Murdock, Brandon sworn in after unopposed elections

published on Wednesday, December 31, 2008 8:01 PM MST

By JESSICA MAYRER Chronicle Staff Writer

The mood was light as Gallatin County Commission Chairman Bill Murdock and Clerk of District Court Jennifer Brandon were sworn in Wednesday morning to serve additional terms after both ran unopposed for reelection in November.

Murdock brought his great-great-great-grandfather’s frayed bible to the ceremony. As Judge John Brown swore him in, Murdock, who has overseen breakneck growth and held the county’s checkbook for the past 12 years, placed his left hand on the bible’s faded pages.

Lifting his right hand high, the commissioner pledged to uphold the law for his upcoming six-year term, as his wife, Maggie, and a roomful of county officials looked on.

Because the commissioner wakes up every morning and analyzes “everything,” discussing his analysis as his family gets ready to go their respective ways, Maggie said it’s probably best he was reelected.

“If I had to listen to that 24 hours a day…,” she joked.

Murdock’s coworkers also provide their own brand of moral support, cracking a few jokes at the chairman’s expense.

“We’re pretty scared,” quipped Commissioner Steve White about Murdock’s upcoming term.

But Murdock, in a moment of seriousness after the ceremony, thanked his wife and the men he hashes out the county’s issues with.

“I wouldn’t have tried to do this again if it weren’t for commissioners White and Skinner,” Murdock said.

Jennifer Brandon, who has served the county since 1990 and has acted as Clerk of District Court since 2003, was also surrounded by well wishers. Her husband, parents and two children attended the ceremony.

Brandon’s parents were all smiles.

“We’re proud of her again,” said her dad, Roger Johnson.

The clerk’s office manages oodles of administrative work, including marriage licenses, divorces, civil lawsuits and probate matters.

“It’s never boring,” Brandon said.

Many from her 14-person staff were on hand, too.

“I love my boss,” said Jessica Gower from the clerk’s office. “I have never worked with somebody who is so calm and level headed and knows all of the answers.”

Even though she’s been sworn in several times before, Brandon said she was a little nervous the night before the ceremony.

“I’m just thankful that I have four more years,” she said. “I feel that I’m very lucky.”

Jessica Mayrer can be reached at jmayrer@dailychronicle.com or 582-2635.

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