Iowa’s new lieutenant governor says the state faces a boundless future. Lieutenant Governor Patty Judge of Albia took the oath of office this morning in Des Moines. "There has never been a time in the history of our state that has been so exciting and when the future has shined so brightly," Judge said.
Judge began her speech with a review of her own biography. "I’m an Iowan. I was born here. I went to school here. I married a guy from my home town. I raised three sons here…and they are now all raising their own families right here in Iowa. I’ve worked on an Iowa farm. I’ve been a nurse. I’ve owned a small town business," Judge said. "I’ve served as an elected representative for my friends and neighbors in the southern Iowa community that I call my home."
Judge served as Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture for the past eight years. Judge sounded the same "One Iowa" theme that Governor Culver used in his Inaugural Address. "As Iowans we share common ideals no matter where we live," Judge said. "We believe in taking care of our families and educating our children. We believe hard work leads to success and aren’t afraid to roll-up our sleeves."
According to Judge, the world isn’t standing still and it’s time for those who were pioneers in the renewable fuels industry to come up with "what’s next." "As your lieutenant governor I intend and look forward to continue advocating for clean, environmentally-friendly fuel and new, innovative materials from the products we produce best in this state — those that grow from our rich soil," Judge said. Judge told the crowd she is aware the challenges she faces as lieutenant governor are the highest she’s ever faced, and she closed by reading a verse from the Bible.