In the latest flurry of activity surrounding the induction of the new Republican majority into the State Assembly, Kathy Bernier took her in-district Oath of Office on Thursday, December 30 2010 at the Eau Claire County Courthouse. A small contingent of campaign committee members, local government officials, and friends were on hand to witness the event. Judge William Gabler administered the oath.

Bernier was the 2nd local Assemblyperson to conduct a swear-in ceremony with new Assemblyman Warren Petryk taking the oath on Monday December 27, 2010. Along with Petyrk, Bernier was also a candidate who bumped off her Democratic challenger, one-term Democrat Kristin Dexter, by a thin margin of votes that led to a recount in the middle of November. The recount had little bearing on the outcome of the vote with Kathy winning by over 90 votes. 

Kathy's in-district oath-of-office precedes the kickoff of the Wisconsin Legislative year on Monday, January 3rd on a day where new governor-elect Scott Walker, legislative members, chamber leadership, and campaign staff will officially be sworn in to State Government. Walker's inauguration ceremony starts at noon while members of the legislature will take their oaths at 2 pm. Kathy, Warren, and numerous others in the new legislative caucus will then be ready to start the duties of reforming Wisconsin government.

A special guest at the swearing-in festivities was another new member of the legislature, Senator-elect Terry Moulton, from Chippewa Falls, the former local assemblyman who ousted Pat Krietlow from the 23rd Senate District to help shape the new Senate majority in Madison.

"We got together for lunch at Wendy's in Chippewa," Moulton said about the time he initiated the conversation with Bernier. "And I want to thank her for that because I disovered that Wendy's has an excellent chilli and I've been having their chilli there ever since. And we talked about it and I'm reminded of the old Virginia Slims commercial that said, 'You've come a long way baby!' since that time. And it was a very exciting night the night of the election and I was excited because of my win but I gave Kathy a big hug when the word came across and I said, 'You've just given me the cherry on top of the ice cream!'. She has a wealth of experience I think will serve her constituants well and will also help me, I mean she has 12 years of local government experience and I think that's going to be invaluable."

Gregg Moore, Chairman of the Eau Claire County Board, and retired Chippewa County staff worker Joe Kerrs also made remarks.

"I am humbled and honored to be your representative," Kathy remarked after the oath was administered to her. "I know that I am one of 99, there is a lot of work to be done, and I will assure you that I will do the research, and I will investigate all of the decisions that I make the best of my ability. . .I am eager to get to work. I enjoy a bit of the hoopla but I am more of a worker-bee kind of person. I like my feet on the ground. I like to get my hands dirty whether its in the garden, whether its in the county, or whether it's in Madison so I am eager to get to work. I have my to-do list and it's growing. . . I wanted to let you know that officially I am on the Election Law and Campaign Finance Committee as a co-chair, which makes perfect sense; I'm on the Aging and Long-Term Care. I have some real experiences with my daughter having worked for Community Health Partnership and also with the people that I've worked with at the County and as Joe (Kerrs) indicated, I have a good communication process in the County. I am not a figurehead. I elbow with the folks who work on the ground and a lot of the Economic Support people and the Economic Support Supervisor and the DHS Director; we've all had conversations on how we can make long-term care and Medicaid changes to help balance our budget and so I'm excited about that. And Tourism and Recreation, we have 33,000 acres of County forest land. You know, when you get to be a clerk and you get to take the minutes and you get to watch everything that is going on and you listen, you gain a little knowledge and you are kind of a jack-of-all-trades at the County level because you just know a little bit about everything and I am just eager to learn a more about tourism and recreation in the entire state and not just in my County or Beaver Creek (Reserve).  I am aware that the 68th Assembly District is diverse. I only won by 93 votes after the recount and thank you if you helped with that recount. So I know there are a lot of people who have different concerns and polarizing concerns and issues that I'm going to be pulled limb-from-limb on but I trust that I will do my best to decipher the information and make educated decisions and try to bring my district together on a decision that we need to make and so I know that is going to be difficult but I will do my best to represent all of you the best I can. My door is always open. My number is in the phone book and that is my District office.  My office in Madison is 107 West and you are always welcome to come and visit me or my staff, Kay Stewart. She and I will be going strong on Monday January 3. If you have any questions for me, feel free."

Having been County Clerk for Chippewa County for 12 years before being elected to the legislature, Bernier additionally has a BA degree from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, a certificate in Public Administration from UW Green Bay, has been a volunteer for The Red Cross, 4-H, the Humane Association, and her Church. She has been a treasurer, as well as Chair of the Legislative Committee and District Chair of the Wisconsin County Clerks Association and past President and Trainer for the Chippewa County Clerks Association.