If you’re reading this in the state of Virginia, there’s a good chance that you — or someone you know — is a candidate for lieutenant governor.

OK, that might be a bit of an exaggeration. But the field is so crowded this year, you might want to check and make sure. Again, only kidding there, but there are quite a few people who think they’re the right person for the job. At last count, there were six Democratic candidates on the ballot and one Republican, officially.

This isn’t the first time this has happened in our state. Back in 2013, the Republican nomination was sought by seven candidates. Eventually, the party decided on E.W. Jackson, a minister and former Marine from Chesapeake. He was defeated by a Democratic doctor named Ralph Northam, who would go on to become governor in 2017. Northam’s ascension to the governorship gives us some insight into why so many people are interested in this position that is mostly ceremonial.

It’s similar to what’s known in the basketball world as the “dunker’s spot.” If you haven’t been watching the NBA playoffs this year, please allow me to explain. It’s a spot near the basket that, if you position yourself at the right time, puts you in place to receive a pass from a teammate and attempt a high-percentage shot — which may involve some rim-hanging afterward, if performed successfully.

Several individuals have served as both lieutenant governor and governor of Virginia. Tim Kaine, Doug Wilder, Bob McDonnell, Charles Robb, John Dalton, the aforementioned Northam and James Hubert Price all benefited from being in the right place and being able to execute when called upon.

Not everyone can pull off the transition, despite the advantage that positioning yourself near your goal provides. The last person to find this out was attorney Justin Fairfax, who was defeated in a primary election in 2021 after serving as lieutenant governor.

We can rule out financial gain as a reason for the crowded ballot. The pay for lieutenant governor is $50,000 per year and hasn’t increased since 2021. That salary is comparable to what some school teachers and state troopers make, but they likely don’t receive an extra $15,000 for expenses. Still, Virginia ranks as one of the lowest-paying states for the position. Lieutenant governors also have to find their own place to live, as the governor’s mansion, with its nine bedrooms, doesn’t have the space.

The lieutenant governor’s day-to-day duties include presiding over the state senate and casting tie-breaking votes. But the real value of the position lies in its proximity to power and the political connections it provides.

So when considering a candidate for lieutenant governor, we should keep in mind the spot we’re putting them in. They’re going to be close to a position of power. They’re going to know how the game is played and how the team works.

That makes this more than just a warm-up job. It’s a test run. And in a commonwealth where governors are constitutionally limited to one consecutive term, the lieutenant governor becomes an obvious next pick when the buzzer sounds. So pay attention to this race now — because you’re not just choosing a lieutenant governor. You’re likely choosing Virginia’s next gubernatorial candidate.