| Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Style |
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| Member of |
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| Residence | Hawkins-Hartness House (official office) |
| Seat | Raleigh,North Carolina |
| Term length | Four years, renewable once consecutively |
| Constituting instrument | North Carolina Constitution of 1868 |
| Inaugural holder | Tod R. Caldwell |
| Formation | 1868 |
| Succession | First |
| Salary | US$168,384 per year (2025) |
| Website | Official website |
Thelieutenant governor of North Carolina is the second-highest elected official in the U.S. state ofNorth Carolina and is the only elected official to have powers in both the legislative and executive branches of state government. A member of theNorth Carolina Council of State, the lieutenant governor serves a four-year term with a two consecutive term limit. The current lieutenant governor isRachel Hunt, aDemocrat, who has held the office since 2025. TheConstitution of North Carolina designates the lieutenant governor theex officio president of theState Senate and a member of theState Board of Education. They are also required to serve as acting governor of the state in the event of thegovernor's absence, and assume the governorship in the event it becomes vacant.
Five lieutenant governors have succeeded to the governorship throughout the office's history due to a vacancy. The constitution allows the governor andGeneral Assembly to assign the lieutenant governor additional duties, and the lieutenant governor has thus been accorded membership on and responsibility for several appointments on other state boards. Unlike other Council of State offices, there is no mechanism to fill a vacancy in the lieutenant governorship between elections. From its creation in 1868 up until the 1970s, the lieutenant governorship was a single-term, part-time position largely confined to legislative duties when the General Assembly was in session. Most of the candidates who sought the office were veteran legislators seeking a final prestigious accomplishment for their careers. In 1971, new legislation declared it a full-time job.
In 1972, theDemocratic-controlled General Assembly expanded the office's resources to challenge the incomingRepublican governor. In 1977, the lieutenant governor was constitutionally authorized to serve two consecutive terms. The office's political prominence increased over the years following the succession amendment and the legislature continued to expand its powers. Upon a Republican's assumption of lieutenant gubernatorial office in 1989, Democrats in the Senate modified the body's rules, stripping the office of its long-standing powers to appoint committees in that house and assign bills to those committees. With the shift away from legislative duties, the office became increasingly used as a means to enhance its incumbents' bids for higher office; lieutenant governors have often run for governor, but few have been successful.
The most recent Lieutenant Governor to pass away wasRobert B. Jordan at age 87 in 2020
The oldest living former Lieutenant Governor isJim Gardner at age 92
Under North Carolina's firstconstitution in 1776, the state's executive authority was exercised by thegovernor.[1] It accorded the duty of presiding over theNorth Carolina Senate to aspeaker of the Senate, who was also to act as governor in case that office became vacant.[2] The office of lieutenant governor was created by the state's 1868 constitution.[3] The lieutenant governor—who was to be chosen by popular election—replaced the speaker of the Senate as that body's presiding officer and assumed the former office's role in succeeding to the governorship in the event it became vacant.[2] Furthermore, the constitution made the official anex officio member of the newly createdState Board of Education.[4]
