When Andrea Cabral was fighting to keep her job as Suffolk County sheriff last year, she benefited from the perception that she was a public servant first and a politician second. In fact, she actively fostered this idea. Defending her decision to become a Republican in 2002, when Governor Jane Swift appointed her to replace Richard Rouse, Cabral cast herself as something of a political naif: "I entered into this as a private citizen who was a public servant her whole career," she told the Phoenix. "That’s very different than a career politician who has consistently had to rely on party affiliation to go from point A to point B." The implication was clear: Cabral wasn’t self-interested — she was pure.

What a difference eight months make. This Saturday, Cabral will hold a "celebration of [her] swearing-in" at the swank new Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. (She originally booked the UMass Boston Campus Center, but changed her mind and selected ritzier digs.) Cabral was officially sworn in during a small ceremony on January 5; according to Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Steve Tompkins, guests attending Saturday’s function will be treated to a second, ceremonial "swearing-in-type thing," with state Senate president Robert Travaglini doing the honors. Travaglini won’t be the only luminary present: Senators Ted Kennedy and John Kerry are scheduled to appear, as are Massachusetts House Speaker Sal DiMasi and Boston mayor Tom Menino — who may be looking to nab a little of that Cabral magic for this year’s mayoral re-election bid. Cocktails are at 7 p.m., with the dinner, program, and dancing running from 8 to midnight. Suggested donations range from $125 to $500, and "creative black tie" is optional.

Looks like the transformation from public servant to politician is complete.