News reports indicate that Democratic gubernatorial contender Eliot Spitzer will soon announce that he favors David Paterson to be his lieutenant governor. When that announcement occurs, you will see Mr. Spitzer gushing over his choice for number two. That’s politics as usual, but also dangerously misleading. History suggests that neither Mr. Spitzer nor anyone else running for governor this year will work with his lieutenant governor after the election.

Three times, George Pataki wooed the female vote by choosing a woman lieutenant governor. In 1994, when he made his first bid for governor, he had me at his side, running for lieutenant governor. In 1998 and again in 2002 he campaigned with Mary Donohue.

Orchestrated scenes such as these are like false campaign promises. That’s a serious problem, because the state constitution requires that the lieutenant governor assume the governorship if the governor dies, becomes incapacitated, or moves on to another job. The New York State Constitution provides for succession, but it’s up to the governor to make it a practical possibility – ensuring that the state would be in experienced hands.

Not since Nelson Rockefeller has a governor fulfilled that duty. That was 40 years ago.

Rockefeller (governor from 1959 to 1973) relied on Malcolm Wilson, a skilled politician, to navigate through the political landmines in Albany and cover for him when Rockefeller was out of the state running for president. Wilson had significant responsibilities. Every governor since then used his number two to help win the election and then shut him out when the real governing began.

Lieutenant Governor Mary Ann Krupsak (1974-1978), was excluded from meetings with the governor and his inner circle and was barely on speaking terms with Hugh Carey. Mario Cuomo’s first lieutenant governor, Al DelBello, quit in exasperation at having so little to do. The current lieutenant governor, Ms. Donohue, appears to have been given few responsibilities.

That’s why voters should feel skeptical about Mr. Spitzer’s choice and point blank ask him: Are you willing to work with your lieutenant governor?

If not, the cost to taxpayers is unjustified and enormous: as much as $750,000 a year for salary, security, and staff. Even worse is the risk of handing over state government to an unprepared successor.

Nationwide, over the last century, 51 governors have died in office. Others have left office for another job. When Texas governor George W. Bush was elected president, his lieutenant governor, Rick Perry, took over. Lieutenant governors also replaced Governor Tommy Thompson of Wisconsin and Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge, who left office to take prominent jobs in the Bush administration.

To be prepared for succession, a no. 2 needs to be put to work. It’s true for lieutenant governors and for vice presidents as well. Harry Truman was so locked out of FDR’s dealings that he was unaware of the development of the atomic bomb. When he became president, he had to turn to Eleanor Roosevelt for help, relying on correspondence from her to explain the administration’s policies, critique the players, and lend insights about world leaders.

That’s why this year’s gubernatorial candidates – including Mr. Spitzer – should be honest about whether they will actually use their lieutenant governor. If they won’t make that commitment, it may be time to abolish the office by constitutional amendment and provide another successor to the governor.

Ms. McCaughey served as lieutenant governor from 1994 to 1998. She is chairman of the Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths.