Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts
Encyclopedia
The Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts is the first in the line to discharge the powers and duties of the office of governor following the incapacitation of the Governor of Massachusetts
. The constitutional honorific title for the office is His, or Her, Honor.
The Constitution of Massachusetts provides that when a governor dies, resigns, or is removed from office, the office of governor remains vacant for the rest of the 4 year term. The lieutenant governor discharges powers and duties as Acting Governor.
The first time this came into use was five years after the constitution's adoption in 1785, when Governor John Hancock
resigned his post five months before the inauguration of his successor, Governor James Bowdoin
. Most recently, Jane Swift became acting governor upon the resignation of Paul Cellucci
. Under this system, the lieutenant governor retains his or her position and title as "Lieutenant Governor" and never becomes governor – only acting governor.
The lieutenant governor serves in place of the governor when he is outside the borders of Massachusetts. Historically also a one-year term, the office of lieutenant governor now carries a four-year term the same as that of the governor. Noted in the article above are religious, property, and residency requirements for both the office of governor and lieutenant governor, of which only the residency requirement remains in effect. To be eligible for either office, a candidate must have lived in Massachusetts for at least seven years immediately preceding his election, and originally also had to be a Christian
owning at least £1,000 worth of real property
.
reads,
Governor of Massachusetts
The Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the executive magistrate of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, United States. The current governor is Democrat Deval Patrick.-Constitutional role:...
. The constitutional honorific title for the office is His, or Her, Honor.
The Constitution of Massachusetts provides that when a governor dies, resigns, or is removed from office, the office of governor remains vacant for the rest of the 4 year term. The lieutenant governor discharges powers and duties as Acting Governor.
The first time this came into use was five years after the constitution's adoption in 1785, when Governor John Hancock
John Hancock
John Hancock was a merchant, statesman, and prominent Patriot of the American Revolution. He served as president of the Second Continental Congress and was the first and third Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts...
resigned his post five months before the inauguration of his successor, Governor James Bowdoin
James Bowdoin
James Bowdoin II was an American political and intellectual leader from Boston, Massachusetts during the American Revolution. He served in both branches of the Massachusetts General Court in the colonial era and was president of the state's constitutional convention...
. Most recently, Jane Swift became acting governor upon the resignation of Paul Cellucci
Paul Cellucci
Argeo Paul Cellucci is an American politician and diplomat who served as the 69th Governor of Massachusetts and US Ambassador to Canada.-Early life and career:...
. Under this system, the lieutenant governor retains his or her position and title as "Lieutenant Governor" and never becomes governor – only acting governor.
The lieutenant governor serves in place of the governor when he is outside the borders of Massachusetts. Historically also a one-year term, the office of lieutenant governor now carries a four-year term the same as that of the governor. Noted in the article above are religious, property, and residency requirements for both the office of governor and lieutenant governor, of which only the residency requirement remains in effect. To be eligible for either office, a candidate must have lived in Massachusetts for at least seven years immediately preceding his election, and originally also had to be a Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
owning at least £1,000 worth of real property
Real property
In English Common Law, real property, real estate, realty, or immovable property is any subset of land that has been legally defined and the improvements to it made by human efforts: any buildings, machinery, wells, dams, ponds, mines, canals, roads, various property rights, and so forth...
.
Constitutional role
Part the Second, Chapter II, Section II, Article I of the Massachusetts ConstitutionMassachusetts Constitution
The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the fundamental governing document of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, one of the 50 individual state governments that make up the United States of America. It was drafted by John Adams, Samuel Adams, and James Bowdoin during the...
reads,
There shall be annually elected a lieutenant governor of the commonwealth of Massachusetts, whose title shall be, His Honor and who shall be qualified, in point of religion, property, and residence in the commonwealth, in the same manner with the governor: and the day and manner of his or her election, and the qualifications of the electors, shall be the same as are required in the election of a governor.
List of Lieutenant Governors
- Thomas CushingThomas CushingThomas Cushing III was an American lawyer and statesman from Boston, Massachusetts. He was a loyalist for Massachusetts in the Continental Congress from 1774 to 1776, and the first Lt. Commander of the state from 1780 to 1788...
(1780-1788; Acting Governor in 1785) - Benjamin LincolnBenjamin LincolnBenjamin Lincoln was an American army officer. He served as a major general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War...
