# President of the West Virginia Senate

The president of the West Virginia Senate is a member of the West Virginia Senate who has been elected to be its president by the other senators. The current Senate president is Randy Smith, who has been in office since January 8, 2025.
In addition to serving as the Senate's presiding officer, the Senate President is also first in the line of succession to the office of governor of West Virginia (the Senate president does not succeed to that office, but rather assumes that office's powers and duties as acting governor, with the governorship remaining vacant). As stated in Article 7, Section 16 of the West Virginia Constitution: "In case of the death, conviction or impeachment, failure to qualify, resignation, or other disability of the governor, the president of the Senate shall act as governor until the vacancy is filled, or the disability removed." However, the Senate President may not always serve that role for the whole remainder of the gubernatorial term, as the constitution also states: "Whenever a vacancy shall occur in the office of governor before the first three years of the term shall have expired, a new election for governor shall take place to fill the vacancy."
The West Virginia Constitution does not create or even mention the title of lieutenant governor. However, in 2000, the West Virginia Legislature adopted West Virginia Code chapter 6A, section 1-4(b), which says "the president of the Senate shall be additionally designated the title of lieutenant governor". Earl Ray Tomblin was the first Senate president to thus have the title lieutenant governor of West Virginia.

## List

The presidents of the West Virginia Senate since 1863:
Democratic – 31; Republican – 23
| # | Senate President | Term start | Term end | Party | Governor | Governor |
| 1 | John Phelps  1821 – August 26, 1884  (aged 63) | June 20, 1863 | January 19, 1864 | Republican | | Arthur Boreman |
| 2 | William Stevenson  March 18, 1820 – November 29, 1883  (aged 63) | January 19, 1864 | January 19, 1869 | Republican | | Arthur Boreman |
| 3 | Daniel Farnsworth  December 23, 1819 – December 5, 1892  (aged 72) | January 19, 1869 | January 17, 1871 | Republican | | Arthur Boreman |
| A. | Joseph T. Hoke  February 6, 1835 – July 27, 1910  (aged 75) | February 26, 1869 | March 4, 1869 | Republican | | Daniel Farnsworth (acting) |
| 3 | Daniel Farnsworth  December 23, 1819 – December 5, 1892  (aged 72) | January 19, 1869 | January 17, 1871 | Republican | | William Stevenson |
| 4 | Lewis Baker  November 11, 1832 – April 30, 1899  (aged 66) | January 17, 1871 | January 16, 1872 | Democratic | | ​ |
| 4 | Lewis Baker  November 11, 1832 – April 30, 1899  (aged 66) | January 17, 1871 | January 16, 1872 | Democratic | | John Jacob |
| 5 | Carlos Sperry  July 28, 1832 – May 9, 1905  (aged 72) | January 16, 1872 | August 22, 1872 | Democratic | | John Jacob |
| 6 | Daniel Johnson  April 28, 1836 – December 18, 1893  (aged 57) | November 19, 1872 | January 10, 1877 | Democratic | | John Jacob |
| 7 | Ulysses Arnett  November 7, 1820 – December 1, 1880  (aged 60) | January 10, 1877 | January 8, 1879 | Democratic | | ​ |
