer
Jane E. Norton
(born 1954)
Jane E. Norton.jpg  Colorado Republican January 13, 2003 January 9, 2007 3 years, 361 days Retired
Lucy Baxley
(1937–2016)
Lucy Baxley.jpg  Alabama Democratic January 20, 2003 January 15, 2007 3 years, 360 days Retired to run as the Democrat nominee for Governor in 2006 (Defeated)
Catherine Baker Knoll
(1930–2008)
Catherine Baker Knoll (2006).jpg  Pennsylvania Democratic January 21, 2003 November 12, 2008 5 years, 296 days Died
Toni Jennings
(born 1949)
Toni Jennings2.jpg  Florida Republican March 3, 2003 January 2, 2007 3 years, 305 days Retired
Kathy Davis
(born 1956)
Kathy Davis Lt Governor (a).png  Indiana Democratic October 20, 2003 January 10, 2005 1 year, 82 days Lost reelection
Becky Skillman
(born 1950)
Becky Skillman speaking, May 12, 2007.JPEG  Indiana Republican January 10, 2005 January 14, 2013 8 years, 4 days Retired
Elizabeth H. Roberts
(born 1957)
Elizabeth Roberts 2009.jpg  Rhode Island Democratic January 2, 2007 January 6, 2015 8 years, 4 days Retired
Jari Askins
(born 1953)
Jari Askins cropped.jpg  Oklahoma Democratic January 2, 2007 January 10, 2011 4 years, 8 days Retired to run as the Democrat nominee for Governor in 2010 (Defeated)
Barbara O'Brien
(born 1950)
Barbaraobrien.jpg  Colorado Democratic January 9, 2007 January 11, 2011 4 years, 2 days Retired
Patty Judge
(born 1943)
Patty Judge.jpg  Iowa Democratic January 12, 2007 January 14, 2011 4 years, 2 days Lost reelection
Mona Pasquil
(born 1962)
Mona pasquil.jpg  California Democratic November 4, 2009 April 27, 2010 174 days Retired
Kim Guadagno
(born 1959)
Kim Guadagno in Hoboken.jpg  New Jersey Republican January 19, 2010 January 16, 2018 7 years, 362 days Retired to run as the Republican nominee for Governor in 2017 (Defeated)
Rebecca Kleefisch
(born 1975)
Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch (cropped).jpg  Wisconsin Republican January 3, 2011 January 7, 2019 8 years, 4 days Lost reelection
Yvonne Prettner Solon
(born 1946)
YvonnePrettnerSolon.jpg  Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor January 3, 2011 January 5, 2015 4 years, 2 days Retired
Jennifer Carroll
(born 1959)
Jennifer Carroll official photo.jpg  Florida Republican January 4, 2011 March 12, 2013 2 years, 67 days Resigned
Nancy Wyman
(born 1946)
NancyWymanIreneResponse.jpg  Connecticut Democratic January 5, 2011 January 9, 2019 8 years, 4 days Retired
Mary Taylor
(born 1966)
Mary Taylor by Gage Skidmore.jpg  Ohio Republican January 10, 2011 January 14, 2019 8 years, 4 days Retired to run for Republican nomination for 2018 Ohio gubernatorial election (Defeated in primary)
Sheila Simon
(born 1961)
Sheila Simon.jpg  Illinois Democratic January 10, 2011 January 12, 2015 4 years, 2 days Retired to run as the Democratic nominee for Illinois Comptroller in 2014. (Defeated)
Kim Reynolds
(born 1959)
Kim Reynolds by Gage Skidmore (cropped).jpg  Iowa Republican January 14, 2011 May 24, 2017 6 years, 130 days Became Governor of Iowa (2017–present)
Kay Ivey
(born 1944)
Portrait-Governor-Kay-Ivey.jpg  Alabama Republican January 17, 2011 April 10, 2017 6 years, 83 days Became Governor of Alabama (2017–present)
Sue Ellspermann
(born 1960)
Lt Gov Sue Ellspermann.jpg  Indiana Republican January 14, 2013 March 2, 2016 3 years, 48 days Resigned
Angela McLean
(born 1970)
Angela McLean.jpg  Montana Democratic February 17, 2014 January 3, 2016 1 year, 320 days Resigned
Crit Luallen
(born 1952)
Crit Luallen.jpg  Kentucky Democratic November 13, 2014 December 8, 2015 1 year, 25 days Retired
Kathy Hochul
(born 1958)
