For Steve Goss—District 45’s new state senator representing Watauga, Ashe, Alexander and Wilkes counties—taking his oath of office locally instead of in Raleigh at the beginning of the legislative session later this month was important. Goss wanted to share the occasion with family, friends and supporters, and they turned out in force last Saturday morning to watch the retired minister, former school teacher and coach swear to uphold the constitutions of the United States and the State of North Carolina and to faithfully perform the duties of state senator. Superior Court Judge Phil Ginn administered the oath of office at the Ashe County Courthouse.

While most elected office holders place their left hands on a closed bible as they repeat the oath, Goss placed his left hand on an open bible turned to a specific page. The page he selected was Romans 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.”

“That’s the verse that led me into the ministry years ago,” Goss said after the ceremony, and he added that the verse would set the tone for his term in office as he worked with Democrats and Republicans alike for the good of the district.

“After Election Day,” Goss told the crowd in brief remarks after the ceremony, “there are no Republicans and no Democrats. It’s about serving the people. I am going to Raleigh with no personal agenda but to serve you, the citizens of the 45th District. We have good things ahead.”

Goss said that the newly elected officials from the western counties “will all work together and move forward with the voice of the people as the wind at our back.”

Goss, a Democrat and political newcomer, won the race against Republican David Blust, former Watauga County commissioner. Blust won a spot on the General Election ballot by challenging and beating incumbent Republican Senator John Garwood of Wilkes County in the May primary.

Goss’s daughter Kelly Sechrist began the ceremony by telling the attendees how much their presence meant to the family. In describing her father, Sechrist said, “He values family, education, his country and his God,” and she added that she and her brother had agreed that the number one thing they could say about their father is that he “always beats the odds.” Goss was the first member of his family to go to a four-year university and the first missionary in Japan to reach level 5 language competency.

“We have got an advocate for the 45th District now that we have not had for a long, long time,” Sechrist said.