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Wife Of Aurora Rep. Buckner Taking His Seat After His Death

DENVER (AP) - The wife of former Aurora Rep. John Buckner has taken the oath of office to serve the rest of his term after his death in May.

Janet Buckner, 68, took the oath in the Colorado House chambers Wednesday afternoon amid cheers from her family and guests. She will be taking her husband's seat for the 2016 legislative session that begins in January.

Buckner died May 28 after battling a respiratory illness. He was 67.

Janet Buckner will have to run for election in November 2016 if she wants to keep the seat for a two-year term.

She worked in medical sales for more than three decades before retiring in 2007. She also worked previously as a speech and language therapist.

(© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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