Kathy Hochul, November 2017.jpeg  New York Democratic January 1, 2015 August 23, 2021 6 years, 234 days Became Governor of New York (2021–present)[h]
Tina Smith
(born 1958)
Tina Smith 2015.jpg  Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor January 5, 2015 January 2, 2018 2 years, 362 days Resigned to become U.S. Senator from Minnesota (2018–present)
Karyn Polito
(born 1966)
Karyn Polito official photo (cropped).jpg  Massachusetts Republican January 8, 2015 Incumbent 6 years, 250 days Serving
Evelyn Sanguinetti
(born 1970)
Evelyn Sanguinetti 2015.jpg  Illinois Republican January 12, 2015 January 14, 2019 4 years, 2 days Lost reelection
Jenean Hampton
(born 1958)
Women for Lt. Governor Jenean Hampton.jpg  Kentucky Republican December 8, 2015 December 10, 2019 4 years, 2 days Retired
Donna Lynne
(born 1953)
Donna Lynne.jpg  Colorado Democratic May 12, 2016 January 8, 2019 2 years, 241 days Retired to run for Democratic nomination for 2018 Colorado gubernatorial election (Defeated in primary)
Suzanne Crouch
(born 1952)
170905-Z-PM441-6534 (cropped 2).jpg  Indiana Republican January 9, 2017 Incumbent 4 years, 249 days Serving
Bethany Hall-Long
(born 1963)
Bethany Hall-Long.jpg  Delaware Democratic January 17, 2017 Incumbent 4 years, 241 days Serving
Michelle Fischbach
(born 1965)
Lieutenant Governor Michelle Fischbach.jpg  Minnesota Republican January 3, 2018 January 7, 2019 1 year, 4 days Retired[i]
Sheila Oliver
(born 1952)
Lt Gov Sheila Oliver.jpeg  New Jersey Democratic January 16, 2018 Incumbent 3 years, 242 days Serving
Valerie Davidson
(born 1967)
No image.svg  Alaska Independent October 16, 2018 December 3, 2018 48 days Retired
Janice McGeachin
(born 1963)
Janice McGeachin.jpg  Idaho Republican January 6, 2019 Incumbent 2 years, 252 days Serving
Peggy Flanagan
(born 1979)
PeggyFlanagan.jpg  Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor January 7, 2019 Incumbent 2 years, 251 days Serving
Eleni Kounalakis
(born 1966)
Eleni Tsakopoulos Kounalakis (cropped).jpg  California Democratic January 7, 2019 Incumbent 2 years, 251 days Serving
Kate Marshall
(born 1959)
No image.svg  Nevada Democratic January 7, 2019 Incumbent 2 years, 251 days Serving
Jeanette Núñez
(born 1972)
Jeanette Nunez official photo (cropped).jpg  Florida Republican January 8, 2019 Incumbent 2 years, 250 days Serving
Dianne Primavera
(born 1950)
2010 Official Picture of Representative Dianne Primavera (cropped).jpg  Colorado Democratic January 8, 2019 Incumbent 2 years, 250 days Serving
Susan Bysiewicz
(born 1961)
SusanBysiewiczPic (cropped).JPG  Connecticut Democratic January 9, 2019 Incumbent 2 years, 249 days Serving
Pamela Evette
(born 1967)
Pamela Evette SC (cropped).jpeg  South Carolina Republican January 9, 2019 Incumbent 2 years, 249 days Serving
Juliana Stratton
(born 1965)
Juliana Stratton 2018.jpg  Illinois Democratic January 14, 2019 Incumbent 2 years, 244 days Serving
Jacqueline Coleman
(born 1982)
Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman. Official Portrait.jpg  Kentucky Democratic December 10, 2019 Incumbent 1 year, 279 days Serving
Deidre Henderson
(born 1974)
D Henderson.JPG  Utah Republican January 4, 2021 Incumbent 254 days Serving
Kristen Juras
(born 1955)
Kristen Juras 2021.jpg  Montana Republican January 4, 2021 Incumbent 254 days Serving
Molly Gray
(born 1984)
Molly Gray.jpg  Vermont Democratic January 7, 2021 Incumbent 251 days Serving
Sabina Matos
(born 1974)
 Rhode Island Democratic April 14, 2021 Incumbent 154 days Serving
Andrea Stewart-Cousins
(born 1950)
 New York Democratic August 24, 2021 September 9, 2021 16 days Acting spell ended

