Andy Beshear (D) was sworn in early Tuesday morning as governor of Kentucky during a private ceremony at the governor's mansion, according to The Associated Press.

“I intend to lead by example and I will strive to build an administration that does the same,” Beshear wrote in a post on Twitter.

At midnight, I was truly honored to be surrounded by my family and friends as I was sworn in as the 63rd Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. I intend to lead by example and I will strive to build an administration that does the same. ^AB pic.twitter.com/WFTQZWQfID — Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) December 10, 2019

The AP noted that the ceremony, held just after midnight, is a tradition in Kentucky in an effort to ensure continuity at the head of state government.

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Beshear defeated Republican incumbent Matt Bevin last month in a close race.

He follows his father, Steve Beshear, to serve as governor of Kentucky. Steve Beshear served two terms before Bevin took office.

They are the first father-son duo to serve as governors in Kentucky history, the AP noted.

Andy Beshear reportedly took his oath of office with a Bible that was given to his parents as a gift on their wedding day. The same family Bible was used when Steve Beshear was sworn in as attorney general, lieutenant governor and both times as governor, according to the AP. Andy Beshear also used it when he was sworn in as attorney general.

The private ceremony precedes a full slate of inaugural events Tuesday, including a worship service, parade and a public swearing-in event on the steps of the state Capitol building.