List of female lieutenant governors in the United States
As of November 2016, there are 12 women currently serving as lieutenant governors in the United States. 86 women have served overall.
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.
In 1978, Jean King (D), was elected as the first female Asian-American Lieutenant Governor, when she was elected Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii.
In 2002, Jennette Bradley (R), was elected as the first female African-American Lieutenant Governor, when she was elected Lieutenant Governor of Ohio.
In 2010, Jennifer Carroll (R), was elected as the first female military veteran Lieutenant Governor, when she was elected Lieutenant Governor of Florida.
In 2014, Evelyn Sanguinetti (R), was elected as the first female Hispanic or Latino Lieutenant Governor, when she was elected Lieutenant Governor of Illinois.
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.
Minnesota has had the most female lieutenant governors or other deputy leaders of any state in the Union, with 7 consecutive female lieutenant governors since 1983 to the present day; ironically, no female politician has been nominated by any major statewide party to Minnesota's gubernatorial elections.[1]
List of female state lieutenant governors
- Italics denotes acting acting lieutenant governor
Name | Image | State | Party | Mandate start | Mandate end | Term length | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Matilda Dodge Wilson | Michigan | Republican | 1 January 1940 | 1 January 1941 | 1 year, 0 days | Retired | |
Consuelo N. Bailey | Vermont | Republican | 1 January 1955 | 1 January 1957 | 2 years, 0 days | Retired | |
Maude Frazier | Nevada | Democratic | 1 January 1962 | 1 January 1963 | 1 year, 0 days | Retired | |
Thelma Stovall | Kentucky | Democratic | 1 January 1975 | 11 December 1979 | 4 years, 344 days | Retired to run for the Democratic nomination for Governor in 1978 (Defeated in primary) | |
Mary Anne Krupsak | New York | Democratic | 1 January 1975 | 31 December 1978 | 3 years, 364 days | Retired to run for the Democratic nomination for Governor in 1978 (Defeated in primary) | |
Evelyn Gandy | Mississippi | Democratic | 20 January 1976 | 22 January 1980 | 4 years, 2 days | Retired to run for the Democratic nomination for Governor in 1979 (Defeated in primary) | |
Jean King | Hawaii | Democratic | 2 December 1978 | 2 December 1982 | 4 years, 0 days | Retired to run for the Democratic nomination for Governor in 1982 (Defeated in primary) | |
Nancy E. Dick | Colorado | Democratic | 1 January 1979 | 1 January 1987 | 8 years, 0 days | Retired | |
Nancy Stevenson | South Carolina | Democratic | 10 January 1979 | 12 January 1983 | 4 years, 2 days | Retired | |
Madeleine M. Kunin | Vermont | Democratic | 10 January 1979 | 10 January 1983 | 4 years, 0 days | Retired to run for the Democratic nomination for Governor in 1982 (Defeated in primary). Later Governor of Vermont (1985-1991) | |
Martha Layne Collins | Kentucky | Democratic | 11 December 1979 | 13 December 1983 | 4 years, 2 days | Retired to run as the Democratic nominee for Governor in 1983 (Elected). Governor of Kentucky (1983-1987) | |
Martha Griffiths | Michigan | Democratic | 1 January 1983 | 1 January 1991 | 8 years, 0 days | Retired. Previously U.S. Congresswoman for Michigan 17th (1955-1974) | |
Marlene Johnson | Minnesota | Democratic | 3 January 1983 | 7 January 1991 | 8 years, 4 days | Defeated | |
Ruth Meiers | North Dakota | Democratic | 1 January 1985 | 19 March 1987 | 2 years, 77 days | Died | |
Harriett Woods | Missouri | Democratic | 14 January 1985 | 9 January 1989 | 3 years, 361 days | Retired | |
Evelyn Murphy | Massachusetts | Democratic | 1 January 1987 | 1 January 1991 | 4 years, 0 days | Retired to run for the Democratic nomination for Governor in 1990 (Dropped out of primary) | |
Jo Ann Zimmerman | Iowa | Democratic | 1 January 1987 | 1 January 1991 | 4 years, 0 days | Defeated | |
