MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (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 says 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 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.
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 one-year term.
But last November's decisive victory over Republican challenger Bill Maloney sealed a four-year deal.
