Taking Office: Inaugurations of Virginia’s Governors, 1942-2010

Former governors gather at the State Capitol, 16 January 2010, for the inauguration of Bob McDonnell: (L to R) Charles Robb (1982-1986), Linwood Holton (1970-1974), Doug Wilder (1990-1994), George Allen (1994-1998), Bob McDonnell (2010-2014), Tim Kaine (2006-2010), Gerald Baliles (1986-1990), and James Gilmore (1998-2002). Citation: Virginia. Governor (2010-2014 : McDonnell)

The inauguration is an official function of the General Assembly. In December 1941, Governor-elect Colgate W. Darden, Jr. and Lt. Governor-elect William Tuck, requested that the inauguration be moved from the south portico of the Capitol to the north side. This prompted a lengthy response from Colonel E. Griffith Dodson, Clerk of the House of Delegates, stating why he opposed the move.

Many of the activities associated with gubernatorial inaugurations today had been established by the 1930s. The retiring governor drove to the governor-elect’s hotel and escorted the new governor to Capitol Square. The new governor entered a joint meeting of the two houses of the General Assembly in the chamber of the House of Delegates. Then the entire legislature and invited guests moved to the south portico of the Capitol where the governor was sworn in and delivered his inaugural address.

The inaugural ceremonies begin at noon with the administration of the oaths of office in this order: the Attorney General-elect, the Lieutenant Governor-elect, and finally the Governor-elect. It is followed by the Governor’s inaugural address. Governor William M. Tuck (1946-1950) pauses during his inaugural address to acknowledge applause from the crowd. Tuck’s inauguration was the first to be televised in the commonwealth.

A grandson of slaves, Lawrence Douglas Wilder (1931– ) was sworn in as governor of Virginia on 13 January 1990. Wilder made history in 1985 when he became the first African American elected to statewide office, and was sworn in as lieutenant governor in 1986. In 1989 he was the nation's first elected African American governor. Witnesses to the inauguration were the new governor's daughter, son, and daughter-in-law, flanking him, retired United States Supreme Court Associate Justice Lewis F. Powell (1907–1998), who administered the oath of office, at the right, and retiring Governor Gerald L. Baliles (1940– ). Wilder's inauguration as governor in January 1990 was doubly notable in that the first woman to win election to statewide office, Mary Sue Terry, was sworn in on the same day as attorney general of Virginia.

Today, events associated with gubernatorial inaugurations include a church service, a parade, the swearing-in, receptions, and balls.  As campaigns have increased in cost, inaugural committees have turned to marketing to use inaugural balls and receptions as a means to raise funds. The inaugural committee for Mark R. Warner in 2002 offered three tiers of sponsorship packages: Governor’s Circle, Old Dominion Sponsor, and Commonwealth Sponsor. Each package offer included tickets to various inaugural balls, concerts, and receptions

Inauguration day marks the end of one gubernatorial administration and the beginning of the next. While a new governor takes office every four years, the traditions and ceremonies of that day symbolize continuity in the transfer of power in Virginia. Image: Governor Bob McDonnell carries First Lady Maureen McDonnell over the threshold at the Executive Mansion, 16 January 2010.