Bill Bolling re-elected lieutenant governor

Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling easily won a second term as lieutenant governor tonight, defeating Democrat Jody Wagner, a former state treasurer, according to unofficial returns.

Virginia’s lieutenant governor makes just $36,321 a year and has only two constitutionally mandated duties—presiding over the Virginia Senate and being ready to take over should a governor resign or die in office. But Virginia’s lieutenant governor traditionally plays another important role—gearing up to run for governor. Bolling sought re-election rather than contest with Bob McDonnell for the Republican nomination for governor.

Recent lieutenant governors who later were elected governor include Republican John N. Dalton and Democrats Charles S. Robb, L. Douglas Wilder and the state’s current governor, Timothy M. Kaine