Author: Jeff Amy, Associated Press

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Phil Bryant has been sworn in as Mississippi’s 64th governor.

The 57-year-old Republican took the oath Tuesday in a ceremony forced inside the state Capitol by rain.

The Brandon resident, accompanied by wife Deborah and family, was inaugurated in the House chamber where he first entered state government in 1991 as a representative. Bryant follows the two terms of 64-year-old Republican Haley Barbour.

Bryant was appointed state auditor in 1996 by then-Gov. Kirk Fordice and twice won election as auditor. In 2007, he was elected lieutenant governor. Bryant easily won election as governor in November, defeating Democrat Johnny DuPree, the mayor of Hattiesburg.

The inaugural ball is scheduled for Tuesday night at the Jackson Convention Center. The inaugural parade has been postponed until Jan. 21 because of rainy weather.