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Past Senate Presidents

The Lieutenant Governor serves as the President of the Washington State Senate.

History of Washington's lieutenant governors

The Lieutenant Governor of Washington is elected statewide. They are the President of the Senate and also serve the state as acting governor in the governor's absence. The Lieutenant Governor, first in line of succession, is elected to a 4-year term that coincides with the term of the President of the United States.

Since the beginning of statehood, 16 officials have served in this important and unique state office. Three have moved into the role of Governor following the death of the elected governor.

Before Washington became a state on November 11, 1889, 10 men served as Territorial Secretary of State. They were responsible for acting in the absence of the elected governor but did not have the right of succession. 

Current and historical Presidents of the Senate

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NameTenure
Denny Heck 2020-Current
Cyrus Habib 2016-2020
Brad Owen 1993-1998
Joel Pritchard 1989-1997
John A. Cherberg 1957-1989
Emmett T. Anderson 1953-1957
Victor A. Meyers 1933-1953
John Arthur Gellatly 1929-1933
W. Lon Johnson 1925-1929
William (Wee) J. Coyle 1921-1925
Louis F. Hart 1913-1919
Marion E. Hay 1909-March 1909
Charles E. Coon 1905-1909
Henry McBride 1901-December 1901
Thurston Daniels 1897-1901
F. H. Luce 1893-1897
Charles E. Laughton 1889-1893

    Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck

    Our current Lieutenant Governor is Denny Heck. Learn more about his work across our state on his webpage.

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