Michigan Lieutenant Governor

Lieutenant Governor of the State of Michigan
Incumbent Brian Calley since January 1, 2011
Appointer	Popularly Elected With the Governor
Term length	4 Years
Inaugural holder	Edward Mundy
Formation	January 26, 1837
Website	michigan.gov/ltgov

The Lieutenant Governor of Michigan is the second-ranking official in U.S. state of Michigan, behind the governor, and one of four great offices of state. The holder of this office is afforded the courtesy title of the Honorable (abbreviated to Hon. or Hon'ble) for life.

The current lieutenant governor is Brian Calley, a Republican, who has held the office since January 1, 2011.

In Michigan, the governor and lieutenant governor are elected as a ticket to serve a term of four years. The election takes place two years after each presidential election; thus, the next election will take place on November 6, 2018.

Following the August primary election in each gubernatorial election year, the state's two largest political parties convene a state convention and nominate candidates for lieutenant governor, secretary of state and attorney general, among other offices. Because the governor and lieutenant governor are elected as a ticket, the party's gubernatorial nominee usually makes the de facto decision as to whom the party will nominate for lieutenant governor, then convention delegates officially confirm the designation.

Historically, the governor and lieutenant governor were elected separately, leading to occasions where Republicans controlled one office and the Democrats another (as with George Romney and T. John Lesinski). This changed with the Michigan Constitution of 1963.

After the November general election, the governor and lieutenant governor take office on January 1. Thus, the winners of the 2010 election began their term on January 1, 2011.

Like the governor, the lieutenant governor is allowed to serve up to two terms in office.

There are three main duties assigned to the lieutenant governor:

These days, the lieutenant governor also acts as an assistant to the governor. When the governor is unable to attend a function, for instance, the lieutenant governor may be sent in place of the governor. The lieutenant governor will also occasionally head blue-ribbon commissions into pressing public policy issues.