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Iowa's statewide elected officials take oath of office

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By Dan Gearino | Wednesday, January 03, 2007 |

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey, from left, Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller, Iowa Secretary of State Michael Mauro, Iowa State Auditor David Vaudt and Iowa State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald, stand together before take the oath of office during a swearing-in ceremony for statewide elected officials on Tuesday in Des Moines.

DES MOINES — Before a capacity audience of family and well-wishers, five Iowa statewide officeholders were sworn in Tuesday, among them newcomers Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey and Secretary of State Michael Mauro.

The inauguration, held at in the Supreme Court courtroom, marks the beginning of two weeks of ceremonies, with the governor and Legislature to be sworn in next week.

Northey and Mauro were joined by three officeholders who were re-elected: Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald, Attorney General Tom Miller and Auditor David Vaudt.

One by one, the men stepped to the front of the chamber, raised their right hands and repeated the oath of office. The oath was administered by two Supreme Court justices.

“It’s an enormous opportunity and is a big responsibility,” said Mauro, 59, a Democrat from Des Moines who previously was Polk County auditor. He succeeds Gov.-elect Chet Culver as secretary of state.

Northey, 47, a Republican from Spirit Lake and a farmer, was joined by his wife, three college-age daughters and his parents.

“We have many things to do. It’s a very exciting time for Iowa agriculture,” he said.

The ceremony is old hat for Fitzgerald and Miller, both of whom are entering their seventh terms in office. Fitzgerald, 55, a Democrat from Des Moines, was first elected in 1982 and has served ever since. Miller, 62, also a Democrat from Des Moines, was first elected in 1978, but did not run for re-election in 1990 so he could run for governor. He ran for attorney general again in 1994 and has served ever since.

“It’s a wonderful job and a wonderful opportunity to use the law to serve the needs of everyday Iowans,” he said.

Vaudt, 53, a Republican from West Des Moines, is beginning his second term in office.

“It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve as your state auditor for the last four years. I will continue to be the taxpayers’ watchdog for the next four,” he said.

Dan Gearino can be contacted at (515) 243-0138 or dan.gearino@lee.net.