Does Arizona Need a Lieutenant Governor?

The state House is considering a proposal to create a new state office, to ensure the governor wouldn't automatically be replaced by the secretary of state if he dies, quits or is forcibly removed from office.

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A proposal approved by a House panel Monday would change who takes over in Arizona when a governor dies, quits or is forcibly removed from office.

Legislation before the Elections Committee would ask voters to create create a new post of lieutenant governor, who would run for election with the governor on the same ticket.

The lieutenant governor, presumably, would be of the same party — or at least the same political philosophy — as the state's chief executive. Rep. J.D. Mesnard, R-Chandler, said that will guarantee some sort of continuity.

"The voters wanted a particular vision in the governor's office when they supported the governor and don't intend that to change,'' he said.

"Many people don't fully grasp that the secretary of state is the one who takes over,'' Mesnard explained. And that person could have an entirely different philosophy — meaning a radical change in policy.

 

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Daniel Luzer is GOVERNING's news editor.
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