From 1868 until 1970, presiding over the Senate was the lieutenant governor's primary role, and in that capacity they appointed senators to committees (a power accorded to them by Senate rules[5]) and oversaw the passage of legislation.[a] The job was a part-time position, since the lieutenant governor served only when theGeneral Assembly was in session or in the absence of the governor.[7] What other functions they performed were largely ceremonial, and the office attracted little public attention.[8][9] From 1943 to 1954, by informal arrangement, the official chaired the State Board of Education.[10] Constitutional revisions which took effect in 1971 made the lieutenant governor a member of theCouncil of State.[8] The Executive Reorganization Act of 1971 affirmed the role of lieutenant governor as a full-time job.[11] With the election ofJames Holshouser as governor in 1972—the firstRepublican to win the office in decades—theDemocratic majority in the General Assembly was compelled to raise the stature of the office of the lieutenant governor, which was held by DemocratJim Hunt. It raised the job's salary from $5,000 to $30,000 per year, increased the office operating budget, and expanded its staff from two to five.[12]
From 1868 to 1977, the lieutenant governor and the governor were limited to standalone four-year terms. In 1977, the state constitution was amended to allow both the governor and the lieutenant governor to serve two consecutive terms.[13]James C. Green, who served from 1977 to 1985, was the first lieutenant governor to serve consecutive terms.[14][15] The office's political prominence increased over the years following the succession amendment and the legislature continued to expand its powers.[16] Green led the Senate in an effort at the onset of his term to make the lieutenant governor theex officio chair of the State Board of Education by law, directly challenging the authority of Hunt, who had since become governor and was responsible for recommending the board's chair. The proposal was ultimately defeated in theHouse of Representatives.[10]
Despite this, the legislature granted the lieutenant governor automatic membership on several state boards and significant appointment responsibilities.[17] By 1982, North Carolina had one of the most powerful lieutenant governorships in the country.[5] By 1989, the lieutenant governor was responsible for 195 appointments to 87 state boards (106 of these were subject to legislative confirmation).[16] Despite this, the officials experienced mistrust from the Senate and faced several unsuccessful attempts to strip them of their appointive powers.[18][19] From 1985 to 1989, DemocratRobert B. Jordan served as lieutenant governor while RepublicanJames G. Martin served as governor, making him thede facto leader of theNorth Carolina Democratic Party.[20] Upon RepublicanJim Gardner's assumption of lieutenant gubernatorial office in 1989, Democrats in the Senate modified the body's rules, stripping the office of its powers to appoint committees in that house and assign bills to its committees.[21][22] During Gardner's tenure, the office's staff was further expanded.[23] In 1997 the General Assembly debated modifying the constitution to provide for the election of the lieutenant governor on a jointticket with the governor or to have the office assume the responsibilities of theNorth Carolina Secretary of State, but these proposals did not move forward.[24] Another effort in 2015 to amend the constitution to provide for the office's joint ticket election with the governor failed.[25]
Three lieutenant governors assumed the office of governor upon the death of the incumbent:Curtis H. Brogden in 1874,Thomas M. Holt in 1891, andLuther H. Hodges in 1954.Tod R. Caldwell in 1870 assumed the office upon the previous governor's impeachment and removal, andThomas J. Jarvis assumed it in 1879 upon the incumbent's resignation.[26] Historically, the lieutenant governorship was often sought by veteran state legislators as a final prestigious accomplishment for their careers. With the shift away from legislative duties after the 1970s, the office became increasingly used as a means to enhance incumbents' bids for higher office;[27][28] lieutenant governors have often run for governor, but few have been successful.[29][30][1][31]Bev Perdue was the first woman to serve as lieutenant governor,[32] whileMark Robinson, sworn in in 2021, was the first black person to ever be elected to the office.[33][34] The incumbent,Rachel Hunt, was sworn in on January 1, 2025.[35]