List of female secretaries of state[]

Certain states do not have a lieutenant governor; instead they have a Secretary of State next in line for succession of governor.

  Denotes incumbent Secretary of State
  • Italics denotes acting Secretary of State
Name Image State Party Mandate start Mandate end Term length Notes
Thyra Thomson
(1916–2013)
No image.svg  Wyoming Republican January 7, 1963 January 5, 1987 23 years, 363 days Retired
Norma Paulus
(1933–2019)
Portrait of Norma J. Paulus.jpg  Oregon Republican January 3, 1977 January 7, 1985 8 years, 4 days Retired to run as the Republican nominee for Governor in 1986 (Defeated)
Rose Mofford
(1922–2016)
Rose Mofford 2012.jpg  Arizona Democratic October 20, 1977 April 4, 1988 10 years, 167 days Succeeded as governor upon impeachment and conviction of Governor Evan Mecham
Barbara Roberts
(born 1936)
Governor Barbara Roberts.jpg  Oregon Democratic January 7, 1985 January 14, 1991 6 years, 7 days Retired to run as the Democratic nominee for Governor in 1990 (Elected)
Kathy Karpan
(born 1942)
Kathy Karpan OSMRE.jpg  Wyoming Democratic January 5, 1987 January 3, 1995 7 years, 363 days Retired to run as the Democratic nominee for Governor in 1994 (Defeated)
Diana J. Ohman
(born 1950)
No image.svg  Wyoming Republican January 3, 1995 January 3, 1999 4 years, 0 days Retired
Jane Dee Hull
(1935–2020)
Jane Dee Hull 2001 cropped.jpg  Arizona Republican January 2, 1995 September 5, 1997 2 years, 246 days Succeeded as governor upon resignation of Governor Fife Symington
Betsey Bayless
(born 1944)
No image.svg  Arizona Republican September 5, 1997 January 6, 2003 5 years, 123 days Retired to run for Governor in 2002 (Defeated in primary)
Jan Brewer
(born 1944)
Jan Brewer by Gage Skidmore 3.jpg  Arizona Republican January 6, 2003 January 21, 2009 5 years, 350 days Succeeded as governor upon resignation of Governor Janet Napolitano
Kate Brown
(born 1960)
Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown, cropped.jpg  Oregon Democratic January 5, 2009 February 18, 2015 6 years, 44 days Succeeded as governor upon resignation of Governor John Kitzhaber
Michele Reagan
(born 1969)
Michele Reagan by Gage Skidmore.jpg  Arizona Republican January 5, 2015 January 7, 2019 4 years, 2 days Lost renomination
Jeanne Atkins
(born 1949/1950)
Jeanne Atkins cropped 2.jpg  Oregon Democratic March 11, 2015 January 2, 2017 1 year, 297 days Retired
Karen Wheeler
(born 19??)
No image.svg  Wyoming Republican February 9, 2018 March 1, 2018 20 days Acting spell ended
Katie Hobbs
(born 1969)
Katie Hobbs by Gage Skidmore.jpg  Arizona Democratic January 7, 2019 Incumbent 2 years, 251 days Serving
Beverly Clarno
(born 1936)
No image.svg  Oregon Republican March 31, 2019 January 4, 2021 2 years, 168 days Retired
Shemia Fagan
(born 1981)
Rep. Shemia Fagan (9515724183) (cropped).jpg  Oregon Democratic January 4, 2021 Incumbent 254 days Serving

List of female Senate presidents[]

Three states — Maine, New Hampshire, and Tennessee — do not have a Lieutenant Governor, and do not have the Secretary of State as first in the line of succession to the Governor. In these two states, the President of the State Senate is first in line to succeed the Governor.

  Denotes incumbent Senate President
  • Italics denotes acting Senate President
Name Image State Party Mandate start Mandate end Term length Notes
Vesta M. Roy
(1925–2002)
No image.svg  New Hampshire Republican December 1, 1982 December 3, 1986 4 years, 2 days Served as Acting Governor of New Hampshire from December 29, 1982 to January 6, 1983. Retired.
Beverly Hollingworth
(born 1935)
No image.svg  New Hampshire Democratic August 26, 1999 December 6, 2000 1 year, 102 days Party lost Senate majority
Beverly Daggett
(1945–2015)
No image.svg  Maine Democratic December 4, 2002 December 1, 2004 1 year, 363 days Term-limited from the Senate
Beth Edmonds
(born 1950)
Sen President Beth Edmonds Dec 2006.JPG  Maine Democratic December 1, 2004 December 3, 2008 4 years, 2 days Term-limited from the Senate
Sylvia Larsen
(born 1949)
Senator Sylvia B. Larsen.jpg  New Hampshire Democratic December 5, 2006 December 1, 2010 3 years, 361 days Party lost Senate majority
Libby Mitchell
(born 1940)
LibbyMitchell (cropped).jpg  Maine Democratic December 3, 2008 December 1, 2010 1 year, 363 days Retired to run as the Democratic nominee for Governor in 2010 (Defeated)
Donna Soucy
(born 1967)
Donna Soucy SNHU 2016 closeup.jpg  New Hampshire Democratic December 5, 2018 December 2, 2020 1 year, 363 days Party lost Senate majority

See also[]

Notes[]

  1. ^ Later served as the Governor of Vermont (1985–1991)
  2. ^ Previously served as the U.S. Representative from Michigan 17th (1955–1974)
  3. ^ Later served as U.S. Representative from Hawaii 2nd (2007-2013) & U.S. Senator from Hawaii (2013–present)
  4. ^ Elected as a Republican in 1994, but switched to Democratic in 1997
  5. ^ Later became Governor of Oklahoma (2011–2019)
  6. ^ Elected as a Reformer, but Minnesota party split from Reform in 2000 and changed name to the Independence Party
  7. ^ Elected as a Democrat in 1999, but switched to Republican in 2002
  8. ^ Previously served as the U.S. Representative from New York 26th (20112013)
  9. ^ Later served as the U.S. Representative from Minnesota 7th (2021–present)

References[]

  1. ^ "Minnesota: Where Female Lieutenant Governors Reign". Smart Politics. January 17, 2014. Retrieved December 31, 2015.
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