| 7 | Ulysses Arnett  November 7, 1820 – December 1, 1880  (aged 60) | January 10, 1877 | January 8, 1879 | Democratic | | Henry Mathews |
| 8 | Daniel Johnson  April 28, 1836 – December 18, 1893  (aged 57) | January 8, 1879 | January 12, 1881 | Democratic | | Henry Mathews |
| 9 | Albert Summers  January 1, 1824 – April 1, 1901  (aged 77) | January 12, 1881 | January 10, 1883 | Democratic | | ​ |
| 9 | Albert Summers  January 1, 1824 – April 1, 1901  (aged 77) | January 12, 1881 | January 10, 1883 | Democratic | Jacob Jackson |
| 10 | | Thomas Farnsworth  May 17, 1829 – October 12, 1916  (aged 87) | January 10, 1883 | January 14, 1885 | Jacob Jackson | Democratic |
| 11 | | George Price  November 9, 1848 – February 6, 1938  (aged 89) | January 14, 1885 | January 9, 1889 | Democratic | ​ |
| 11 | | George Price  November 9, 1848 – February 6, 1938  (aged 89) | January 14, 1885 | January 9, 1889 | Democratic | Emmanuel Watson |
| 12 | | Robert Carr  November 17, 1845 – May 6, 1925  (aged 79) | January 22, 1889 | January 14, 1891 | Democratic | ​ |
| 12 | | Robert Carr  November 17, 1845 – May 6, 1925  (aged 79) | January 22, 1889 | January 14, 1891 | Democratic | Aretas Fleming |
| 13 | | John McCreery  July 31, 1845 – May 22, 1917  (aged 71) | January 14, 1891 | January 11, 1893 | Democratic | Aretas Fleming |
| 14 | | Rankin Wiley  April 6, 1853 – February 21, 1929  (aged 75) | January 11, 1893 | January 9, 1895 | Democratic | ​ |
| 14 | | Rankin Wiley  April 6, 1853 – February 21, 1929  (aged 75) | January 11, 1893 | January 9, 1895 | Democratic | William MacCorkle |
| 15 | | William Worley  August 1, 1846 – October 7, 1928  (aged 82) | January 9, 1895 | January 13, 1897 | Republican | William MacCorkle |
| 16 | | Nelson Whitaker  November 9, 1839 – December 28, 1909  (aged 70) | January 13, 1897 | January 11, 1899 | Republican | ​ |
| 16 | | Nelson Whitaker  November 9, 1839 – December 28, 1909  (aged 70) | January 13, 1897 | January 11, 1899 | Republican | George Atkinson |
| 17 | | Oliver Marshall  September 24, 1850 – May 19, 1934  (aged 83) | January 11, 1899 | January 9, 1901 | Republican | George Atkinson |
| 18 | | Anthony Smith  January 9, 1844 – July 10, 1927  (aged 83) | January 9, 1901 | January 14, 1903 | Republican | ​ |
| 18 | | Anthony Smith  January 9, 1844 – July 10, 1927  (aged 83) | January 9, 1901 | January 14, 1903 | Republican | Albert White |
| 19 | | Clark May  July 14, 1869 – April 25, 1908  (aged 38) | January 14, 1903 | January 11, 1905 | Republican | Albert White |
| 20 | | Gustavus Northcott  April 4, 1861 – December 8, 1938  (aged 77) | January 11, 1905 | January 9, 1907 | Republican | ​ |
| 20 | | Gustavus Northcott  April 4, 1861 – December 8, 1938  (aged 77) | January 11, 1905 | January 9, 1907 | Republican | William Dawson |
| 21 | | Joseph McDermott  July 28, 1871 – December 12, 1930  (aged 59) | January 9, 1907 | January 13, 1909 | Republican | William Dawson |
| 22 | | Lewis Forman  January 7, 1855 – January 3, 1933  (aged 77) | January 13, 1909 | January 11, 1911 | Republican | ​ |
| 22 | | Lewis Forman  January 7, 1855 – January 3, 1933  (aged 77) | January 13, 1909 | January 11, 1911 | Republican | William Glasscock |
