Transcript: Mayor Christine Erickson charts vision for progress, unity in Sioux Falls
City’s new leader sworn in along with Council chairman, three new council members
Mayor Christine Erickson took the reins of Sioux Falls city government Friday afternoon.
Being sworn in at a installation ceremony at Carnegie Town Hall in downtown Sioux Falls, the business owner and mother of three accepted the gavel from now-former Mayor Paul TenHaken, capping one of the most dramatic municipal elections in the city's history.
Erickson becomes the first woman elected to lead South Dakota's largest city after defeating state Sen. Jamie Smith by four votes following a five-candidate race, a runoff election and a recount.
Taking the oath of office before family, supporters and city leaders, Erickson pledged to unite the community after the historically close contest, saying campaigns end with winners and losers, "but today, there are no sides, only neighbors" working together for "One Sioux Falls."
Read the transcript of Erickson’s speech below:
