Roy Cooper to take oath of office shortly after 2017 starts

RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — North Carolina’s new governor won’t waste much time getting to work.

According to an e-mail from Roy Cooper‘s transition team, the Democrat will take the oath of office as North Carolina’s 75th governor shortly after midnight Sunday.

The release says Cooper will gather at the State Capitol New Year’s Day with Secretary of State Elaine Marshall and a small group of family and staff for a private ceremony that will be closed to media other than pool coverage. North Carolina Chief Justice Mark Martin will administer the oath of office.

Cooper’s public inauguration ceremony is January 7, but the North Carolina Constitution allows the new administration to take over on January 1.

Cooper narrowly defeated Republican incumbent Pat McCrory this fall in a race that took weeks to officially decide due to challenges and the possibility of a recount.