Governor Henry Welcomes Governor-Elect Fallin During Joint News Conference

Jon Jordan, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A day after clinching the state's top job, Governor-Elect Mary Fallin hit the ground running, meeting with Governor Brad Henry. They met for an hour to help make the transition of power a smooth one.

After Tuesday night's victory celebration, Fallin was all business Wednesday. She will be the first female governor of Oklahoma, and she acknowledged there are difficult times ahead.

"These certainly are challenging times for Oklahoma," Fallin said. "We had a budget shortfall last year and we anticipate one this year. We want to do all that we can moving forward from this day, with a transition that will be smooth."

Gov. Henry encouraged Oklahomans to rally behind the new governor and support her. He said it's time to put aside partisan labels and work together.

Fallin said her first order of business is to choose a staff, but she would not reveal who she has in mind.

"Those who are doing their job, and well, I'm going to keep those people," Fallin said. "And we will be looking for some new faces to bring into this administration, also."