Nine Wood County officials took their oaths of office in a ceremony in the district courtroom in Quitman Wednesday morning, Jan. 1, witnessed by family and friends.

Four of the nine are new office holders while four are entering a second term and one – Prec. 3 County Commissioner Mike Simmons – is beginning his third term.

After County Judge Kevin White swore in District Judge Brad McCampbell for his second term on the bench, White, McCampbell and Prec. 1 Justice of the Peace Tony Gilbreath swore in the remaining officials.

As White concluded the ceremony, he offered the new office holders a piece of advice – that their phones will start ringing.

And during his closing prayer, he asked for blessings on the families as well, because they, too, are elected along with their loved one.

White swore in one of two new constables who are replacing retiring officials.

Bobby Tucker was sworn in as Prec. 2 constable by White, and Robert Holland took the oath as Prec. 1 constable from McCampbell.

Both were elected in November after winning contested Republican primaries last March.

Holland replaces Steve Bowser and Tucker follows Kelly Smith.

Wood County’s first two-term sheriff in many years, Kelly Cole, took his oath from Gilbreath, as did new Prec. 1 county commissioner Justin Bowring.

Cole was unopposed in the primary and general election, while Bowring won a GOP primary runoff to replace Virgil Holland.

McCampbell administered the oath to Simmons, who faced the only Democrat on the local ballot in November, as well as a Republican primary opponent.

Angie Luman also swore her oath under McCampbell’s direction. She was unopposed in the Republican primary and general election and replaces longtime tax assessor-collector Carol Taylor, who was among those also recognized at the ceremony.

Luman has served as a chief deputy in the office.

Oaths by Holland and second-term constables John McQueen in Prec. 3 and Chase Glover in Prec. 4 concluded the event.

Holland won the March primary while McQueen and Glover had no opposition.

Tate and Seth Converse, sons of Wood County District Attorney Angela Albers, led the pledges to the American and Texas flags, respectively.

White called it a great occasion to start off the year.

In his opening prayer, he asked that those put in these positions be blessed with wisdom and guidance.