Dan Forest took office as the state's No. 2 in a private ceremony Monday at the Capitol.
In an interview after the event, the Republican lieutenant governor said he hopes to establish a better relationship with new Gov. Pat McCrory, noting that his predecessor wasn't too close to Bev Perdue.
Forest's main role is to preside over the N.C. Senate and serve on various boards and commissions. But the lieutenant governor is often delegated duties from the state's chief executive. McCrory told Dome that he expects Forest to play a role in drafting a 25-year transportation infrastructure plan, drawing upon his experience as an architect, and consult on education policy.
Supreme Court Justice Paul Newby administered the oath. McCrory, House Speaker Thom Tillis and Sen. Tom Apodaca attended. Forest limited media access to the event even though the room was mostly empty for the ceremony.
Forest's mother, former Congresswoman Sue Myrick, sat in the front row. Asked about her son's new position, Myrick said she didn't want to talk about it.
