LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. —
Although he smiled and joked before and after the ceremony, Tom Jensen was solemn as he took the vow as Laurel/Knox Circuit Judge on Monday morning.
Laurel/Knox Senior Circuit Judge Gregory Lay officiated the swearing in of Jensen, while the circuit courtroom was filled with friends, family, and former partners.
Lay said Jensen had shown his ability as a state legislator to “cross the aisle” between Republican and Democrat issues to work for the betterment of the state while he served in Frankfort and he was sure that Jensen would be a fair and just judge.
Jensen said he was honored Lay performed the swearing in ceremony, adding that he was on the committee who nominated Lay for the judgeship when former circuit judge Lewis Hopper retired for medical reasons.
Having made many speeches in Frankfort during his legislative experience, Jensen said he had no speech for Monday’s ceremony.
“I said when I left Frankfort I was finished making speeches,” he said, as the crowd laughed. “But I thank each of you for being here and I will try to be fair. I’ve got a lot to learn.”
Jensen, a long-time legislator, resigned that position when a vacancy opened in the circuit court system due to the early retirement of former circuit judge, John Knox Mills. His campaign as circuit judge also forced his resignation from any political affiliation as well as terminating his private law practice.
Jensen said in a prior interview he liked to do different things and when the opening came for a circuit judge, he tossed his hat in the ring. He withdrew his name as a contender for re-election for state Senate and traded that campaign for an unopposed seat as Laurel/Knox Circuit Judge.
njohnson@sentinel-echo.com
Local News
Related Photos
-
Laurel/Knox Senior Circuit Judge Gregory Lay, left, officiated in the swearing in of former state legislator Tom Jensen as the new Laurel County Circuit Judge. Photo by Nita Johnson
December 19, 2012
Jensen sworn in as circuit judge
- Local News
-
-
Man saves two in fiery crash
- Tips to protect your child from potential predators
- Teen flees abductor
- Meth maker gets 20 years
-
Names of fallen officers added to memorial
-
Laurel family honors slain U.S. Marshal
- Road employee charged with DUI
- Testing glitch: ACT online tests crash, students will not be penalized on end-of-year grades
- Teen accused of making bombs
-
Car slides into pond
- More Local News Headlines
-
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree
Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics
Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel?
Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot
Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction
Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind
Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting
Raw: School Bus Crash Injures Five Children
Quick Response Saved Baby on Phila. Train Tracks
One Million Evacuated As Cyclone Hits Bangladesh
