VIDALIA — With his left hand on a Bible held by his son and his right hand in the air, District Attorney-elect Brad Burget made the transition to district attorney in the Seventh Judicial District Court courtroom Monday.

“To be honest, I think this is the first time I’ve been nervous in this courtroom,” Burget joked with Division “B” Judge Leo Boothe before Boothe administered the oath of office.

After swearing to uphold the laws and constitutions of the United States and of Louisiana, Burget thanked everyone for the support they have given him.

“I am going to do the best job I can,” he said.

Burget promised to be available to the people of the district and said that he will make the best decisions he can for the district, regardless of their popularity.

“I feel like we have a young man who is both willing and capable to serve as our district attorney,” said the Rev. Brian Taylor, a speaker at the ceremony.

And Boothe agreed.

“The Seventh Judicial District Court has hit a home run to have this young man qualified and dedicated to be our district attorney,” he said.

The new district attorney was not the only one up for swearing-in, though, and Vidalia City Judge George Murray Jr. administered the oath of office to Boothe and Division “A” Judge Kathy Johnson.

The staff members of the district attorney and judicial offices were also sworn in at Monday’s ceremony.

The Rev. Gary Howington charged all of the elected officials in the room to represent the people who elected them.

The founding fathers of the United States built the government on the principle that it existed by the will of those it governed, Howington said.

“Those who lead here were trained and deemed by the electorate to be able to lead,” he said.

“Our leaders are a collective of the virtue and intelligence of our community.”

During Monday’s ceremonies, Catahoula Parish Clerk of Court Janet Payne presented a Distinguished Service Award to attorney George Griffing.

Griffing practiced law for 48 years, was a former assistant district attorney and was one of the founding trustees of what is now Southern Heritage Bank.

“I am just happy to receive this award,” Griffing said.