Politics - unionleader.com

Gov. Hassan inauguration, Jan. 3, 2013Gov. Maggie Hassan set a somber but optimistic tone in delivering her inaugural speech after she was sworn in as the state's 81st governor Thursday.

With her husband, Thomas Hassan, at her side and state Speaker of the House Terie Norelli applauding, Maggie Hassan waves to the gallery after her inauguration as governor of New Hampshire Thursday afternoon. (DAVID LANE/UNION LEADER)

Gov. John Lynch waves as he gets applause at the State House in Concord on Wednesday. (DAVID LANE/UNION LEADER)

Maggie Hassan, NH's new governor, and her husband Tom great guests including Pat Wilczynski, from Concord, on Inauguration Day at the State House in Concord on Thursday. Thomas Roy/Union Leader (Thomas Roy/Union Leader)

Maggie Hassan, NH's new governor, and her husband Tom great guests including Pat Wilczynski from Concord on Thursday. (Thomas Roy/Union Leader)

Gov. Maggie Hassan speaks after being sworn in as governor at the State House in Concord on Wednesday. (DAVID LANE/UNION LEADER)

Annie Culp, 4, from Concord, holds two chocolate bears during an open house at the State House in Concord on Thursday. (Thomas Roy/Union Leader)

Inauguration Day for Maggie Hassan as the new governor during an Open House at the State House in Concord on Thursday. (Thomas Roy/Union Leader)

Gov. Maggie Hassan speaks after being sworn in as governor at the State House in Concord Thursday. (DAVID LANE/UNION LEADER)

Gov. Maggie Hassan is sworn in by Chief Justice Linda Dalianis at the State House in Concord on Wednesday. Also pictured is Hassan's Husband, Tom, and daughter, Meg. (DAVID LANE/UNION LEADER)

Will Chapin, 7, from Hopkinton, reacts to Lindsay Bezich, owner of Lindsay and her Puppet Pals, from Strafford, who was going to perform later during an Open House on Inauguration Day for Maggie Hassan as the new Governor, at the State House in Concord on Thursday. (Thomas Roy/Union Leader)

Eileen Liponis, from Brentwood, signs a guest book on Inauguration Day for Maggie Hassan as the new governor during an Open House at the State House in Concord on Thursday. (Thomas Roy/Union Leader)

Maggie Hassan, NH's new governor, and her husband Tom great guests during Inauguration Day for Maggie Hassan as the new governor during an Open House at the State House in Concord on Thursday. (Thomas Roy/Union Leader)

Maggie Hassan, NH's new governor, and her husband Tom great guests including Jay Phinizy, left, state executive director of U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency, and Carla Skinder, from Meriden, and former member of the NH House, on Inauguration day for Maggie Hassan as the new Governor, during an open house of the State House in Concord on Thursday. (Thomas Roy/Union Leader)

Maggie Hassan, NH's new governor, and her husband Tom great guests including Pat Wilczynski, from Concord, on Inauguration Day for Maggie Hassan as the new Governor, during an open house at the State House in Concord on Thursday. (Thomas Roy/Union Leader)

Inauguration Day for Maggie Hassan as the new governor during an Open House at the State House in Concord on Thursday. Thomas Roy/Union Leader (Thomas Roy/Union Leader)