🔥 Trending Who Will Be Arizona's First Lieutenant Governor?

As of July 23, 2026, Arizona does not currently have a lieutenant governor. The office of Lieutenant Governor of Arizona was established by voters in 2022 through the passage of Proposition 131, but it will not officially begin until January 4, 2027 ¹². Therefore, the first lieutenant governor of Arizona has not yet been elected or taken office.

Establishment of the Office

The creation of the lieutenant governor position in Arizona was the result of several failed attempts to establish the role, finally succeeding with a ballot measure in 2022 ². The primary motivation behind establishing this office was to address potential succession issues within the governor's office, which previously could lead to a change in party control if the governor's office became vacant ²⁶.

Role and Responsibilities

Once the office is active in 2027, the Lieutenant Governor of Arizona will be an elected constitutional officer, holding the second-highest rank in the executive branch ³. Key aspects of the role include:

• Succession: The lieutenant governor will be the first in line to succeed the Governor of Arizona if the governor dies, resigns, is removed from office, or is permanently unable to perform their duties ³⁵. This role replaces the Secretary of State as the primary successor ⁵.
• Election: The lieutenant governor will be popularly elected every four years by a plurality vote, running on a joint ticket with the gubernatorial candidate ³⁶.
• Executive Branch: The lieutenant governor will serve as the second-ranking officer of the executive branch ³.

Comparison with Other States

The establishment of a lieutenant governor position aligns Arizona with the majority of other U.S. states. In 45 out of 50 U.S. states, the lieutenant governor is the second-highest-ranking government official and is first in the line of succession for the governor's office ⁴.

Upcoming Election

The first Lieutenant Governor of Arizona will be elected during the 2026 Arizona gubernatorial election, with the office officially commencing on January 4, 2027 ¹. Voters will see a joint ticket for governor and lieutenant governor on the ballot ⁶.