Betsy Hodges was sworn in as the 47th mayor of Minneapolis Thursday, pledging her oath of service in front of a crowd of city leaders, campaign staff and family members.
Coined the “Kids’ Inaugural” event, Thursday’s swearing-in ceremony was the first event in a 10-day tour highlighting Hodges’ priorities as Mayor of Minneapolis.
Directing much of her inaugural speech to a handful of children at the event, DFLer Hodges — a former Minneapolis City Council member — said she promised to “make Minneapolis a great city – especially for you as you grow up.”
Turning her attention to the adults, Hodges added that her vision for a unified Minneapolis required both children and adults to make that same promise toward, “One Minneapolis.”
Hodges then thanked R.T. Rybak, the outgoing Minneapolis Mayor who held the office the past 12 years, for “charting the course that brought us so well to this moment.”
“We owe you a debt that we cannot repay,” Hodges said.
Other attendees at Hodges’ inauguration ceremony included U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison, St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, several Minneapolis City Council and School Board members, and her immediate family.
Hodges’ formal inaugural ceremony is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 6, in the Minneapolis City Hall Rotunda. Distributed by OneLoad.com
