State Sen. Catherine Pugh, who also runs a public relations firm, was sworn in as Baltimore's next mayor shortly before noon.
"Thank you for the opportunity to be your servant," Pugh said as she addressed the crowd.
.@Mayor_Pugh swearing in as the 50th mayor of #Baltimore #MayorPugh @ABC2NEWS pic.twitter.com/BlVcwSqlmR
— Skyler A. Henry (@SkylerHenry) December 6, 2016
Pugh succeeds Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, who abandoned her re-election bid amid civil unrest following the death of Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old black man whose neck was broken in the back of a police transport van.
Pugh served on the City Council for five years before joining the General Assembly as a delegate, then later as a senator.
"I'm ready to work with you. I look forward to our partnership," Pugh said to Gov. Larry Hogan, who also spoke at the inauguration.
Pugh won praise from several state elected officials who spoke at the ceremony, including Maryland House Speaker Mike Busch. Pugh "will make a great city greater," Busch said.
Outgoing U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski, who will leave office early next year, said she has full confidence in Pugh.
"She is a leader. She is effective," she said. "I know she will be a fantastic mayor."
In the primary, Pugh defeated a large field, including former Mayor Sheila Dixon, who resigned after a fraud conviction in 2010.
#MayorPugh gives inaugural address.Tells @LarryHogan he has a partner in her & she wrote letter for them to deliver to President-elect Trump pic.twitter.com/CwKKP8psFv
— Mallory Sofastaii (@MalloryABC2) December 6, 2016
Glad to have the choir from my alma mater, @MorganStateU open the Inaugural Ceremony with the National Anthem ?? pic.twitter.com/w0NlEtAsYM
— Catherine Pugh (@Mayor_Pugh) December 6, 2016
