Politics & Government
Swearing In Ceremony Highlights History-Making Fairfax City Council
Candidates elected in November were sworn in Tuesday as Fairfax City's mayor and new council members during a ceremony at City Hall.
FAIRFAX CITY, VA — Seven Fairfax City residents were sworn in Tuesday night at City Hall to serve as the new mayor and city council for the next two years.
On Nov. 5, 2024, Mayor Catherine S. Read and Council Member Billy Bates were re-elected and voters chose six newcomers to fill the remaining five city council seats: Anthony Amos, Stacy R. Hall, Stacey D. Hardy-Chandler, Rachel M. McQuillen and Thomas D. "Tom" Peterson.
“Congratulations to our mayor and our six council members, who will lead us over the next two years,” said Janice Miller, a former city council and school board member, who served as the ceremony’s emcee. “Our community stands behind you and wishes you well. Working together as unified electives, we will bring success to our community.”
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Miller told the audience that the mayor and council represented three different age groups, with two in their 20s, two in their 40s and three in their 60s. They also represented several different precincts in the city.
In addition, Amos was the second Black man and Hardy-Chandler was the first Black woman elected to the council in city history. This also meant that the new council was the first to have two members who were Black.
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Related: Fairfax City School Board Members Sworn In
“For the first time in our history, the city elected the first female majority council, and I will note that it only took 63 years.” Miller said, which prompted members of the audience to laugh and applaud.
Following the introductions, Richard Herrington, secretary of the City of Fairfax Electoral Board, presented the mayor and each of the council members with a framed certificate of election.
Then, one by one, City Clerk Melissa Shinaberry swore in each of the council members and mayor.
Following the ceremony, family members and city residents joined the newly minted elected officials in the foyer of city hall for refreshments. Then, the new mayor and city council returned to their chambers for the first official meeting of 2025.
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