The current lieutenant governor is Eleni Kounalakis, a Democrat who was sworn into office on January 7, 2019.

The responsibilities of this independently elected office are largely concerned with core constitutional duties, higher education, natural resources, economic development.

[4] The lieutenant governor is the only elected official in California to have a comprehensive policymaking role over the entire higher education system.

[8] The lieutenant governor chairs the Commission for Economic Development, which is responsible for fostering economic growth in California by developing and implementing strategies for attracting new business to the state, increasing state exports, creating new jobs, and stimulating industries statewide.

The commission is composed of appointees from the legislature and the governor and currently does not have a quorum needed to meet.

[9] Many California projects created through gubernatorial executive orders, or through the initiative process, include a role for the lieutenant governor.

"[14] Despite its prestige, it has not historically been a strong springboard to higher political office; Gray Davis and current Governor Gavin Newsom are the only Democrats in state history and the only state politicians in the last eight decades to be elected governor after holding the post.