Members of Alamance County’s legislative delegation, elected or re-elected in November, were sworn into office Thursday morning in the Historic Court House in downtown Graham with N.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newby administering the oath to the three legislators.
Re-elected were state senator Amy Galey (accompanied by her husband Fred) and Rep. Dennis Riddell (accompanied by his wife Polly). Elected (again) after a two-year hiatus of Democrat Ricky Hurtado holding the other state house seat was Rep. Steve Ross (accompanied by his wife Tammy).
Clerk of Court Meredith Edwards (also re-elected and unopposed in November) gave the welcoming comments in the second-floor courtroom of the courthouse. Newly-elected school board member Dan Ingle gave an opening prayer and led the audience of about 100 in the Pledge of Allegiance.
County commissioner Craig Turner, who led the countywide balloting in November, introduced the chief justice, emphasizing the justice’s familiarity with and love for the North Carolina state constitution.
Turner stressed Newby’s record as “honorable, dedicated, and professional” with a “deep commitment to public service.”
[Story continues below collage of photos from the swearing-in ceremony.]
Newby, who was accompanied on the visit by his wife, Macon, gave brief remarks stressing the importance of constitutional government and citing the significance of the Battle of Alamance as a precursor to the Revolutionary War.
Newby also emphasized the state constitution’s promises and requirements for having open courtrooms and speedy, impartial justice.
Several speakers noted the importance of voting, with it being noted that Ross won his election by about 800 votes and that Newby had won his statewide race in 2020 by about 400 votes.
After they were sworn in, the three legislators gave brief comments, with each thanking their spouses, families, and supporters for work and encouragement during the campaign season and pledging to work hard for their Alamance County constituents in the General Assembly in Raleigh.
The ages represented at the ceremony included the youngest, Leighton Riddell, the seven-week-old grandson of Rep. Dennis Riddell and his wife Polly (and son of Riddell’s son Nathan and his wife Lauren, both of Snow Camp) to the oldest, who state senator Galey did not ask to volunteer their title to the honorific.
Among other officeholders at the ceremony were sheriff Terry Johnson; county commissioner chairman John Paisley and vice chairman Steve Carter (in addition to Turner); school board members Chuck Marsh and Charles Parker (in addition to Ingle, all of whom were elected in November); district attorney Sean Boone (who had been re-elected in November); and probably the only Democratic official was senior resident superior court judge Tom Lambeth.
See photos from earlier swearing-in ceremonies last month: https://alamancenews.com/re-elected-and-new-officials-sworn-in-monday/
