Fletcher Is Sworn into Office in Midnight Ceremony

Lexington, KY, Herald-Leader ^ | 12-09-03 | Wolfe, Charles, AP

[Theodore R.]

Fletcher is sworn into office in midnight ceremony CHARLES WOLFE Associated Press

Associated Press

Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher addresses people gathered in the Capitol Rotunda after being sworn-in just after midnight, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2003, in Frankfort. Fletcher is the first Republican to hold the office in 32 years.

FRANKFORT, Ky. - Gov. Ernie Fletcher was sworn into office in a private, midnight ceremony to complete Kentucky's transition to a Republican administration for the first time in a generation.

Fletcher simultaneously resigned his seat in the U.S. House - an act formalized Monday night in letters delivered to House Speaker Dennis Hastert and to a representative of departing Gov. Paul Patton. The letter specified that the resignation and the swearing-in were to coincide, an aide said.

Ahead lay a long day of pomp, public ceremony and just plain partying. But first came paperwork.

Fletcher signed an order appointing Donald Storm as adjutant general, satisfying the Kentucky Constitution's mandate that the state must never be without one. Appointment of the adjutant general traditionally is a new governor's first official act.

Within the hour, Fletcher was in his Capitol office signing orders to appoint some of the members of his new staff and cabinet, including Lt. Gov. Steve Pence as justice secretary and Fletcher's campaign manager, Daniel Groves, as chief of staff, a post Groves held in Fletcher's congressional office.

Fletcher spokesman Wes Irvin said the new governor also was appointing Mike Duncan, an Inez banker who has been general counsel to the Republican National Committee, as a "special senior adviser." Duncan headed Fletcher's transition team. It was unclear whether Duncan would be a constant presence at the Capitol.

The swearing-in ceremony, a private affair for about 180 invited guests, took place inside the Capitol Rotunda, which glittered with gold and white holiday decorations.

Fletcher, his hand on a family Bible, stood by wife Glenna as Chief Justice Joseph Lambert administered Kentucky's quaintly archaic constitutional oath - a promise to uphold the law and a vow by the new officeholder that he has never fought a duel.

"It's overwhelming," Fletcher told his audience. "It's hard to know what to feel."

Some of his fellow Republicans felt a sense of history, considering it had been 36 years since Kentucky last inaugurated a Republican governor. In introductory remarks, Duncan told the audience to "welcome this special moment in history."

Fletcher also had a historical prop, signing his first order on a pedestal base table once owned by statesman Henry Clay. Irvin, his spokesman, said it was borrowed for the occasion from the Clay estate in Lexington.

Fletcher, Patton and their wives planned to attend a private worship service Tuesday morning at First Christian Church in downtown Frankfort. An inaugural parade was to step off at 10 a.m. EST. Fletcher's public, ceremonial swearing-in and inaugural address outside the Capitol were scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.

[ken5050]

any news on the special election?