Since Arizona does not have a lieutenant governor, the secretary stands first in the line of succession to the governorship.

The secretary is the keeper of the Seal of Arizona and administers oaths of office.

Bolin was also the shortest-serving governor, ascending to the governorship in 1977 after Raúl Héctor Castro resigned, and serving only 5 months before his death.

Only two secretaries of state have been elected governor without having first ascended to the office upon the death, resignation, or impeachment of a sitting governor: Sidney P. Osborn and Katie Hobbs.

Osborn was also the first governor to die in office, making Dan Garvey the first secretary of state to ascend to the position.