Governor-elect Jay Nixon becomes Governor Nixon today at noon. First elected Attorney General in 1992, Nixon becomes Missouri’s 55th governor; the 53rd person to win election as governor. Both Christopher Bond and Phil Donnelly served non-consecutive terms. Nixon will take the oath of office at Noon. Other statewide officeholders:  Lt. Governor Peter Kinder, Secretary of State Robin Carnahan, Treasurer-elect Clint Zweifel and Attorney General-elect Chris Koster will be sworn in prior to Nixon.

The inauguration is one of the biggest and most festive events in Jefferson City every four years. Today’s ceremony will conclude weeks of preparation, including a mock run through with Master of Ceremonies, Senate President Pro Temp Charlie Shields of St. Joseph, which took place Sunday.

Events begin with a parade at 10 o’clock. Special Olympics Hall of Famer, Shirlene Treadwell of Columbia, will serve as Grand Marshall. Treadwell works at a Sheltered Workshop and was won state and national honors for her athletic performances in the Special Olympics. Nixon is a supporter of the Special Olympics.

After the swearing in ceremony at the Capitol, a pot-luck dinner will be served a few blocks away at the Capitol Plaza Hotel. Conscious of the faltering economy, Nixon decided that it would be more appropriate and, perhaps, a bit fun to host a dinner in which his campaign staff will serve hot-dogs and hamburgers and side dishes. The public is asked to bring dessert. Due to safety concerns, only store-bought desserts will be accepted.

The Inaugural Ball, held inside the Capitol, begins at 7pm. It is open to the public.
The Missourinet will carry the inauguration of Jay Nixon live, with the broadcast beginning at 11:30am. News Director Bob Priddy will be anchoring his 11th Missouri gubernatorial inauguration from the south lawn of the Capitol.  For the first time, the Missourinet will be providing video of the ceremonies. [Photo by Bill Greenblaatt, UPI]