As with other state officials, only qualified voters in North Carolina are eligible to be elected lieutenant governor. Unlike most other candidates, who must be at least 21 years of age, any potential lieutenant governor—like the governor—must be at least 30 years of age.[36] They must also have been acitizen of the United States for at least five years and a resident of North Carolina for at least two years preceding election. Like the governor, the lieutenant governor is elected every four years thereafter, but is elected on their own ticket.[37] Contested elections for the office of lieutenant governor are resolved by a majority vote of the General Assembly.[38] Their term of office begins on January 1 following their election.[39] They serve for a four-year term and until their successor has assumed office.[40] The lieutenant governor is limited to serving two consecutive terms in office, with no limits on nonconsecutive terms.[41]
The lieutenant governor is the only officer in North Carolina vested with responsibilities in both the executive and legislative branches of state government.[7] The constitution designates the lieutenant governor the President of the Senate.[42] In this capacity they direct the debate on bills and maintain order in that house,[7][43] but have little influence over its workflow.[44] They cannot cast a vote in the Senate except to break ties.[45] In the event of a gubernatorial vacancy, the constitution requires the lieutenant governor to assume the governorship. If the governor is temporarily incapacitated or absent, the lieutenant governor is to serve as acting governor.[42][b] In the event the governor-elect fails to qualify for their office, the lieutenant governor-elect becomes governor.[41]
The constitution makes the lieutenant governorex officio a member of theNorth Carolina Board of Education[42] and one of the ten state officers who comprise the Council of State.[47] They are alsoex officio a member of the North Carolina Capital Planning Commission, the State Board ofCommunity Colleges, and the State Board of Economic Development.[7] They have the power to appoint some members of other executive state boards,[48] though state law does not grant them the power to create their own official boards.[49] The constitution allows the governor and General Assembly to assign the lieutenant governor additional duties.[42] State law empowers the lieutenant governor to oversee the awarding of the North Carolina Medal of Valor for law enforcement officers.[50]
The lieutenant governor's office is located in theHawkins-Hartness House onBlount Street in Raleigh.[51] They also have an office in theNorth Carolina State Legislative Building.[52][53] They retain a staff to assist in carrying out their functions.[7] As of January 2025, the office has eight employees retained under the terms of the State Human Resources Act.[54] They are provided with a security detail supplied by theNorth Carolina Highway Patrol.[55][56] As with all Council of State officers, the lieutenant governor's salary is fixed by the General Assembly and cannot be reduced during their term of office.[57] As of 2025, the lieutenant governor's annual salary is $168,384.[58]
Unlike with other officers on the Council of State, the governor of North Carolina cannot appoint an interim officer in the event the lieutenant governor's office becomes vacant. In such an instance, the lieutenant governor's role in the Senate is assumed by thepresident pro tempore.[59] In the event that the lieutenant governor isimpeached by theNorth Carolina House of Representatives, the chief justice of theNorth Carolina Supreme Court presides over the court of impeachment, composed at minimum of a majority of the members of the State Senate. A two-thirds affirmative vote of the senators present constitutes a conviction and thus removal and future disqualification from holding office.[60] Avenues for removing the lieutenant governor from office in circumstances other than impeachment—such as a lack of physical or mental capacity—may be determined by law.[61]
