Beginning in the 1630s, the
British Crown appointed several officials to aide the
governors of the
Colony of Virginia in the execution of their duties, collectively known as the Governor's Council or the Council of State. One member of this body was designated as the governor's deputy, or lieutenant governor, and exercised the governor's authority when they were absent. The
Virginia Constitution of 1851 created the modern office of the lieutenant governor. It provided for the popular election of the officer and designated them
ex officio president of the
Virginia Senate. In this capacity they replaced the Speaker of the Senate, which had been chosen by the body's own members as their presiding officer from 1776 until 1852. During the
American Civil War, Virginia had two different governments and accordingly different sets of lieutenant governors. From 1865 until 1870, the lieutenant governors were appointed by the commanding general of the
First Military District. In 1870, Virginia was readmitted to the federal union and, from then on, the officers were chosen by popular election.
Winsome Sears, sworn in on January 15, 2022, is the first woman to have held the office. == Election ==