Connie Binsfeld | Michigan | Republican | 1 January 1991 | 1 January 1999 | 8 years, 0 days | Retired | |
Joy Corning | Iowa | Republican | 1 January 1991 | 15 January 1999 | 8 years, 14 days | Retired run for the Republican nomination for Governor in 1998 (Dropped out of primary) | |
Maxine Moul | Nebraska | Democratic | 1 January 1991 | 5 October 1993 | 2 years, 277 days | Resigned | |
Joanell Dyrstad | Minnesota | Republican | 7 January 1991 | 3 January 1995 | 3 years, 361 days | Retired to run for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in 1994 (Defeated in primary) | |
Sue Wagner | Nevada | Republican | 7 January 1991 | 2 January 1995 | 3 years, 360 days | Retired | |
Eunice Groark | Connecticut | A Connecticut Party | 9 January 1991 | 4 January 1995 | 3 years, 360 days | Retired to run as the A Connecticut Party nominee for Governor in 1994 (Defeated) | |
Melinda Schwegmann | Louisiana | Democratic | 13 January 1992 | 8 January 1996 | 3 years, 360 days | Retired to run for the Democratic nomination for Governor in 1995 (Defeated in primary) | |
Rosemarie Myrdal | North Dakota | Republican | 15 December 1992 | 15 December 2000 | 8 years, 0 days | Retired | |
Barbara W. Snelling | Vermont | Republican | 1 January 1993 | 1 January 1997 | 4 years, 0 days | Retired | |
Olene Walker | Utah | Republican | 4 January 1993 | 5 November 2003 | 10 years, 305 days | Resigned to become Governor of Utah (2003-2005) | |
Ruth Ann Minner | Delaware | Democratic | 19 January 1993 | 3 January 2001 | 7 years, 350 days | Retired to run as the Democratic nominee for Governor in 2000 (Elected). Governor of Delaware (2001-2009) | |
Kim M. Robak | Nebraska | Democratic | 5 October 1993 | 7 January 1999 | 5 years, 98 days | Retired | |
Mazie Hirono | Hawaii | Democratic | 2 December 1994 | 2 December 2002 | 8 years, 0 days | Retired to run as the Democratic nominee for Governor in 2002 (Defeated). Later served U.S. Congresswoman for Hawaii 2nd (2007-2013) & U.S. Senator for Hawaii (2013-present) | |
Fran Ulmer | Alaska | Democratic | 5 December 1994 | 2 December 2002 | 7 years, 362 days | Retired to run as the Democratic nominee for Governor in 2002 (Defeated) | |
Gail Schoettler | Colorado | Democratic | 12 January 1995 | 12 January 1999 | 4 years, 11 days | Retired to run as the Democratic nominee for Governor in 1998 (Defeated) | |
Carole Hillard | South Dakota | Republican | 1 January 1995 | 1 January 2003 | 8 years, 0 days | Retired | |
Betsy McCaughey | New York | Republican | 1 January 1995 | 31 December 1998 | 3 years, 364 days | Retired to run for the Democratic nomination for Governor in 1998 (Defeated in primary) | |
Joanne Benson | Minnesota | Republican | 3 January 1995 | 4 January 1999 | 4 years, 1 day | Retired to run for the Republican nomination for Governor in 1998 (Defeated in primary) | |
Jodi Rell | Connecticut | Republican | 4 January 1995 | 1 July 2004 | 9 years, 179 days | Resigned to become Governor of Connecticut (2004-2011) | |
Nancy Hollister | Ohio | Republican | 9 January 1995 | 31 December 1998 | 3 years, 356 days | Resigned to become Governor of Ohio (1998-1999) | |
Sheila Frahm | Kansas | Republican | 9 January 1995 | 11 June 1996 | 1 year, 154 days | Resigned to become U.S. Senator for Kansas (1996-1996) | |
Mary Fallin | Oklahoma | Republican | 9 January 1995 | 2 January 2007 | 11 years, 358 days | Retired to become the U.S. Representative for Oklahoma 5th (2007-2011). Later became Governor of Oklahoma (2011-present) | |
Kathleen Kennedy Townsend | Maryland | Democratic | 18 January 1995 | 15 January 2003 | 7 years, 362 days | Retired to run as the Democratic nominee for Governor in 2002 (Defeated) | |
Kathleen Blanco | Louisiana | Democratic | 8 January 1996 | 12 January 2004 | 8 years, 4 days | Retired to run as the Democratic nominee for Governor in 2003 (Elected). Governor of Louisiana (2004-2008) | |
