Sarah Stevens of Mount Airy campaigned hard to win election in November, but soon she’ll soon be rolling up her sleeves for more demanding work as a new member of the state’s General Assembly.

Before taking up her post in the Legislature in late January, however, Stevens must be sworn in to office, and the local attorney has scheduled that bit of business for next Sunday.

Stevens will be sworn in as the next representative for the 90th District of the N.C. House in a ceremony scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church. The church, which Stevens attends, is located at 314 S. Franklin Road near Franklin Elementary School.

“I welcome anybody to come,” said Stevens, 48, a Republican who defeated Democratic incumbent Rep. Jim Harrell III on Nov. 4 for the state legislative seat that covers Surry and Alleghany counties. Harrell was vying for his third two-year term.

Angela Puckett, a local District Court judge, will administer the oath of office to Stevens at next Sunday’s event, which Stevens said will include a small program with a couple of speakers.

Special recognition is planned for Buck Golding and Jack Conway, two area Republicans whom Stevens said “paved the way” for her successful candidacy by vying for the House seat in previous elections.

Along with being sworn in to the office next weekend, Stevens will devote other time this month to orientation-type sessions in Raleigh designed to help incoming General Assembly members prepare for their responsibilities.

The major issue facing legislators in their upcoming session that begins in late January is expected to be a major budget shortfall brought on by the declining economy.

Stevens, who has operated a family law practice in Mount Airy for 22 years, said during the campaign that along with trying to eliminate budget waste she will work for affordable medical insurance for North Carolina residents, among other goals.

Contact Tom Joyce at tjoyce@mtairynews.com, or at 719-1924.