By Reagan Priest | Arizona Capitol Times
Arizona will elect its first lieutenant governor in 2026, and whoever takes the job will have the opportunity to chart a new course and set a precedent.
Proposition 131, passed by voters in 2022, requires candidates for governor in 2026 to choose a running mate who could become their lieutenant governor in 2027. And though that feels far off to some, members of Arizona’s political community are already weighing their options.
The lieutenant governor would not only be the governor’s deputy, but could also serve as the governor’s chief of staff, the director of the Department of Administration or in any other position for which the governor has the power to make appointments. It’s unclear how exactly Arizona’s next governor will utilize the new position, but Kellie Rittershausen, executive director of the National Lieutenant Governors Association, said there are several other states that can serve as examples.
“The most successful relationship between a governor and lieutenant governor is one where there’s mutual respect, frequent communication and utilizing your number two to the best and highest of their abilities,” Rittershausen said.
