Democrat Christine Gregoire was sworn in as Washington's governor on Wednesday amid objections from state Republicans who are calling for an entirely new vote after their candidate, Dino Rossi, lost by 129 votes.

Rossi, who is of Tlingit and Italian ancestry, was leading in two counts after the November 2 election. After a third count, in which heavily Democratic and urban county turned up previously missing ballots, Gregoire overcame the narrow margin.

Republican lawmakers were reportedly silent during the ceremony yesterday. The state GOP has filed a suit contesting certification of the election.

Get the Story:
Gregoire sworn in; GOP holds applause (The Seattle Times 1/13)
Gregoire sworn in amid legal challenge (The Seattle Post-Intelligencer 1/13)
In Wash. State, Democrat Takes Office Despite Suit (The Washington Post 1/13)
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Questions Linger as Governor Takes Over in Washington (The New York Times 1/13)
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