NEW BOSTON, Texas-The Bowie County District Clerk's office has a new leader.
Jill Harrington was sworn in Friday afternoon by 102nd District Judge Bobby Lockhart to serve the remainder of the term left vacant with the retirement of longtime Bowie County District Clerk Billy Fox. Harrington has worked as a deputy clerk for Bowie County since 1978. Her appointment will run until Dec. 31, 2018.
Harrington said she intends to run for the office as a Republican.
"Things have been and hopefully will continue to run smoothly in the office," Harrington said. "If I do make changes, they will be small changes and over time, with all of us working together."
Harrington said she moved to Bowie County in 1962 with her parents, who are originally from the DeKalb, Texas, area. She and her husband, Ricky Harrington, live in Texarkana, Texas.
Harrington said she hopes to continue to serve the citizens of Bowie County and the county's legal system with the same courtesy and professionalism people enjoyed under Fox's leadership.
Harrington took the oath of office before a courtroom packed with friends, family and courthouse regulars, including the county's three district judges and County Judge James Carlow. At the end of the ceremony, Harrington thanked everyone in attendance and said she looks forward to serving as Bowie County district clerk.