The current lieutenant governor is Garlin Gilchrist, a Democrat, who has held the office since January 1, 2019.

Following the August primary election in each gubernatorial election year, the state's two largest political parties convene a state convention and nominate candidates for lieutenant governor, secretary of state and attorney general, among other offices.

Historically, the governor and lieutenant governor were elected separately, leading to occasions where Republicans controlled one office and the Democrats another (as with George Romney and T. John Lesinski).

The lieutenant governor will also occasionally head blue-ribbon commissions into pressing public policy issues.

Source: Michigan Manual 2003-2004, Chapter IV, Former Officials of Michigan Italics indicate next-in-line of succession for states and territories without a directly elected lieutenant governor or whose lieutenant governor office is vacant: