Bernalillo County held a public swearing-in ceremony at the county administration building where five elected officials, several appointed deputies and multiple judges took oaths of office.

County Manager Cindy Chavez opened the event by calling it “a day of celebration,” saying the ceremony “represents the trust, the responsibility, and the opportunity” of local officeholders. Emily Martin, the county’s human resources business partner lead, sang the national anthem and Senior Chaplain Sherry Granger Archuleta delivered an invocation before the oath administrations began.

Among those sworn in were Frank Baca as county commissioner for District 2, Adrienne Barboa for District 3, Walt Benson for District 4, Michelle Cobb Cavanaugh as county clerk and Tim Eichenberg as county treasurer. Each took the oath administered by local judges. Baca, sworn in for his first term, said he was “fulfilling the hopes and dreams of my parents” and invoked a guiding phrase: “to whom much is given, much is expected.” Barboa, sworn in for a second term, said she is “committed to these words” and pledged to continue work on community health and frontline worker engagement. Benson, also beginning a second term, said he will focus his votes on “creating jobs and decreasing crime.” Cavanaugh thanked voters and said she will “live every day, trying to earn” their trust. Eichenberg said he will “work hard to protect your money.”

The ceremony also included appointments and oaths for county deputies: Kelly Baca and Denine Morales Phan were sworn as deputy clerks; Linda Stover and Ryan Travalstead were sworn as deputy treasurers. Judges for the district and metropolitan courts took oaths as well, including District Court judges and multiple Metropolitan Court judges who were introduced and sworn by judges from the Second Judicial District and Bernalillo County courts.

Officials and organizers recognized retiring and interim staff and thanked the volunteers and judges who participated. County Manager Chavez closed by thanking the planning committee and inviting attendees to a reception in the lobby.

The event was ceremonial and procedural: no formal policy actions, votes or motions were taken on matters of county governance during the ceremony. The sworn officials will assume the duties of their offices as required by state law.