Making a change: State Sen. Bill Cook (center) takes his oath of office Sunday in the Beaufort County Courthouse as his wife Holly and a granddaughter, Callie Kessler, observe. Justice Paul Newby, a member of the N.C. Supreme Court, administer the oath. Newly installed Lt. Gov. Dan Forest attended the swearing-in ceremony. Cook served one term (2011-2013) in the state House. Cook, a Republican, defeated incumbent Stan White, a Democrat, for the Senate seat.