MARION - In a ritual not seen here for 24 years, a senator born and raised in Marion County was sworn into office Tuesday night.

Kent Williams was sworn in by Judge James E. Brogdon Jr. of the 12th Judicial Circuit Court during an evening ceremony in front of the Marion County Courthouse.

About 300 people, mostly from Marion County, braved the chilly temperatures and a light drizzle to witness “one of their own” take the oath of office for District 30 after defeating incumbent Maggie Glover in an Oct. 12 runoff by a 2,876-vote margin.

Williams said that when the new legislative session begins Jan. 11, his priorities are to “meet the people in Columbia, find out who control the finances and help improve the district.”

Williams thanked God, his family and campaign workers during his acceptance speech.

He also thanked “those who helped, but I have never met. All of you believed a change was needed for District 30.” Williams’ road to victory was rife with controversy, as allegations of voter fraud and tainted absentee ballots led to a 18-3 vote by the state Democratic Party Executive Committee to void the results of the June 8 primary, in which Williams finished second to Glover but only six votes ahead of third-place finished Tim Norwood.

Williams told the crowd not to the think of his political opponents as enemies. He said the real enemies of District 30 are the lack of jobs and lack of education.

“A house divided against itself cannot stand,” Williams said, quoting from the Bible.

According to what he was told by the State Senate clerk, Williams said his term officially began Nov. 8, just six days after the Nov. 2 general election. When the new legislative session begins in January, there likely will be a ceremony at the Statehouse to swear-in all newly-elected state senators, Williams said.

Williams, who most recently served as Marion County’s deputy administrator, also was chairman of the Marion County Board of Education.

Cheryl Allread, superintendent of Marion School District 1, said Williams resigned last week from his school post. And while Allread said she is a little sad to see Williams leave the board, she is pleased to see him move up to the Statehouse.

“Now he will touch more people than just in Marion County,” she said.

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