Tomblin can finally get to work without a campaign - Beckley, Bluefield & Lewisburg News, Weather, Sports

Tomblin can finally get to work without a campaign

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Workers prepare the Capitol for the 2011 inaugural ceremony. Workers prepare the Capitol for the 2011 inaugural ceremony.
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MORGANTOWN (AP) -

For the third time in as many years, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin will take an oath to serve as West Virginia's chief executive.

But he said Monday's ceremony on the Capitol steps will be different in one key way: This time, he won't have to worry about campaigning.

He said Friday that he can enjoy the party this time around because he knows the job is his for a full four years.

Tomblin was first sworn in as acting governor in November 2010 after Joe Manchin resigned to claim a seat in the U.S. Senate. That seat became vacant with the 2010 death of long-time Sen. Robert C. Byrd.

Almost immediately, he began campaigning for the special election ordered by the courts. He narrowly won that 2011 fight and took the oath a second time for a 1-year term.

But last November's decisive victory over Republican challenger Bill Maloney sealed a 4-year deal.

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