As Gov. Jon Corzine mulls his selection of a running mate, many Democratic Party leaders are eying the effect of the Lt. Governor nominee on the nascent race for the 2013 Democratic gubernatorial nomination. If Corzine wins re-election, the Lt. Governor could emerge as a leading candidate for Governor in the next election. That concerns some other would-be contenders who don't necessarily want to see a new name catapult to the top of the next short list.
According to the National Lieutenant Governors Association, one in four (25%) Lt. Governors eventually win election as Governor. In the three 2008 gubernatorial races where incumbents did not seek re-election, one Lt. Governor was elected (in North Carolina), one was defeated in a Democratic primary (51%-49% in Delaware), and one ran for re-election as Lt. Governor and won (Missouri). In the seven open seat races in 2006, only the Lt. Governor of Massachusetts ran for Governor.
Over the last ten years, 22 Lt. Governors have succeeded to the governorship following the death, resignation or removal of the Governor – about 14% of all states with Lt. Governors. During the same time period, New Jersey has had two gubernatorial vacancies, and New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut have each had one.