Judy Martz | Montana | Republican | 6 January 1997 | 1 January 2001 | 3 years, 361 days | Retired to run as the Republican nominee for Governor in 2000 (Elected). Governor of Montana (2001-2005) | |
Mary Donohue | New York | Republican | 1 January 1999 | 31 December 2006 | 7 years, 364 days | Retired to become a Judge of the New York Court of Claims | |
Lorraine Hunt | Nevada | Republican | 4 January 1999 | 20 January 2007 | 8 years, 16 days | Retired to run for the Republican nomination for Governor in 2006 (Defeated in primary) | |
Mae Schunk | Minnesota | Independence Party of Minnesota | 4 January 1999 | 6 January 2003 | 4 years, 2 days | Retired | |
Jane Swift | Massachusetts | Republican | 7 January 1999 | 2 January 2003 | 3 years, 360 days | Resigned to become Governor of Massachusetts (2001-2003) | |
Corinne Wood | Illinois | Republican | 11 January 1999 | 13 January 2003 | 4 years, 2 days | Retired to run for the Republican nomination for Governor in 2002 (Defeated in primary) | |
Maureen O'Connor | Ohio | Republican | 11 January 1999 | 31 December 2002 | 3 years, 354 days | Retired to run as the Republican nominee for Associate Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court (Elected) | |
Sally Pederson | Iowa | Democratic | 15 January 1999 | 12 January 2007 | 7 years, 362 days | Retired | |
Amy Tuck | Mississippi | Republican | 11 January 2000 | 10 January 2008 | 7 years, 364 days | Elected as a Democrat in 2000, but switched to Republican in 2002. Retired | |
Bev Perdue | North Carolina | Democratic | 6 January 2001 | 10 January 2009 | 8 years, 4 days | Retired to run as the Democrat nominee for Governor in 2008 (Elected). Governor of North Carolina (2009-2013) | |
Margaret Farrow | Wisconsin | Republican | 9 May 2001 | 6 January 2003 | 1 year, 242 days | Defeated | |
Diane Denish | New Mexico | Democratic | 1 January 2003 | 1 January 2011 | 8 years, 0 days | Retired to run as the Democrat nominee for Governor in 2010 (Defeated) | |
Kerry Healey | Massachusetts | Republican | 2 January 2003 | 4 January 2007 | 4 years, 2 days | Retired to run as the Republican nominee for Governor in 2006 (Defeated) | |
Carol Molnau | Minnesota | Republican | 6 January 2003 | 3 January 2011 | 7 years, 362 days | Retired | |
Barbara Lawton | Wisconsin | Democratic | 6 January 2003 | 3 January 2011 | 7 years, 362 days | Retired to run for the Democrat nomination for Governor in 2010 (Dropped out of primary) | |
Jennette Bradley | Ohio | Republican | 13 January 2003 | 5 January 2005 | 1 year, 358 days | Resigned to become Ohio State Treasurer | |
Jane E. Norton | Colorado | Republican | 13 January 2003 | 9 January 2007 | 3 years, 361 days | Retired | |
Lucy Baxley | Alabama | Democratic | 20 January 2003 | 15 January 2007 | 3 years, 360 days | Retired to run as the Democrat nominee for Governor in 2006 (Defeated) | |
Catherine Baker Knoll | Pennsylvania | Democratic | 21 January 2003 | 12 November 2008 | 5 years, 296 days | Died | |
Toni Jennings | Florida | Republican | 3 March 2003 | 2 January 2007 | 3 years, 305 days | Retired | |
Kathy Davis | Indiana | Democratic | 20 October 2003 | 10 January 2005 | 1 year, 82 days | Defeated | |
Becky Skillman | Indiana | Republican | 10 January 2005 | 14 January 2013 | 8 years, 4 days | Retired | |
Elizabeth H. Roberts | Rhode Island | Democratic | 2 January 2007 | 6 January 2015 | 8 years, 4 days | Retired | |
Jari Askins | Oklahoma | Democratic | 2 January 2007 | 10 January 2011 | 4 years, 8 days | Retired to run as the Democrat nominee for Governor in 2010 (Defeated) | |
Barbara O'Brien | Colorado | Democratic | 9 January 2007 | 11 January 2011 | 4 years, 2 days | Retired | |
Patty Judge | Iowa | Democratic | 12 January 2007 | 14 January 2011 | 4 years, 2 days | Defeated | |
Mona Pasquil | California | Democratic | 4 November 2009 | 27 April 2010 | 174 days | Retired | |
Kim Guadagno | New Jersey | Republican | 19 January 2010 | Incumbent | 6 years, 328 days | Serving | |
