Photo & Story by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy | Arizona Mirror
For the eighth time in the dozen years since Arizonans last had an opportunity to consider such a proposal, lawmakers are trying to create a lieutenant governor position that would be first in the line of succession if the state’s chief executive vacates the office.
The Senate Government Committee approved a pair of measures sponsored by Sen. J.D. Mesnard, R-Chandler, that would put the issue on the ballot in November. All four of the committee’s Republicans and two of its three Democratic members voted in favor of the proposals.
If both chambers of the legislature ultimately approve idea, it will go to the November ballot, where voters will decide its fate.
Arizona is one of only a few states without a lieutenant governor. The secretary of state is instead first in the line of succession, which has been triggered a surprisingly high number of times over the past few decades. As Gov. Doug Ducey noted in January, he’s the first governor in 36 years to give an eighth State of the State address because so many of his predecessors have left office early. Prior to Ducey, five of Arizona’s last eight governors have inherited the office through the line of succession.
Sometimes, that change in administration comes with an unexpected change in which political party controls the governor’s office, Mesnard noted. Republican Jan Brewer succeeded Democrat Janet Napolitano in 2009, while Democrat Rose Mofford took over for Republican Evan Mecham in 1988. If Ducey, a Republican, were to leave office early, he would be replaced by Democratic Secretary of State Katie Hobbs.
“It’s a radical change from what the voters might have expected,” Mesnard said.
