Former state lawmaker Kirk Watson was inaugurated as Austin mayor on Friday, more than 20 years after he last held the office.
Watson, who succeeded the term-limited Steve Adler, tweeted that having been administered the oath for the state capital’s highest office a second time was “an incredible honor.”
“I am committed to working together with a new sense of urgency in pursuit of a shared positive but practical vision to make the next part of our story even more amazing,” he said following the ceremony.
Austin ABC affiliate KVUE reported that Watson and three new councilmembers were sworn in at a special meeting of the Austin City Council.
Taking their seats at the horseshoe for the first time are José Velásquez of District 3; Ryan Alter of District 5; and Zohaib "Zo" Qadri of District 6.
District 1 Councilwoman Natasha Harper-Madison and District 8 Councilwoman Paige Ellis took their oaths before the start of their respective new terms, the station reported.
A member of the Texas Senate from 2007 to 2020, Watson defeated State Rep. Celia Israel (D-Austin) in last month’s runoff election.
Austin Journal reported that City of Austin voters in Williamson County helped deliver the close contest to the Baylor-educated Watson.
According to the publication, after he first left politics, Watson transitioned to the world of academia, becoming the first dean of the University of Houston’s (UH) Hobby School of Public Affairs.
He inherits a city that has witnessed impressive growth in various areas in recent years and is now home to nearly one million people compared to approximately 700,000 during his first stint.
KVUE reported that the mayor of Austin serves two years a term, and is allowed by law to serve a maximum of two terms.