Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country | Founded 05-05-05

January 18, 2007 issue

Tarleton Sworn In as State Representative Saturday

Story by Kathleen McFadden

On Saturday, January 13, Cullie Tarleton took the oath of office for his new job as State House member for District 93 representing Watauga and Ashe counties. Ashe County Register of Deeds Shirley Wallace administered the oath in the commissioners’ boardroom at the Watauga County Administration Building in front of a standing-room-only crowd.

Tarleton’s swearing in was the second such local event to take place in as many weeks. State Senator Steve Goss took his oath of office on Saturday, January 6, in Ashe County.

Tarleton, a Democrat, won the House seat in November from 16-year incumbent Gene Wilson. The race was Tarleton’s second run at Wilson’s seat; he lost the election in 2004.

The retired broadcasting executive mentioned that defeat in his comments to the group before the swearing-in ceremony: “Today is the culmination of a journey that started in 2004 with a loss.”

Visibly moved, Tarleton said, “I am going to try to keep my composure,” and introduced the members of his family who attended the ceremony, thanked the crowd for attending—“you humble me by your presence and support”—and introduced the many elected officials from Watauga and Ashe county in the audience, along with the Democrat Party chairs in the two counties, Diane Tilson in Watauga and Melba Jones in Ashe. “None of this would have occurred,” Tarleton said, “without the work of these two officials.”

Tarlton explained that he would take his oath of office with his hand on his well-worn copy of the Masonic King James Bible. “Forty-six years ago when I took the Masonic oath,” he said, “I promised to serve God and my fellowman,” adding that he would continue that promise in Raleigh.

After the ceremony and the standing ovation, Tarleton said, “It’s now time to deliver and to serve, regardless of party affiliation. How can I help? What do you need me to do? My office is open for business.”

Tarleton’s granddaughters passed out business cards with Tarleton’s Raleigh contact information to all attendees.

At the suggestion of Rev. A.B. Weaver, Tarleton told the group that his mother, who will be 93 years old in May, wanted to be at the ceremony but broke her leg two weeks ago and was not able to attend. She will soon move to a nursing facility where she will join her older sister who is 96 or 97 years old Tarleton said. “I hope I got some of those genes,” he said.

Before the group adjourned to a neighboring room for the reception, Shirley Wallace, also visibly moved, asked to say a few words. “I am honored that you asked me to swear you in,” she said to Tarleton. “I know you will make an outstanding representative.”