Raleigh, N.C. — Dan Forest, the Republican elected lieutenant governor last month, says he will take the oath of office on Jan. 7, two days before he is scheduled to preside over the Senate for the first time.

According to a news release from Forest's campaign manager, he "will take the oath of office in a private ceremony in the Old Senate Chambers of the North Carolina Capitol Building at noon on January 7, 2013. He will be joined by his immediate family in the ceremony. The oath will be administered by NC Supreme Court Justice Paul Newby. Forest will also participate in the public ceremonial swearing-in on the Capitol Square, Saturday, January 12, 2013 at 11:00 am with Governor-elect Pat McCrory and the other members of the Council of State."

As lieutenant governor, Forest is the state Senate's presiding officer, although the flow of legislation and policy priorities are set by the Senate President Pro Tempore and his top lieutenants. 

Governor-elect Pat McCrory is scheduled to take the oath of office on Jan. 5.