(1788-1789) - Samuel AdamsSamuel AdamsSamuel Adams was an American statesman, political philosopher, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. As a politician in colonial Massachusetts, Adams was a leader of the movement that became the American Revolution, and was one of the architects of the principles of American...
(1789–1794; Acting Governor from 1793) - Moses GillMoses GillMoses Gill was a Massachusetts politician who briefly served as Acting Governor of the state.-Life:He was a merchant living in Boston, until 1767, when he removed to Princeton, Massachusetts. In 1759 he married Sarah Prince, daughter to pastor Thomas Prince of Boston's Old South Church...
(1794-1800; Acting Governor from 1799) - (Office Vacant, 1800-1801)
- Samuel Phillips, Jr.Samuel Phillips, Jr.Samuel Phillips, Jr. . Merchant, manufacturer and patriot, Phillips is considered a pioneer in American education.Samuel Phillips Jr. was born in North Andover, Massachusetts...
(1801-1802) - Edward RobbinsEdward RobbinsEdward Hutchinson Robbins served as the Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts from 1802 to 1806. He is the great-great-grandfather of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, on the side of Roosevelt's mother, Sarah Delano:...
(1802-1806) - Levi Lincoln, Sr.Levi Lincoln, Sr.Levi Lincoln, Sr. was an American revolutionary and statesman who served as a Minuteman at the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War, a state legislator in Massachusetts, a participant in Massachusetts' state constitutional convention, Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts, a U.S...
(1807-1809; Acting Governor from 1808) - David CobbDavid Cobb (Massachusetts)David Cobb was a Massachusetts physician, military officer, jurist, and politician who served as a U.S. Congressman for the At-large District of Massachusetts.-Biography:...
(1809-1810) - William GrayWilliam Gray (Massachusetts)William Gray was a Massachusetts merchant and politician. Born into a lower class family in Lynn, Massachusetts, he managed to build his own business and rise through the state's political ranks, becoming the richest man in New England, and in the eyes of many the richest man in all of America...
(1810-1812) - William Phillips, Jr.William Phillips, Jr.William Phillips Jr was born in Boston, Massachusetts, April 10, 1750; died in Boston, May 26, 1827. Phillips was elected Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts and served 1812-1823. He drafted the letter inviting New England Governors to send delegates to the Hartford Convention of 1815.Phillips...
(1812-1823) - Levi Lincoln, Jr.Levi Lincoln, Jr.Levi Lincoln, Jr. was an American lawyer and politician from Worcester, Massachusetts. He was the 13th Governor of Massachusetts and represented the state in the U.S. Congress...
(1823-1824) - Marcus MortonMarcus MortonMarcus Morton was a lawyer, jurist, and politician from Taunton, Massachusetts. He represented Massachusetts in the United States House of Representatives and served two terms as 16th and 18th Governor of Massachusetts, as well as a portion of an unexpired term in 1825, as Acting Governor.Morton...
(1824-1825; Acting Governor in 1825) - Thomas L. WinthropThomas L. WinthropThomas L. Winthrop was a Massachusetts politician who served as Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts from 1826 to 1833....
(1826-1833) - Samuel T. Armstrong (1833-1836; Acting Governor from 1835)
- George HullGeorge Hull (Massachusetts)George Hull was an American politician who served as Lieutenant Governor for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from 1836 through 1843....
(1836-1843) - Henry H. ChildsHenry H. ChildsHenry H. Childs was an American politician who served as Lieutenant Governor for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1843....
(1843-1844) - John Reed, Jr.John Reed, Jr.John Reed, Jr. was a Representative from Massachusetts.Reed was born in West Bridgewater, Massachusetts. He graduated from Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island in 1803, and was a tutor of languages in that institution for two years, and principal of the Bridgewater, Massachusetts Academy in...
(1844-1851) - Henry W. CushmanHenry W. CushmanHenry W. Cushman was an American politician who served as Lieutenant Governor for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from 1851 to 1853....
(1851-1853) - Elisha HuntingtonElisha HuntingtonElisha Huntington was an American physician and politician who served as the Mayor of Lowell, Massachusetts and as the Lieutenant Governor for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from 1853 to 1854.-Early life:...
