The incumbent holder of the office is Republican Kim Ward.
[1] The office is filled through election by the full Senate membership, though its holder typically comes from the majority party.
The President pro tempore is designated as second in the gubernatorial succession, behind the Lieutenant Governor.
[1][2][3] The President pro tempore presides over the Senate in the absence of the Lieutenant Governor and appoints committee chairpersons, votes on all bills, and is the leader of the Senate.
In issues involving both chambers of the General Assembly, the President pro tempore confers with the Speaker of the House.