Rebecca Kleefisch | Wisconsin | Republican | 3 January 2011 | Incumbent | 5 years, 344 days | Serving | |
Yvonne Prettner Solon | Minnesota | Democratic | 3 January 2011 | 5 January 2015 | 4 years, 2 days | Retired | |
Jennifer Carroll | Florida | Republican | 4 January 2011 | 12 March 2013 | 2 years, 67 days | Resigned | |
Nancy Wyman | Connecticut | Democratic | 5 January 2011 | Incumbent | 5 years, 342 days | Serving | |
Mary Taylor | Ohio | Republican | 10 January 2011 | Incumbent | 5 years, 337 days | Serving | |
Sheila Simon | Illinois | Democratic | 10 January 2011 | 12 January 2015 | 4 years, 2 days | Retired to run as the Democrat nominee for Illinois Comptroller in 2014. (Defeated) | |
Kim Reynolds | Iowa | Republican | 14 January 2011 | Incumbent | 5 years, 333 days | Serving | |
Kay Ivey | Alabama | Republican | 17 January 2011 | Incumbent | 5 years, 330 days | Serving | |
Sue Ellspermann | Indiana | Republican | 14 January 2013 | 2 March 2016 | 3 years, 48 days | Resigned | |
Angela McLean | Montana | Democratic | 17 February 2014 | 3 January 2016 | 1 year, 320 days | Resigned | |
Crit Luallen | Kentucky | Democratic | 13 November 2014 | 8 December 2015 | 1 year, 25 days | Retired | |
Kathy Hochul | New York | Democratic | 1 January 2015 | Incumbent | 1 year, 346 days | Serving. Former U.S. Representative for New York 26th (2011-2013) | |
Tina Smith | Minnesota | Democratic | 5 January 2015 | Incumbent | 1 year, 342 days | Serving | |
Karyn Polito | Massachusetts | Republican | 8 January 2015 | Incumbent | 1 year, 339 days | Serving | |
Evelyn Sanguinetti | Illinois | Republican | 12 January 2015 | Incumbent | 1 year, 335 days | Serving | |
Jenean Hampton | Kentucky | Republican | 8 December 2015 | Incumbent | 1 year, 4 days | Serving | |
Donna Lynne | Colorado | Democratic | 12 May 2016 | Incumbent | 214 days | Serving | |
Suzanne Crouch | Indiana | Republican | 9 January 2017 | — | — | Elect | |
Bethany Hall-Long | Delaware | Democratic | 20 January 2017 | — | — | Elect |
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.
- Italics denotes acting acting lieutenant governor
Name | Image | State | Party | Mandate start | Mandate end | Term length | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Thyra Thomson | Wyoming | Republican | 7 January 1963 | 5 January 1987 | 23 years, 363 days | Retired | |
Norma Paulus | Oregon | Republican | 3 January 1977 | 7 January 1985 | 8 years, 4 days | Retired to run as the Republican nominee for Governor in 1986 (Defeated) | |
Rose Mofford | Arizona | Democratic | 20 October 1977 | 4 April 1988 | 10 years, 167 days | Resigned to become Governor of Arizona. Governor of Arizona (1988-1991) | |
Barbara Roberts | Oregon | Democratic | 7 January 1985 | 14 January 1991 | 6 years, 7 days | Retired to run as the Democratic nominee for Governor in 1990 (Elected) | |
Kathy Karpan | Wyoming | Democratic | 3 January 1987 | 3 January 1995 | 8 years, 0 days | Retired to run as the Democratic nominee for Governor in 1994 (Defeated) | |
Diana J. Ohman | Wyoming | Republican | 3 January 1995 | 3 January 1999 | 4 years, 0 days | Retired | |
Jane Dee Hull | Arizona | Republican | 2 January 1995 | 5 September 1997 | 2 years, 246 days | Resigned to become Governor of Arizona. Governor of Arizona (1997-2003) | |
Betsey Bayless | Arizona | Republican | 5 September 1997 | 6 January 2003 | 5 years, 123 days | Retired to run for Governor in 2002 (Defeated in primary) | |
Jan Brewer | Arizona | Republican | 21 January 2003 | 5 January 2009 | 5 years, 350 days | Resigned to become Governor of Arizona. Governor of Arizona (2009-2015) | |
Kate Brown | Oregon | Democratic | 5 January 2009 | 18 February 2015 | 6 years, 44 days | Succeeded to governor position when Governor John Kitzhaber resigned | |
Michele Reagan | Arizona | Republican | 5 January 2015 | Incumbent | 1 year, 342 days | Serving | |
Jeanne Atkins | Oregon | Democratic | 11 March 2015 | Incumbent | 1 year, 276 days | Serving | |