Ted Strickland was inaugurated Saturday as Ohio's 68th governor, marking the first time in 16 years that a Democrat has had control of the state government.
Strickland and Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher took their ceremonial oaths of office on the west lawn of the Statehouse in front of an estimated crowd of 2,000 people, who braved rainy weather to see the event. The newly elected governor and lieutenant governor were formally sworn into office in a private ceremony last Monday.
Strickland, a former U.S. representative from Ohio's District 6, was prepared to be inaugurated as governor, but his ministerial experience was unexpectedly tapped when the Portsmouth pastor scheduled to say the invocation at the ceremony was a no-show.
It's a small glitch but not one that's irreparable
said former U.S. Sen. John Glenn, who co-chaired the event. Ted among his other accomplishmentsG?is Rev. Ted Strickland.
The crowd laughed and applauded as Strickland, an ordained Methodist minister, took the stage to say an opening prayer at the ceremony.
Strickland likely channeled his experiences as a preacher for an emphatic delivery of his inaugural address, which stressed the importance of rebuilding Ohio.
I am convinced that the road to renewal ' the road to a new vibrant
growing Ohio
begins with building a system of education which is relevant to the needs of all Ohioans from pre-school through college and beyond
he said.
Another theme of Strickland's inaugural address was the need for Republican and Democratic Ohioans to unite to face the challenges ahead and to be the architects of Ohio's renewal.
Several Athens and Ohio University Democrats attended the inauguration of Strickland, who grew up in Appalachian Ohio.
I thought (the inaugural address) addressed the issues that needed to be addressed
said Susan Gwinn, the Athens County Democratic Party chair. I think (Strickland's election) definitely means the opportunity to change the way things have been done for a number of years. I think we'll go back to the business of helping everyone
not just the wealthy.
Students shared the sentiment of change. It was pretty great to see the leadership action physically change
which is huge for the Democrats
said Robert Dorans, president of the OU Democrats.
