COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Gov. Nikki Haley was sworn in Wednesday to her second term as South Carolina’s governor. A by-the-numbers look at the ceremony:
-3 former governors attended: Democratic Gov. Dick Riley (1979-87), GOP Gov. David Beasley (1995-99), and Democratic Gov. Jim Hodges (1999-2003). Also in the processional were Iris Campbell, widow of the late GOP Gov. Carroll Campbell; and Jenny Sanford, ex-wife of former Gov. Mark Sanford.
-Haley’s inaugural address was 10 minutes.
-The entire ceremony lasted 90 minutes. Nearly 40 minutes was consumed by the procession of legislators, judges, U.S. senators, dignitaries, former governors, inaugural chairmen, college presidents and state officers down the Statehouse steps.
-Dignitaries included New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a potential 2016 GOP presidential contender; and 17 representatives of 16 countries: China, India, Argentina, Canada, Germany, Haiti, Korea, Mexico, Peru, Switzerland, Japan, France, Georgia, Guatemala, Italy, and Slovakia. Mexico was represented by both its consul general based in Raleigh, North Carolina; and its honorary consul in Charlotte, North Charlotte.
-4 choirs participated, from Benedict College, Claflin University, the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, and River Bluff High, where Haley’s daughter attends school.
-2 new statewide officers were sworn in: Lt. Gov. Henry McMaster and education Superintendent Molly Spearman, both Republicans. All other statewide officers were re-elected.
-0 of South Carolina’s U.S. House members attended, though both U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott did.
-About 1,800 people attended in 38-degree, overcast weather.
Other highlights:
- The Pledge of Allegiance was led by retired Marine Cpl. Kyle Carpenter, who received the nation’s highest military honor last June. The Afghanistan veteran is a University of South Carolina student majoring in international studies.
- The National Anthem was sung by Candice Glover, the 2013 “American Idol” winner and a Beaufort County native.
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