Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi
Encyclopedia
The Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi is the second-highest ranking executive officer in Mississippi
, right below the governor
. 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 President of the (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 concerning 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. For example, former Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck
, a Republican
, appointed other Republicans to the chairmanships of some committees, even though the Democrats
had a 4 seat majority. Given that power, it is argued that the office is more powerful than the governorship.
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.
There is a two term limit, with each term being 4 years long.
The majority of Mississippi Lieutenant Governors have been Democrats. Since the end of Reconstruction, there have been only three Republicans - Eddie Briggs
, who served from 1992 to 1996, Amy Tuck, who served from 2000 to 2008 and currently Phil Bryant, who took office in January 2008. Tuck was originally elected as a Democrat before switching to the Republican Party
in December of 2002. She was re-elected as a Republican in 2003.
See Also: List of Lieutenant Governors of Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
, right below the governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
. 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 President of the (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 concerning 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. For example, former Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck
Amy Tuck
Amy Tuck was the 30th Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi. A Republican, she is only the second woman elected to statewide office in Mississippi and the first to have been re-elected.-Biography:...
, a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
, appointed other Republicans to the chairmanships of some committees, even though the Democrats
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
had a 4 seat majority. Given that power, it is argued that the office is more powerful than the governorship.
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.
There is a two term limit, with each term being 4 years long.
The majority of Mississippi Lieutenant Governors have been Democrats. Since the end of Reconstruction, there have been only three Republicans - Eddie Briggs
Eddie Briggs
Eddie Briggs is a United States politician from De Kalb, Mississippi. Briggs served as the 28th Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi from 1992 to 1996 under Republican Governor Kirk Fordice. Briggs was the first Republican to hold the office of Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi since Reconstruction...
, who served from 1992 to 1996, Amy Tuck, who served from 2000 to 2008 and currently Phil Bryant, who took office in January 2008. Tuck was originally elected as a Democrat before switching to the Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
in December of 2002. She was re-elected as a Republican in 2003.
External links
See Also: List of Lieutenant Governors of Mississippi