| 23 | | Robert F. Kidd  February 11, 1853 – June 8, 1930  (aged 77) | January 17, 1911 | January 30, 1911 | Democratic | William Glasscock |
| 24 | | Henry Hatfield  September 15, 1875 – October 13, 1962  (aged 87) | January 30, 1911 | January 24, 1913 | Republican | William Glasscock |
| 25 | | Samuel Woods  August 31, 1856 – June 1, 1937  (aged 80) | January 24, 1913 | January 13, 1915 | Democratic | ​ |
| 25 | | Samuel Woods  August 31, 1856 – June 1, 1937  (aged 80) | January 24, 1913 | January 13, 1915 | Democratic | Henry Hatfield |
| 26 | | Edward England  September 29, 1869 – September 9, 1934  (aged 64) | January 13, 1915 | January 10, 1917 | Republican | Henry Hatfield |
| 27 | | Wells Goodykoontz  June 3, 1872 – March 2, 1944  (aged 71) | January 10, 1917 | January 8, 1919 | Republican | ​ |
| 27 | | Wells Goodykoontz  June 3, 1872 – March 2, 1944  (aged 71) | January 10, 1917 | January 8, 1919 | Republican | John Cornwell |
| 28 | | Charles Sinsel  June 5, 1864 – December 8, 1923  (aged 59) | January 8, 1919 | January 12, 1921 | Republican | John Cornwell |
| 29 | | Gohen Arnold  January 5, 1885 – June 9, 1939  (aged 54) | January 12, 1921 | January 10, 1923 | Republican | ​ |
| 29 | | Gohen Arnold  January 5, 1885 – June 9, 1939  (aged 54) | January 12, 1921 | January 10, 1923 | Republican | Ephraim Morgan |
| 30 | | Harry Schaffer  January 22, 1885 – July 3, 1971  (aged 86) | January 10, 1923 | January 14, 1925 | Republican | Ephraim Morgan |
| 31 | | Charles Coffman  August 30, 1875 – August 15, 1929  (aged 53) | January 14, 1925 | April 15, 1925 | Republican | Ephraim Morgan |
| 32 | | Montezuma White  September 6, 1872 – May 10, 1945  (aged 72) | April 15, 1925 | January 11, 1933 | Republican | ​ |
| 32 | | Montezuma White  September 6, 1872 – May 10, 1945  (aged 72) | April 15, 1925 | January 11, 1933 | Republican | Howard Gore |
| 32 | | Montezuma White  September 6, 1872 – May 10, 1945  (aged 72) | April 15, 1925 | January 11, 1933 | Republican | William Conley |
| 33 | | Albert Mathews  July 31, 1872 – December 5, 1958  (aged 86) | January 11, 1933 | January 9, 1935 | Democratic | ​ |
| 33 | | Albert Mathews  July 31, 1872 – December 5, 1958  (aged 86) | January 11, 1933 | January 9, 1935 | Democratic | Herman Kump |
| 34 | | Charles Hodges  September 27, 1892 – May 1, 1968  (aged 75) | January 9, 1935 | January 11, 1939 | Democratic | ​ |
| 34 | | Charles Hodges  September 27, 1892 – May 1, 1968  (aged 75) | January 9, 1935 | January 11, 1939 | Democratic | Homer Holt |
| 35 | | William LaFon  March 8, 1888 – February 4, 1941  (aged 52) | January 11, 1939 | January 8, 1941 | Democratic | Homer Holt |
| 36 | Byron Randolph  June 12, 1906 – November 7, 1979  (aged 73) | January 8, 1941 | January 13, 1943 | Democratic | | Matthew Neely |
| 37 | James Paull  May 3, 1901 – March 8, 1983  (aged 81) | January 13, 1943 | January 10, 1945 | Democratic | | Matthew Neely |
| 38 | Arnold Vickers  August 8, 1908 – December 25, 1967  (aged 59) | January 10, 1945 | January 12, 1949 | Democratic | | Clarence Meadows |
| 39 | W. Broughton Johnston  May 21, 1905 – August 24, 1978  (aged 73) | January 12, 1949 | January 14, 1953 | Democratic | | Okey Patteson |