(1853-1854) - William C. PlunkettWilliam C. PlunkettWilliam Caudwell Plunkett was an American politician who served as Lieutenant Governor for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from 1854 to 1855. In 1853 he was a delegate to the state Constitutional Convention. He lived in Adams for over 50 years and held many of the local offices.He was born on...
(1854-1855) - Simon BrownSimon Brown (Massachusetts)Simon Brown was an American politician who served as Lieutenant Governor for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from 1855 to 1856. He was then an at-large delegate to the 1856 Republican Convention in Philadelphia where he supported the nomination of John C. Fremont. Professionally, Brown was a...
(1855-1856) - Henry W. Benchley (1856-1858)
- Eliphalet TraskEliphalet TraskEliphalet Trask was an American politician who served as the third Mayor of Springfield, Massachusetts and as the Lieutenant Governor for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from 1858 to 1861.-External links:*...
(1858-1861) - John Z. GoodrichJohn Z. GoodrichJohn Zacheus Goodrich was an American politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives and Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts. He was born in Sheffield, Massachusetts on September 27, 1804. He attended the common schools and Lenox Academy...
(1861) - John NesmithJohn NesmithJohn Nesmith was an American politician who served as Lieutenant Governor for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1862....
(1862) - Joel HaydenJoel HaydenJoel Hayden was an American politician who served as Lieutenant Governor for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from 1863 to 1866....
(1863-1866) - William Clafin (1866-1869)
- Joseph TuckerJoseph TuckerJoseph Tucker was an American politician who served as Lieutenant Governor for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from 1869 to 1873....
(1869-1873) - Thomas TalbotThomas Talbot (Massachusetts)Thomas Talbot was the 31st Governor of Massachusetts. He was born in Cambridge, New York, and grew up in Northampton, Massachusetts....
(1873-1875; Acting Governor from 1874) - Horatio G. KnightHoratio G. KnightHoratio Gates Knight was an American politician, manufacturer and philanthropist who served as Lieutenant Governor for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from 1875 to 1879....
(1875-1879) - John D. Long (1879-1880)
- Byron WestonByron WestonCaptain Byron Curtis Weston was a native of Massachusetts who founded the Weston Paper Company in 1863 and served as Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts from 1880 to 1883. He came from an old New England Congregationalist family of extraordinary wealth...
(1880-1883) - Oliver AmesOliver AmesOliver Ames was a U.S. political figure and financier. He was the 35th Governor of Massachusetts . He was the son of Oakes Ames , a United States Congressman who was censured in the Credit Mobilier scandal, and the nephew of Oliver Ames, Jr..-Biography:Ames was born in North Easton, Massachusetts...
(1883–1887) - John Q. A. BrackettJohn Q. A. Brackett- Biography :He was born in Bradford, New Hampshire to Ambrose S. Brackett and Nancy Brackett. He was a 1865 graduate of Harvard College and an 1868 graduate of Harvard Law School and a lawyer by profession, holding the post of Judge Advocate of the Massachusetts Militia's First Brigade at one...
(1887–1890) - William H. HaileWilliam H. HaileWilliam Henry Haile was an American businessman and politician who served as the Mayor of Springfield, Massachusetts in 1881, and as Lieutenant Governor for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from 1890 to 1893....
(1890-1893) - Roger WolcottRoger Wolcott (Massachusetts)Roger Wolcott was the son of Joshua Huntington Wolcott and Cornelia Wolcott, and was the brother of Huntington Frothingham Wolcott. He graduated from Harvard University in 1870, and from Harvard Law School in 1874...
(1893–1896) - Winthrop M. CraneWinthrop M. CraneWinthrop Murray Crane was a U.S. political figure. He served as the 40th Governor of Massachusetts between 1900 and 1903. He also served as a United States Senator from Massachusetts from 1904 until 1913...
(1897–1900) - John L. BatesJohn L. BatesJohn Lewis Bates was born in North Easton, Massachusetts to Rev. Lewis Benton Bates, a Methodist minister, and Louisa D. Bates. He attended public school in New Bedford, Chelsea, Taunton, and eventually the Boston Latin School. He then attended the Methodist-affiliated Boston University, earning...
(1900-1903) - Curtis Guild, Jr.Curtis Guild, Jr.Curtis Guild, Jr. was the 43rd Governor of Massachusetts in the United States. He served from 1906 to 1909.-Early life and education:...
