..... then Northum appoints a new Dem-approved LT Gov, then resigns to a cushy 7-figure lobbyists job, new Lt becomes Gov.
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No - Lt Gov doesn’t work that way. Here is how it works (link at bottom - article written by Ken Cuccinelli, former Atty General of the State of VA):
If the Lieutenant Governor were elevated to the Governorship or if he resigned — now a genuine possibility — then the current President Pro Tem of the State Senate “assumes the duties” of the lieutenant governor. Note that the President Pro Tem does not assume the office of LG. It is a subtle difference, but the office of lieutenant governor would be left open until the next statewide election in 2021.
The current President Pro Tem of the Virginia Senate is Senator Steve Newman of the Lynchburg area. Steve is a Republican — a mild-mannered conservative who is well-liked on both sides of the aisle.
Interestingly, Steve would NOT have to give up his Senate seat as he assumed the duties of the LG. That means that he would get his vote as a state senator, and he would also get to vote to break any ties that arise in the chamber.
It is worth noting that the entire General Assembly is up for election this year and the state senate is currently 21-19 in favor of the Republicans. If the Democrats take control, they can elect their own President Pro Tem of the Senate, who would then have his/her own senate vote and also be able to break ties.
Cuccinelli: Got governor trouble? Here’s how Virginia’s succession law works
http://thebullelephant.com/cuccinelli-got-governor-trouble-heres-how-virginias-succession-law-works/
Sorry.
That is true but irrelevant.
Gov fills any vacant office by appointment.
The office would quickly be filled.
(Of course lawyers will be going to Obama’s Fourth Circuit for nutcase rulings. That may be fun.)