Kathy McGuiness Sworn-In As State Auditor Today

At the Old State House in Dover today, Kathy McGuiness was sworn-in as the first female Delaware State Auditor.  With a packed room, many other Delaware public officials attended the ceremony along with McGuiness’ family and friends.

Other legislators and public officials in attendance were Speaker of the House Pete Schwartzkopf, soon-to-be sworn in State Senator Trey Paradee, Lieutent Governor Bethany Hall-Long, new State Representative Kendra Johnson, and new State Senator Darius Brown.

Former Delaware Governor Jack Markell gave opening remarks.

After that, McGuiness was officially sworn in by retired Superior Court Judge Susan Del Pesco.

McGuiness gave her own remarks for about six minutes but unfortunately the file was too big to download from my phone.  She did say she would work hard for the office and her strongest expectation was to herself.  She vowed to do right by the people of Delaware.

After the ceremony, McGuiness graciously walked around the room and thanked every single person for attending.  Including myself.  I shook her hand and said “Congratulations, fresh start.”  She said thank you.

It was odd seeing Jack Markell again.  I can’t remember the last time I saw him.  Jack did not say hello to me but I wasn’t exactly in a position where he could so there is that.

Tabula Rasa

A clean slate.

2019 is here.  We have many newly elected officials in Delaware.  Legislators, a State Auditor, a State Treasurer, and an Attorney General.  They all have a once in a lifetime chance to begin something new and to start a new conversation.

Even the ones I have gone after in the past have a clean slate.  Their world is just beginning no matter how they got there.  They have a golden opportunity to do more than the status quo.  They have a chance to steer Delaware in a new and better direction.

Beginning today, we will see these public officials being sworn in to their new roles.  In exactly a week from now, many new State Reps and State Senators will become a vital part of the public eye.  What they do and how they do it will become the foundation of their future.

Who will go against the grain?  Who will put the needs of Delaware citizens over corporate interests?  Who will dare to fight their own party for what is right and just?  We will find out.

In modern times, Tabula Rasa was the title of the third episode of the hit television show, LOST.  As we slowly learned about the secrets harbored by the survivors of Oceanic 815, we also see that they are beginning anew.  Despite the history they had before the island, they had the chance to start over again in their present circumstance.  This is the reality of all the new elected officials in Delaware.

I will give all of them a chance.  And I mean ALL of them.  Even the one I have written about the most on here.  Because, as of tomorrow, that person will be in a very unique position and how she does that will be the truest testament to her character and I truly hope she rises above my expectations.  I will believe they all mean what they say and how they want to make life better for Delaware.  If they slip and fall, I will be there.  If they succeed, I will be there.  I am watching them with curious eyes.  In my eyes, it is about more than political party.  I have always believed that.  It is about doing what is right, especially for kids.  Because they don’t always have a voice and they truly don’t care about Democrats or Republicans.