(1903-1906) - Ebenezer Sumner DraperEbenezer Sumner DraperEbenezer Sumner Draper was a U.S. political figure. He served as the 44th Governor of Massachusetts between 1909 and 1911. Like Curtis Guild, Jr., Eben Draper was forged by his family's business. His father, George Draper had been part of a Christian Socialist community, which ended in bankruptcy...
(1906-1909) - Louis A. FrothinghamLouis A. FrothinghamLouis Adams Frothingham was a United States Representative from Massachusetts. He was born in Jamaica Plain on July 13, 1871. He attended the public schools and Adams Academy. He graduated from Harvard University in 1893 and from Harvard Law School in 1896...
(1909-1912) - Robert LuceRobert LuceRobert Luce was a United States Representative from Massachusetts. Born in Auburn, Maine, Luce attended the public schools of Auburn and Lewiston, Maine, and Somerville, Massachusetts...
(1912–1913) - David I. WalshDavid I. WalshDavid Ignatius Walsh was a United States politician from Massachusetts. As a member of the Democratic Party, he served in the state legislature and then as Lieutenant Governor and then as the 46th Governor . His first term in the U.S...
(1913-1914) - Edward P. BarryEdward P. BarryEdward P. Barry was an American politician who served as Lieutenant Governor for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from 1914 to 1915.-References:...
(1914-1915) - Grafton D. CushingGrafton D. CushingGrafton Dulany Cushing was an American politician who served as Lieutenant Governor for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from 1915 to 1916.-References:...
(1915-1916) - Calvin CoolidgeCalvin CoolidgeJohn Calvin Coolidge, Jr. was the 30th President of the United States . A Republican lawyer from Vermont, Coolidge worked his way up the ladder of Massachusetts state politics, eventually becoming governor of that state...
(1916-1919) - Channing H. CoxChanning H. CoxChanning Harris Cox was a Massachusetts Republican politician and the 49th Governor of Massachusetts born in Manchester, New Hampshire....
(1919-1921) - Alvan T. FullerAlvan T. FullerAlvan Tufts Fuller was a United States Representative from Massachusetts. He became one of the wealthiest men in America, with an automobile dealership which in 1920 was recognized as "the world's most successful auto dealership." He was elected a member of the Massachusetts House of...
(1921-1925) - Frank G. AllenFrank G. AllenFrank G. Allen was a Governor of Massachusetts.Allen was born in Lynn, Massachusetts on October 6, 1874. A businessman and executive with the Winslow Brothers & Smith Company from 1893, he rose to become the company's president from 1912 to 1929, and was married to Clara Winslow in 1897.He entered...
(1925-1929) - William S. YoungmanWilliam S. YoungmanWilliam Sterling Youngman was an American politician who served as a Massachusetts State Senator, the Treasurer and Receiver-General of Massachusetts and as Lieutenant Governor for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from 1929 to 1933.Youngman attended Harvard where he was a member of the debate...
(1929-1933) - Gaspar G. BaconGaspar G. BaconGaspar Griswold Bacon, Sr. was on the board of Harvard University, President of the Massachusetts Senate from 1929 to 1932 and Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts from 1933 to 1935.-Biography:...
(1933-1935) - Joseph L. HurleyJoseph L. HurleyJoseph Leo Hurley was an American Democratic politician who served as Lieutenant Governor for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from 1935 to 1937. Hurley was from Fall River, Massachusetts. He was of Irish descent....
(1935-1937) - Francis E. KellyFrancis E. KellyFrancis E. Kelly was an American politician who served as a member of the Boston City Council from 1930–1933, Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts from 1937 to 1939 and Massachusetts Attorney General from 1949-1953.-Footnotes:...
(1937-1939) - Horace T. CahillHorace T. CahillHorace Tracy Cahill was an American politician who served as Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts from 1939 to 1945. A Republican, he ran unsuccessfully for Governor in 1944....
(1939-1945) - Arthur W. CoolidgeArthur W. CoolidgeArthur William Coolidge was a Massachusetts politician who served multiple positions within the state government....
(1947-1949) - Charles F. SullivanCharles F. SullivanCharles F. "Jeff" Sullivan was an American politician who served as Lieutenant Governor for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from 1949 to 1953...
