Philadelphia got four new city councilmembers Monday as they were officially sworn in following this month's special elections.
People packed council chambers for the noon swearing-in ceremony.
The new members take the seats of former councilmembers who left office to run for Philadelphia mayor next year, in accordance with Philadelphia’s Home Rule Charter.
The new members include two who will fill at-large seats and two who will fill district seats: Jim Harrity and Sharon Vaughn took Derek Green and Allan Domb’s former at-large seats.
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And, two who filled district seats: Quetcy Lozada filled the former 7th District seat of Maria Quiñones Sanchez and Anthony Phillips took the former 9th District seat of Cherelle Parker.
"I would now ask the council members to please take your seats," Democratic Council President Darrell Clarke said, getting applause from the crowd.
Harrity has been involved behind the scenes in city and state government for some time.
He called taking his council seat "a little surreal."
"I had been content to be a guy behind a guy for a long time," Harrity said. "I never actually thought I would be the guy sitting in this seat."
Vaughn has spent decades working behind the scenes, including serving as chief of staff for former councilmember Green. She said without all the resignations she likely would have never taken office.
"It was never my desire, I always enjoyed being behind the scenes and making the politicians look great," she told NBC10's Lauren Mayk.
Speaking with NBC10 sister station Telemundo62 after the election, Lozada said she will focus on building “alliances” between the community and police, especially in the Kensington neighborhood she will represent, which has been wracked for years by high crime and opioid addiction.
Lozada said Monday that she is nervous taking the place of Quiñones Sanchez.
"I feel that the responsibility of the 7th Council District and its residents is an important one to me and many," Lozada said.
Phillips, for his part, has touted his experience in youth development. He promises to provide better resources for the city’s schools and wants to increase public safety by focusing on community policing.
From the podium Monday Phillips credited young people for inspiring him to run.
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