Tiffany officially sworn-in to Congress

Wisconsin Senator Tom Tiffany is congratulated by supporters following his primary win. MWC photo by Mike Leischner.
Wisconsin Senator Tom Tiffany is congratulated by supporters following his primary win. MWC photo by Mike Leischner.

WASHINGTON, DC (WSAU) -- Former Northwoods State Senator Tom Tiffany has officially been sworn in as a member of the 116th Congress in Washington.

Alongside fellow special election winner Mike Garcia of California, Tiffany was administered the oath of office by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi just before noon Tuesday.

Longtime Wisconsin Representative Jim Sensenbrenner, who is retiring at the end of this session, then introduced Tiffany for his floor remarks.

"He has been a very strong and vocal proponent of the interests of the people in northern and western Wisconsin, and he will continue to do so on the national stage," said Sensenbrenner.

In a brief statement, Tiffany then thanked his family and the voters of the district for their endorsement of him.

"Ten years ago I was given the great privilege to represent the people of northern Wisconsin in the state legislature. I made one commitment to them—to advance the cause of freedom and liberty.

Today I make that same commitment to the good people of northern and western Wisconsin— to fight for those same enduring ideals that form the foundation of this American Republic," said Tiffany.

He also specifically thanked his mother Virgil and his late father Pat for raising him and his brothers and sisters with "love and devotion."

He then went off-script to add that he was sure Virgil Tiffany was in her kitchen "canning sauerkraut and pickles just like she's always done as a farm girl," which drew applause from Pelosi and the rest of those in attendance.

While results from both Garica and Tiffany's elections have not been certified, the duo was installed with "No question" about the results of their election.

Tiffany won the seat by 14 points over Wausau School Board President Tricia Zunker last Tuesday. Zunker has filed to run for the seat again in November.

Tiffany did officially resigned his seat in Madison on Monday and has filed non-candidacy for the seat in November.