Paul J. Hardy, who served from 1988 to 1992, was the first Republican to be elected to the position since the Reconstruction Era.

[1] Prior to that, the successor to the governor in the event of his death or resignation was the President of the Louisiana State Senate.

[2] A number of state senate presidents succeeded governors before the 1845 Constitution was adopted, including Henry S. Thibodaux, Armand Beauvais and Jacques Dupre.

[5][9] Accordingly, state law designates the lieutenant governor as the commissioner of the Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism.

[5][10] In this capacity they appoint the department's secretary and several other leading officers, subject to the confirmation of the State Senate.