JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) – Bill Walker was sworn in Monday as the first Alaska governor to not be affiliated with a political party.

Walker took the oath in during a ceremony in downtown Juneau, using a Bible that spokeswoman Grace Jang said has been in his family since the 1800s. He was sworn in by Alaska Supreme Court Justice Daniel Winfree.

Walker succeeds Republican Sean Parnell, who he upset in last month's election.

An attorney perhaps best known for his support of an all-Alaska natural gas pipeline, Walker finished second to Parnell in the 2010 gubernatorial primary. He ran this time as...