By Gary Lloyd
TRUSSVILLE — New Alabama House of Representatives District 44 Rep. Danny Garrett was sworn into office Wednesday morning at the Trussville Civic Center.
About 120 people attended the ceremony, where Alabama Supreme Court Associate Justice Mike Bolin administered the oath of office.
“I was shocked,” Garrett said of the large turnout. “That was very humbling and gratifying.”
Garrett won the June Republican primary race for the State House District 44 seat over fellow Trussville candidates John Amari and Joe Freeman. Garrett earned 3,502 votes, Amari garnered 2,447 votes and Freeman received 725 votes. He was unopposed in the Nov. 4 general election.
State House District 44 covers Clay, Pinson and Trussville. All three communities were represented on Wednesday’s program.
Garrett said the 30-minute program included special music and scripture passages that are important to him.
While being sworn in, Garrett had his left hand on two Bibles held by his wife, Carol. One belonged to his paternal grandmother, the other his maternal great-grandmother. Garrett said his paternal grandmother died before he was born, but by all accounts she was a woman of deep faith. He said his maternal great-grandmother was also a woman of strong faith.
“To know that I was holding the Bibles of two women who were the spiritual rocks in their family, it kind of brought it all home,” Garrett said. “That was special.”
Garrett said he’ll be attending a national education conference in Washington D.C. later this month. He’s been told he’ll likely have involvement with education and commerce at the state level.
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.