History of the Office of the Lieutenant Governor

The Office of the Lt. Governor was created by the Constitution on 1864. The Lieutenant Governor served as president of the Senate, and acted as Governor in case of the death, resignation, removal from the state, or other disqualification of the governor. The only incumbent of that office under the Constitution of 1864 was elected on November 8, 1864, and took the oath of office on January 11, 1865. He served until January 8, 1868, although the term as specified by the constitution was for four years. The Constitution of 1867 did not provide for a Lieutenant Governor. The office was reestablished by a constitutional amendment ratified on November 3, 1970.