| 40 | Ralph Bean  December 15, 1912 – June 7, 1978  (aged 65) | January 14, 1953 | January 11, 1961 | Democratic | | William Marland |
| 40 | Ralph Bean  December 15, 1912 – June 7, 1978  (aged 65) | January 14, 1953 | January 11, 1961 | Democratic | | Cecil Underwood |
| 41 | Howard Carson  April 30, 1910 – August 9, 1994  (aged 84) | January 11, 1961 | January 8, 1969 | Democratic | | Wally Barron |
| 41 | Howard Carson  April 30, 1910 – August 9, 1994  (aged 84) | January 11, 1961 | January 8, 1969 | Democratic | | Hulett Smith |
| 42 | Lloyd Jackson  May 30, 1918 – October 29, 2011  (aged 93) | January 8, 1969 | January 13, 1971 | Democratic | | Arch Moore |
| 43 | E. Hansford McCourt  April 21, 1909 – August 3, 1992  (aged 83) | January 13, 1971 | January 10, 1973 | Democratic | | Arch Moore |
| 44 | William Brotherton  April 17, 1926 – April 6, 1997  (aged 70) | January 10, 1973 | January 14, 1981 | Democratic | | ​ |
| 44 | William Brotherton  April 17, 1926 – April 6, 1997  (aged 70) | January 10, 1973 | January 14, 1981 | Democratic | | Jay Rockefeller |
| 45 | Warren McGraw  May 10, 1939 – June 14, 2023  (aged 84) | January 14, 1981 | January 9, 1985 | Democratic | | Jay Rockefeller |
| 46 | Dan Tonkovich  April 17, 1946 – February 10, 2002  (aged 55) | January 9, 1985 | January 11, 1989 | Democratic | | Arch Moore |
| 47 | Larry Tucker  April 11, 1935 – November 16, 2016  (aged 81) | January 11, 1989 | September 7, 1989 | Democratic | | Arch Moore |
| 48 | Keith Burdette (1955-04-27) April 27, 1955 (age 69) | September 12, 1989 | January 3, 1995 | Democratic | | |
| 48 | Keith Burdette (1955-04-27) April 27, 1955 (age 69) | September 12, 1989 | January 3, 1995 | Democratic | | Gaston Caperton |
| 49 | Earl Ray Tomblin (1952-03-15) March 15, 1952 (age 72) | January 3, 1995 | November 13, 2011 | Democratic | | ​ |
| 49 | Earl Ray Tomblin (1952-03-15) March 15, 1952 (age 72) | January 3, 1995 | November 13, 2011 | Democratic | | Cecil Underwood |
| 49 | Earl Ray Tomblin (1952-03-15) March 15, 1952 (age 72) | January 3, 1995 | November 13, 2011 | Democratic | | Bob Wise |
| 49 | Earl Ray Tomblin (1952-03-15) March 15, 1952 (age 72) | January 3, 1995 | November 13, 2011 | Democratic | | Joe Manchin |
| 49 | Earl Ray Tomblin (1952-03-15) March 15, 1952 (age 72) | January 3, 1995 | November 13, 2011 | Democratic | | ​ |
| 50 | Jeff Kessler (1955-11-16) November 16, 1955 (age 69) | November 15, 2010 | November 14, 2011 | Democratic | | Earl Ray Tomblin |
| 50 | Jeff Kessler (1955-11-16) November 16, 1955 (age 69) | November 14, 2011 | January 14, 2015 | Democratic | | Earl Ray Tomblin |
| 51 | Bill Cole (1956-05-16) May 16, 1956 (age 68) | January 14, 2015 | January 11, 2017 | Republican | | Earl Ray Tomblin |
| 52 | Mitch Carmichael (1960-04-15) April 15, 1960 (age 64) | January 11, 2017 | January 13, 2021 | Republican | | Jim Justice |
| 53 | Craig Blair (1959-10-17) October 17, 1959 (age 65) | January 13, 2021 | January 8, 2025 | Republican | | Jim Justice |
| 54 | Randy Smith (1960-03-03) March 3, 1960 (age 64) | January 8, 2025 | Incumbent | Republican | | Patrick Morrisey |