Lieutenant Governor of Washington

Back About History President of the Senate Acting Governor Committee Responsibilities Lt. Governor's Rulings Appointment Process Billy Frank Jr. Maquette Since the beginning of Washington's statehood, 15 officials have served in the Office of Lieutenant Governor. Three have ascended on the death of the elected Governor. Before Washington became a state on November 11, 1889, ten men served as Territorial Secretary of State and held the responsibility to act in the absence of the elected governor, but did not have right of ascension. Born in Baltimore, Maryland on August 22, 1981, Habib served two years in the House of Representatives, two years in the Washington State Senate prior to his 2016 election to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. A three-time cancer survivor, Lt. Gov. Habib lost his eyesight and became fully blind at the age of eight. Lt. Gov. Habib dedicated his term of service providing leadership in the field of education, youth development, international relations. A graduate of Columbia University, Oxford University, and Yale Law School - where he was editor of the Yale Law Review - Lt. Gov. Habib was Professor and Distinguished Lawmaker in Residence at the Seattle University School of Law, served as a member of the Council of Foreign Relations and on numerous other boards including the Seattle Symphony, Seattle Children’s Hospital Foundation, the 5th Avenue Theatre, the Bellevue College Foundation, and the Bellevue Downtown Association. At the time of his departure from office, Lt. Gov. Habib was the first and only Iranian American to hold statewide elected office in the United States. Born in Tacoma on May 23, 1950, Owen served four years as Finance Commissioner for the City of Shelton, six years in the House of Representatives and fourteen years in the Washington State Senate, prior to his 1996 election to the office of Lieutenant Governor. Lt. Gov. Owen has dedicated his term of service to providing leadership in the field of public health and safety, with an emphasis on substance abuse and prevention. He is the chair of Washington State Mentors, as well as the chair of the Legislative Committee on Economic Development and International Relations, and serves on the advisory board for the Drug Free America Foundation. Born in Pensacola, Florida on October 17, 1910, Cherberg was a teacher, football coach and television executive in Washington State before his election. He retired after serving eight consecutive terms, 32 years, the longest tenure as Lieutenant Governor of any state in history. Cherberg was a resident of Seattle. Born in Ozark Mountains, Missouri on November 11, 1882, Johnson was elected to the Washington State Senate from Stevens and Pend Oreille Counties, 1919-1924. After serving one term as Lieutenant Governor he was elected Superior Court Judge. Born in Sutter Creek, California on March 18, 1888, Coyle was a lawyer and business man. The Seattle resident served for 15 years as manager of the Seattle Civic Auditorium. Born in High Point, Missouri on January 4, 1862, Hart, attorney, was twice elected to the office of Lieutenant Governor. When Governor Ernest Lister died in February 1919, Hart completed the term and was then elected to a four-year term. Born in Farmington, Utah on February 7, 1856, the teacher and lawyer was the first Lieutenant Governor to succeed when Governor John R. Rogers died December 1901. The LaConner resident served as Superior Court Judge for Skagit and Island Counties. Born in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin on May 23, 1859, Luce was a doctor, lawyer and banker. The Davenport resident served as State Senator from Lincoln, Okanogan, Franklin and Adams Counties. Born in Penobscot County, Maine on June 4, 1846, Laughton, a lawyer, served one term as Lieutenant Governor of Nevada (1882-1886). The Okanogan resident was a Representative from Stevens, Okanogan and Spokane Counties before his election to Lieutenant Governor.