List of female lieutenant governors in the United States

The article is a list of American female politicians that were in positions that would succeed to become governor because of a governor absence. The article is sorted by default by when they started their position.

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

  Denotes incumbent lieutenant governor

• 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, 106 days	Serving
Rebecca Kleefisch		Wisconsin	Republican	3 January 2011	Incumbent	5 years, 122 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, 120 days	Serving
Mary Taylor		Ohio	Republican	10 January 2011	Incumbent	5 years, 115 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, 111 days	Serving
Kay Ivey		Alabama	Republican	17 January 2011	Incumbent	5 years, 108 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, 124 days	Serving. Former U.S. Representative for New York 26th (2011-2013)
Tina Smith		Minnesota	Democratic	5 January 2015	Incumbent	1 year, 120 days	Serving
Karyn Polito		Massachusetts	Republican	8 January 2015	Incumbent	1 year, 117 days	Serving
Evelyn Sanguinetti		Illinois	Republican	12 January 2015	Incumbent	1 year, 113 days	Serving
Jenean Hampton		Kentucky	Republican	8 December 2015	Incumbent	148 days	Serving

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 lieutenant 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, 120 days	Serving
Jeanne Atkins		Oregon	Democratic	11 March 2015	Incumbent	1 year, 54 days	Serving

References