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Annapolis swears in new nine-member City Council; federal and state officials praise cooperation
Summary
At a public ceremony in Annapolis, incoming city council members took the oath of office amid remarks from visiting federal, state and county officials who emphasized partnership, shared challenges such as housing and climate, and urged civic engagement.
Nine incoming members of the Annapolis City Council were sworn in during a public inauguration ceremony at Navy Stadium that also featured remarks from federal, state and county leaders who pledged cooperation.
The ceremony included formal administration of oaths to the new council members. Named in the transcript were Harry Huntley, Karma O'Neil, Keanu Smith Brown, Janice Elaine Allsup Johnson, Brooks Shandlmeier, Daisha Sharon Contee, Rob Savage and Frank Thorpe; the speakers noted the council's role in representing neighborhoods and advancing local priorities.
Visitors' remarks: Senator Chris Van Hollen congratulated the newly elected officials and pledged congressional partnership; he closed with a Naval Academy jest, saying "go navy, beat army." Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth urged the incoming mayor and council to see themselves as part of 'Team Maryland' and highlighted cross-jurisdictional challenges including affordable housing, climate impacts and transportation. Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller, speaking for the governor’s office, thanked outgoing leaders and stressed accountability and collaboration with state resources.
Why it matters: The new council will work with the mayor on capital projects, permitting reforms and public-safety priorities cited during the inauguration. Several speakers emphasized intergovernmental cooperation and the importance of including residents across neighborhoods in policymaking.
Direct quotes: Senator Van Hollen: "go navy, beat army." Congresswoman Elfreth: "Team Maryland is about our shared priorities and our shared obligation to face and to confront opportunities and challenges together." State Senator Shanika Henson: "You get to shape your city in a way that no other level of government gives you the ability to do."
Next steps: The mayor and council will convene in the coming weeks to set priorities and goals; the ceremony itself recorded the swearing-in but no legislative votes or policy adoptions took place.
Attribution: Quotations and speaker attributions are taken from the inauguration ceremony transcript.
