The current Senate president is Randy Smith, who has been in office since January 8, 2025.

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.

"[1] 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.

"[1] The West Virginia Constitution does not create or even mention the title of lieutenant governor.

[2] Earl Ray Tomblin was the first Senate president to thus have the title lieutenant governor of West Virginia.