Numerous Democrats and Republican gathered in Poughkeepsie on Saturday to witness the swearing-in ceremony of Dutchess County's new comptroller, Robin Cole Lois.

A race in which 65,700 ballots were cast, Lois defeated incumbent Jim Coughlan by 642 votes. Several State and local Republican elected officials joined with their Democratic colleagues and campaign supporters as New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli administered the oath of office to the first-time candidate.

Lois campaigned on the need to let the public know what the comptroller is doing.

"I didn't think there was enough reporting out to the taxpayers," Lois said after swearing on the Cole family bible that dates back to 1860.

DiNapoli said that Lois is poised to perform her duties admirably calling the role of comptroller "an important one."

"You couldn't have asked for anybody better prepared," DiNapoli said.

The first official day at the 22 Market Street office for Lois will be Tuesday, Jan. 2.

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