A Lieutenant Governor is a deputy and/or successor to a head of state within a given jurisdiction. The role of a Lieutenant Governor varies depending on jurisdiction.
In most U.S. states, the Lieutenant Governor is the deputy to the state Governor. In some states, the Lieutenant Governor acts as the President of the Senate and/or the Secretary of State. The Lieutenant Governor is typically second in the line of succession after the Governor, taking over in the Governor's absence, and, in the event of the Governor's death, resignation, or removal from office, becomes either the Governor or the acting Governor.
In Canada, the Governor General appoints a Lieutenant Governor for each province to represent the Queen in her capacity as Crown in Right of that province. The Lieutenant Governors act as the de facto heads of the provincial states, with roles that are largely ceremonial, but also include the duty to ensure the continuity of stable provincial governments and to protect against ministerial abuse of power.
In Australia, a lieutenant Governor is someone who stands ready to step in for the Governor-General or a state Governor should it become necessary. This role has no powers of its own, but may be filled in conjunction with holding another office. On the federal level, it is filled by the longest serving state Governor, and in the states of New South Wales and Victoria, it is filled by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
In the British Crown Dependencies of Guernsey, the Isle of Mann, and Jersey, the Lieutenant Governor represents the British Crown and acts as the de facto head of state, as well as a liaison between the UK government and government of the dependency in question.
In the Indian union territories of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Delhi, and Pondicherry, the Lieutenant-Governor acts as the administrator of that territory under the direction of the federal government, and is appointed by the President.
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A Lt. Governor is second in command to the Governor in state government, like the Vice President to the President in national government.