Judge Mark Frost (left) administered the oath of office for new Judge Katelyn Dickey. Her husband, Ben Dickey, held the Bible, which always has been in Frost’s courtroom after his sister gave it to him when he took office 31 years ago. (Photo by Deanne Johnson)

LISBON — In a brief oath of office ceremony in county Municipal Court on Monday, newly elected Judge Katelyn Dickey completed a very busy 2019.

Not only did she run against the Republican Party choice, Vito Abruzzino, in the primary, but then turned around to defeat Democrat K. Bret Apple in the general election. Near the conclusion of the primary race, she gave birth to her third child, Jude.

Dickey started her remarks after taking the oath of office from retiring Judge Mark Frost by thanking all those people, including family and friends, who went out campaigning, walking the parade routes and placing and retrieving her campaign signs throughout the county twice.

Additionally, she thanked former Judge C. Ashley Pike, who she had worked under at Common Pleas Court, and Prosecutor Robert Herron, who she worked for after Pike retired. She also thanked Republican Chairman Dave Johnson, noting that although their relationship “started off a little rocky” she appreciates everything that he has done and looks forward to working with him in the future.

Dickey also thanked Frost and Seventh District Court of Appeals Judge Carol Robb, who once served as a Municipal Court judge in the same courthouse. Robb served as the emcee for the ceremony, which included Dickey’s children Stella and Beau, her niece, nephew and a cousin leading those lucky enough to get a spot in the courtroom in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. The ceremony also included the national anthem sung by Mikayla Shulas and Tessa Young, and an invocation and benediction by retired Rev. Mark Wilds.

“I’m thankful for your friendship and your guidance,” Dickey said of Frost and Robb, adding she wishes Frost the best in his new chapter.

There was a standing room only crowd, out the doorway of the courtroom and in the waiting area, who all came to celebrate a new chapter in Dickey’s life.

djohnson@mojonews.com