(1949-1953) - Sumner G. Whittier (1953-1957)
- Robert F. MurphyRobert F. MurphyRobert F. Murphy was an American politician who as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. In 1949 Murphy became the first Democrat to serve as the Majority Leader of the Massachusetts House of Representatives...
(1957-1961) - Edward F. McLaughlin, Jr.Edward F. McLaughlin, Jr.Edward Francis McLaughlin, Jr. was an American attorney and politician who served as a Boston city councilor, president of the Boston City Council, and Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from 1961 to 1963.-Bibliography:*Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 1961-1962 Public officers...
(1961-1963) - Francis X. BellottiFrancis X. BellottiFrancis Xavier Bellotti is an American lawyer and politician. In his first campaign he was the Democratic nominee for District Attorney of Norfolk County in 1958, but was defeated in the general election. In 1962 Bellotti was elected as Lieutenant Governor for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts...
(1963-1965) - Elliot RichardsonElliot RichardsonElliot Lee Richardson was an American lawyer and politician who was a member of the cabinet of Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. As U.S...
(1965-1967) - Francis W. SargentFrancis W. SargentFrancis William Sargent was the 64th Governor of Massachusetts from 1969 to 1975. Born in 1915 in Hamilton, Massachusetts, he was known for his sharp wit and self-deprecating manner...
(1967-1971; Acting Governor from 1969) - Donald R. DwightDonald R. DwightDonald Rathburn Dwight was lieutenant governor of Massachusetts from 1971 to 1975. He served as a Republican alongside Governor Francis W. Sargent....
(1971–1975) - Thomas P. O'Neill IIIThomas P. O'Neill IIIThomas Phillip O'Neill III leads a public relations and government affairs firm called O'Neill and Associates in Boston. He is the son of Tip O'Neill, who served as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 1977 to 1987.From 1975 to 1983, O'Neill served as lieutenant governor of...
(1975–1983) - John KerryJohn KerryJohn Forbes Kerry is the senior United States Senator from Massachusetts, the 10th most senior U.S. Senator and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He was the presidential nominee of the Democratic Party in the 2004 presidential election, but lost to former President George W...
(1983-1985) - (Office Vacant, 1985-1987)
- Evelyn MurphyEvelyn MurphyEvelyn Murphy was the Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts from 1987 to 1991, being the first woman in the history of the state to hold a constitutional office...
(1987-1991) - Paul CellucciPaul CellucciArgeo Paul Cellucci is an American politician and diplomat who served as the 69th Governor of Massachusetts and US Ambassador to Canada.-Early life and career:...
(1991-1999; Acting Governor from 1997) - Jane M. SwiftJane M. SwiftJane Maria Swift is an American politician, who served as the 69th lieutenant governor from 1999 to 2003 and acting governor of Massachusetts from 2001 to 2003. She is the only woman to perform the duties of governor of Massachusetts, doing so from April 2001 to January 2003...
(1999-2003; Acting Governor from 2001) - Kerry HealeyKerry HealeyKerry Murphy Healey was the 70th Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts. She served from 2003 to 2007 with Governor Mitt Romney. She was the 2006 Republican nominee for Governor of Massachusetts, losing to Democrat Deval Patrick in November 2006...
(2003-2007) - Tim Murray (2007-present)
See also
- List of Governors of Massachusetts
- Government of MassachusettsGovernment of MassachusettsThe form of Massachusetts government is provided by the Constitution of the Commonwealth. The legislative power is exercised by the bicameral General Court, which is composed of the Senate and House of Representatives...
- Massachusetts gubernatorial election, 2006Massachusetts gubernatorial election, 2006The Massachusetts gubernatorial election of 2006 was held on November 7, 2006. Former US Assistant Attorney General Deval Patrick was elected to a four-year term, from January 4, 2007 until January 6, 2011. In his first elected office, Patrick is the second African-American governor in the United...
- Massachusetts gubernatorial election, 2002Massachusetts gubernatorial election, 2002The Massachusetts gubernatorial election of 2002 was held on November 5, 2002. Businessman Mitt Romney was elected to a four-year term, to be served from January 2, 2003 until January 4, 2007. Every four years, Massachusetts holds state-wide elections for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney...