Does Mass. need a lieutenant governor?

BOSTON (MyFoxBoston.com) -- Tim Murray, former lieutenant governor, resigned more than a year ago and so far he hasn't been replaced. Does the Commonwealth really need a lieutenant governor?

The lieutenant governor steps in for the governor when he or she is not in the state. They are also available just in case something happens. The person in that position also presides over governor's council.

But we haven't had a lieutenant governor officially since last June, leaving people to wonder if the position is really necessary. If you talk to the candidates for the position, they'll tell you why they believe the job is sorely needed. However, it is so important, why hasn't it been filled since last year when Murray stepped down amid a campaign fundraising scandal?

And has the state been hurt in any way because he's no longer there?

FOX 25's Sharman Sacchetti caught up with some of the candidates Thursday.

Democratic Candidate Mike Lake said, "As the constitution mandates the lieutenant governor presides over the governor's council and casts the tie breaking vote. But the real value of the lieutenant governor's office is in its flexibility. To meet the needs of its times."

Democratic Candidate Leland Cheung said there are two ways to do the job.

"You can either forge the governor's signature whenever she or he is out of town or you can actually use it in the way that I want to do it, which is to reboot the lieutenant governor's role to be responsive to residents."

In a statement, Democratic Candidate for Lieutenant Governor Steve Kerrigan calls the job critical, and says local officials depend on it when they need state help in their communities. And Republican Candidate for Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito says the job is what you make of it, and she wants to work across party lines.

Right now, without a lieutenant governor, Democratic Secretary of State Bill Galvin takes over when Democratic Governor Deval Patrick is out of town.

But what if the next governor is a Republican?

Stonehill Political Professor Peter Ubertaccio points out that could present some big policy problems.

"If you have a situation where there is no lieutenant governor and the secretary of state and the governor don't see eye to eye on major policies you could have real political conflict on your hands," he said.

While some candidates run as a team, others do not and the lieutenant governor is elected separately. The primary is Sept. 9.

Cox Media Group