From learning faces to learning the department, Troxler has a lot to do and a big responsibility. The farmer already has a makeshift office in a conference room.
"For three months, we had to be focused on the election," Troxler said.
The State Board of Elections certified Troxler as the new commissioner Friday following a three-month legal battle with Democratic incumbent Britt Cobb over more than 4,400 votes that disappeared in Carteret County. Now, the focus turns to the department. Without a typical transition period, Troxler said he will not make changes right away.
"It's going to take a little more time to put my stamp on the department that it would have there been a transition," he said.
Troxler said he realizes employees are going through a lot.
"There is a lot of unrest and uncertainly in the department just because of the last four years, so I've got to overcome that," he said.
Troxler said despite this year's State Fair contact being signed, he is not ruling out changing the way the event is awarded in the future.
"If I have something that will work better, I will implement it," he said.
Troxler is expected to make quite an entrance into his post. After his swearing-in, he will ride a tractor down the street and arrive at the state Ag Department.
Troxler will be sworn in at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Holshouser Building at the State Fairgrounds. The public is invited.
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