Nixon takes office

The inauguration makes him Missouri's 55th governor.

By Andrew Denney

Published Jan. 12, 2009

After placing his hand on an old family Bible and taking the official oath, Jay Nixon inherited an office that, in the coming four years, will be challenged by a Republican-controlled legislature and tempered by a tight budget in a period of economic recession.

The oath was administered by Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice Laura Denvir Stith under a gray sky on a cold January morning. Nixon, a Democrat from DeSoto, was sworn in as Missouri's 55th governor on the steps of the Capitol in Jefferson City.

Steering the state through economic uncertainty and doing so with bipartisan cooperation were the topics that dominated Nixon's acceptance speech, which lasted just more than 10 minutes.

During his acceptance speech, Nixon said the challenges that the state faces are historic.

"To bring about a new day in Missouri, we will need to implement new policies," Nixon said. "This new day will not be possible unless there is a new tone in Jefferson City."

Nixon said partisanship "has stood in the way of progress" in Missouri.

"The only way we'll meet the needs of Missouri families is by working together," Nixon said. "In a bipartisan way, across the aisle."

Four other statewide office holders were sworn in before Nixon. Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder and Secretary of State Robin Carnahan returned to their positions after being re-elected. Newcomers Clint Zweifel, who will serve as state treasurer, and Chris Koster, who succeeds Nixon as attorney general, also took office.

Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph, who served as the master of ceremonies for the inauguration, said Nixon "set the right tone" in his speech in terms of promoting bipartisan cooperation.

"That's the model we have to follow to be successful," Shields said.

MU College Democrats President Brian Roach, who sat behind the podium with political figures such as former U.S. attorney general and former Missouri Gov. John Ashcroft, U.S. Sens. Kit Bond and Claire McCaskill and the Democratic members of the Missouri Congressional delegation, echoed the need for bi-partisan cooperation in the Capitol.

"We need to work hard for what we want," Roach said. "We shouldn't sacrifice working together."   

Ben Grisamore, an MU freshman and the son of Rep. Jeff Grisamore, R-Lee's Summit, said that while he hoped now-former Gov. Matt Blunt would have run again for the seat, Nixon would be able to work with both parties.

"I think with a different economic outlook we're going to have to change the way we work," he said.  

Former Gov. Bob Holden, a Democrat who served as governor from 2000 to 2004, who was seated next to former Govs. Ashcroft and Roger Wilson, said that he thinks Nixon will be able to work with the legislature. He said he has spoken with leaders of both parties and encouraged them to work together in the upcoming session.

"When you have the financial problems we have facing the state of Missouri, the way you address those in any meaningful way is if both parties are willing to sit down and work together," he said.