Support grows for lieutenant governor post
Another group in Arizona has joined a growing movement to create a new executive position in state government and change how a governor is replaced mid-term.
The Arizona Contractors Association put its support - and financial backing - behind establishing the position of lieutenant governor which would be like the vice president at the national level. The lieutenant governor would run on the same political ticket as the governor, and would succeed the governor if necessary.
It is an idea that has been around for quite some time in Arizona - and has been rejected by voters previously - but there is renewed interest in the wake of the departure of former Gov. Janet Napolitano to become U.S. Homeland Security Secretary and her replacement by Arizona Secretary of State Jan Brewer.
Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, now back in Arizona after her retirement, has taken an up-front position in support of the idea, one of a number of changes in state government a group of Arizona leaders she represents is urging.
One of the stumbling blocks to the change is what to do with the Arizona Secretary of State office. That position is essentially our state's "lieutenant governor" at present, fulfilling the duties of the governor in his or her absence. In addition, the secretary of state oversees elections and performs certain other duties.
Should the position be retained or simply renamed and redefined as a true lieutenant governor?
The lieutenant governor would run in tandem with the governor and presumably, as the designated successor, represent the same political viewpoint. That is the idea behind the new office - to ensure political continuity when a governor must be replaced.
Because of the electoral role, the secretary of state has usually been seen as something of a bipartisan position in state government, causing some to suggest it should remain separate.
However, the reality is the secretary of state is also "partisan" in the sense that it is a politically contested office. As long as the responsibilities are carefully defined, we see no problem with merging the lieutenant governor and secretary of state functions.
