Delaware Republicans sworn into office [video]

A new year and a new term for elected Delaware officials.

State Auditor Tom Wagner was sworn into office on Tuesday, marking the beginning of his seventh term.

Wagner is the longest serving auditor in the state’s history with 26 years under his belt. He said there’s still a lot that needs to be done on behalf of the taxpayers of the state.

“We want to focus more on performance based auditing which is really looking at the efficacies of how an organization operates,” Wagner said. “More cost savings of delivering those services in a more effective and efficient manner.”

Republican Treasurer Ken Simpler also took the official oath, marking the start of his first term in office.

Simpler said the first few months will be a transition into his new role.

“I’m familiar with the broad mission of the office.  I’m familiar with the particulars of what we do, but the folks that have been here before me, really need to educate me,” Simpler said. “So, there’s going to probably be a good, this month and next month, and maybe a little longer where just getting your arms around the day to day operations of what we do. The nuts and bolts of how we affect the people’s business here in the treasury.”

Gov. Jack Markell attended both swearing in ceremonies and congratulated the republican officials.

“There’s no question that the people of Delaware don’t care about political party,” said Markell. “They expect us to work together on their behalf.”

Markell, a former Delaware state treasurer, has been supportive to Simpler.

“We had a nice sit down,” Simpler said. “He’s been very collegial, he’s been very personable, he’s been very generous with his time. We’ve talked on the phone, we’ve met in his office in Wilmington.

The governor also asked Simpler to serve on a newly established subcommittee which will study the state’s revenue generators.

“I think it’s a great thing for us to be studying,” Simpler said. “We went through a very rough period economically and I think some people question whether the business cycle is something we can rely on.”

Simpler won the treasurer’s race in November over democrat Sean Barney.

Former treasurer Chip Flowers dropped out of his reelection bid last September.