Luallen publicly sworn in as Kentucky’s 56th Lieutenant Governor
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 14, 2014) — Surrounded by family, friends and supporters at her public swearing-in, Lt. Gov. Crit Luallen today vowed to help Gov. Steve Beshear continue his momentum over the next year in strengthening Kentucky and its future.
“This is not a day for laying out a new agenda, but it is a good day to celebrate all that is right and good about our state’s past and its hopes for the future,” Luallen said. “It is indeed a high honor to stand in partnership with Gov. Beshear. He has led Kentucky with a steady hand through a dire financial crisis, worked to protect education, steadily created new jobs and will leave as his greatest legacy a healthier Kentucky. I look forward to doing all that I can to support his continuing efforts to build a Kentucky poised for the future.”
Luallen was officially sworn in Thursday by former chief justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court John S. Palmore at a private ceremony. At today’s public event, Franklin Circuit Court Chief Judge Phillip Shepherd administered the oath of office.
Luallen was appointed to the office by Beshear when former Lt. Gov. Jerry Abramson resigned his post for a position with the White House.
In her remarks, Luallen talked about her deep family roots in public service. She is descended from two 19th century Kentucky governors — John J. Crittenden and Luke P. Blackburn.
In pledging to work hand in hand with Beshear, Luallen said she looks forward to improving the long-term health of Kentucky and changing its dismal health statistics.
“I am in public service because I believe in Kentucky. I look at our past and know we have the strength and the ability to build the future that our people so richly deserve,” Luallen said. “I believe that a state that has made breakthroughs for the world in medical research, from cervical cancer vaccine to the development of a treatment for the Ebola virus, is a state that should not rest until we no longer have the highest mortality rate for cancer, or among the worst statistics for heart disease, lung disease and obesity.”
Beshear said Luallen will be a valued partner over the next year.
“My search for Jerry Abramson’s replacement began and ended with one person: Crit Luallen,” Beshear said. “There is no one more qualified. Crit believes – with all her heart – that public service is an honorable calling. And she knows government to be – at its best – a friend to the vulnerable, a partner in economic progress and a force for change.”
Luallen is a former state auditor of public accounts who has decades of experience in Kentucky’s executive branch, including stints as state budget director, secretary of the Governor’s Executive Cabinet, secretary of the Finance and Administration Cabinet and secretary of the Tourism Cabinet.
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