Democratic (30) Republican (6)
| # | Image | Lieutenant governor | Term of office | Political party | Governor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Tod R. Caldwell | 1868–1870[62] | Republican | William W. Holden (R) |
| Office vacant from 1870–1873 | |||||
| 2 | _portrait.jpg) | Curtis H. Brogden | 1873 – July 1874[62] | Republican | Tod R. Caldwell (R) |
| Office vacant from July 1874 – January 1, 1877 | |||||
| 3 |  | Thomas J. Jarvis | January 1, 1877 – February 5, 1879[62] | Democratic | Zebulon B. Vance (D) |
| 4 |  | James L. Robinson | February 5, 1879[c]– October 31, 1884[d][62] | Democratic | Thomas J. Jarvis (D) |
| Office vacant from October 31, 1884 – January 21, 1885 | |||||
| 5 |  | Charles M. Stedman | January 21, 1885 – January 17, 1889[62] | Democratic | Alfred Moore Scales (D) |
| 6 |  | Thomas M. Holt | January 17, 1889 – April 7, 1891[62] | Democratic | Daniel Gould Fowle (D) |
| Office vacant April 7, 1891 –[?], 1893 | |||||
| 7 |  | Rufus A. Doughton | 1893–1897[62] | Democratic | Elias Carr (D) |
| 8 |  | Charles A. Reynolds | 1897–1901[62] | Republican | Daniel Lindsay Russell (R) |
| 9 |  | Wilfred D. Turner | 1901–1905[62] | Democratic | Charles Brantley Aycock (D) |
| 10 |  | Francis D. Winston | 1905–1909[62] | Democratic | Robert Broadnax Glenn (D) |
| 11 |  | William C. Newland | 1909–1913[62] | Democratic | William Walton Kitchin (D) |
| 12 |  | Elijah L. Daughtridge | January 15, 1913 – January 11, 1917[62] | Democratic | Locke Craig (D) |
| 13 |  | Oliver Max Gardner | January 11, 1917 – January 12, 1921[62] | Democratic | Thomas Walter Bickett (D) |
| 14 |  | William B. Cooper | 1921–1925[62] | Democratic | Cameron A. Morrison (D) |
| 15 |  | J. Elmer Long | 1925–1929[62] | Democratic | Angus Wilton McLean (D) |
| 16 |  | Richard T. Fountain | 1929–1933[62] | Democratic | Oliver Max Gardner (D) |
| 17 |  | Alexander H. Graham | 1933–1937[62] | Democratic | John C. B. Ehringhaus (D) |
| 18 | _(cropped).jpg) | Wilkins P. Horton | 1937–1941[62] | Democratic | Clyde R. Hoey (D) |
| 19 |  | Reginald L. Harris | 1941–1945[62] | Democratic | J. Melville Broughton (D) |
| 20 | .jpg) | Lynton Y. Ballentine | January 4, 1945 – January 6, 1949[62] | Democratic | R. Gregg Cherry (D) |
| 21 |  | Hoyt Patrick Taylor | January 6, 1949 – January 8, 1953[62] | Democratic | W. Kerr Scott (D) |
| 22 | _(cropped).jpg) | Luther H. Hodges | January 8, 1953 – November 7, 1954[62] | Democratic | William B. Umstead (D) |
| Office vacant November 7, 1954 –[?], 1957 | |||||
| 23 |  | Luther E. Barnhardt | 1957 – January 5, 1961[62] | Democratic | Luther H. Hodges (D) |
| 24 |  | Harvey Cloyd Philpott | January 5 – August 19, 1961[15] | Democratic | Terry Sanford (D) |
| Office vacant August 19, 1961 – January 8, 1965 | |||||
| 25 | .jpg) | Robert W. Scott | January 8, 1965 – January 3, 1969[62] | Democratic | Dan K. Moore (D) |
| 26 |  | Hoyt Patrick Taylor Jr. | January 3, 1969 – January 6, 1973[62] | Democratic | Robert W. Scott (D) |
| 27 |  | Jim Hunt | January 5, 1973 – January 8, 1977[62] | Democratic | James Holshouser (R) |
| 28 |  | James C. Green | January 8, 1977 – January 5, 1985[62] | Democratic | Jim Hunt (D) |
| 29 | .jpg) | Robert B. Jordan | January 5, 1985 – January 7, 1989[62] | Democratic | James G. Martin (R) |
| 30 |  | Jim Gardner | January 7, 1989 – January 9, 1993[62] | Republican | |
| 31 | .jpg) | Dennis Wicker | January 9, 1993 – January 6, 2001[63] | Democratic | Jim Hunt (D) |
| 32 |  | Bev Perdue | January 6, 2001 – January 10, 2009[63] | Democratic | Mike Easley (D) |
| 33 |  | Walter Dalton | January 10, 2009 – January 7, 2013[64] | Democratic | Bev Perdue (D) |
| 34 | .jpg) | Dan Forest | January 7, 2013 – January 9, 2021[65] | Republican | Pat McCrory (R) (2013–2017) |
| Roy Cooper (D) (2017–2021) | |||||
| 35 | .png) | Mark Robinson | January 9, 2021 – January 1, 2025[34] | Republican | Roy Cooper (D) |
| 36 | .jpg) | Rachel Hunt | January 1, 2025 – present[35] | Democratic | Josh Stein (D) |
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