Jenny Durkan officially sworn in as Seattle’s new mayor

Jenny Durkan is officially the mayor of Seattle, taking the oath of office on Tuesday afternoon.

Ron: Let’s give Seattle’s new Mayor Durkan a fighting chance

Durkan says she’ll recommit the city to addressing racial equality and equity. She said she plans to sign an executive order on rent vouchers for people in critical need.

“I believe we can come together to build a more progressive, inclusive, and united Seattle that is for the next generation as much as we have for our generation,” Durkan said in her inauguration speech.

On Wednesday, the new mayor will announce the creation of the Seattle Promise College Tuition Program. The City says the program will reduce and remove financial barriers that keep some Seattle public high school graduates from earning a degree.

Durkan will be the city’s fourth mayor in as many months. She was elected on Nov. 7 to replace former Mayor Ed Murray, who resigned after five men accused him of sexual abuse.

Durkan acknowledged she has many challenges to face during her term.

“There are no easy solutions to any of these problems,” she said. “Many of them were years in the making. If there were easy solutions, Seattle probably would not have elected a woman mayor again.”

President Trump’s administration won’t get in the way of Seattle’s progress, Durkan said.

“Let me say this,” Durkan said. “The people of Seattle and this mayor of Seattle will not be bullied and we will not be told what to do.”

Now. Let’s get to work!

— Mayor Jenny Durkan (@MayorJenny) November 28, 2017

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