Other state officials take oath of office with less fanfare

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While the spotlight Monday was on Jerry Brown taking the oath of office as governor, several other statewide constitutional officers took office with less fanfare, and one postponed his ceremony.

Those who took the oath of office Monday included newly elected Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris, newly elected Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson and State Controller John Chiang.

Reelected state Treasurer Bill Lockyer and new Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones were also scheduled to take the oath of office Monday.

Harris’ ceremony was held at the California Museum for History, Women & the Arts, which is fitting given that she is the first woman and first African American elected as California’s attorney general.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom delayed assuming office as lieutenant governor. He has scheduled an inaugural ceremony for Jan. 10 but could take office this weekend. The delay in resigning as mayor could allow Newsom allies newly elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors to take office and pick an interim mayor to succeed Newsom, who has clashed with some of the current supervisors.

Not all of the inaugural ceremonies were being held in Sacramento.

Torlakson was sworn in at the gymnasium of Mount Diablo High School in Concord, where he taught science and world history before being elected to his state post.

-- Patrick McGreevy