They came from all over the state to celebrate Gov. Earl Ray Tombin’s big day.
Hundreds gathered along the south side of the state capitol as Tomblin, members of the Board of Public Works and two state Supreme Court justices took their oaths of office on Monday afternoon.
Simon Buckman from Berkeley County made the five-hour drive to watch the ceremony.
“It’s very historic. It’s a marvelous opportunity, once in a lifetime for us,” Buckman said.
Ken Fouts and his wife from Bridgeport also made the trip.
“This is the first time I’ve ever been to an inauguration,” Fouts said. “It’s interesting to see what happens.”
Not everyone was there just to see the governor. Patricia Rucker from Jefferson County was part of a group there to watch friend Patrick Morrisey take his oath of office as the state’s new Attorney General.
“This is very exciting!”
Her daughter Catherine worked on the Morrisey campaign.
“I made some phone calls. I did a little door to door work and participated in some rallies,” Catherine said.
Her reward was watching the political process in action as Morrisey was sworn in by Supreme Court Chief Justice Brent Benjamin.
Peter White of Nettie was a proud parent.
“Our daughter is actually in the procession. She’s one of the Governor’s Honors Academy students and she is escorting the agriculture commissioner in today,” White said.
While the weather wasn’t ideal, Amanda Davis of Lenore says it was worth the chill just to be there.
“It’s amazing! I’m just so excited to be a part of this!”