Michelle Wu sworn in as Boston’s first woman elected mayor

BOSTON — Mayor Michelle Wu has taken office and she is diving right in. The mayor took her oath of office, took some questions from reporters, and then beelined it into her new office to start meeting with her new staffers.

The mayor also pitched some ideas to some of the state and federal leaders that came out to support her. Even before she was sworn in, Mayor Wu was already working state and congressional leaders who attended her inauguration.

“There is a lot of work to do and a lot of resources available right now. The federal government is delivering resources at a scale we can put to work quickly,” Wu said.

Michelle Wu takes oath of office as 56th mayor of Boston

Mayor Wu said the crisis that has unfolded on the streets of Mass and Melnea Cass is urgent. She has already named three leaders to head up the city’s response.

“It is clear across the board the number one need is stable, supportive, low-threshold housing, and that is what we must continue to explore,” Wu said.

PREVIOUS: Boston mayoral race: Who is Michelle Wu, next mayor of Boston?

Incoming winter weather and establishing leadership at the Boston Police Department are also on the new mayor’s plate. Wu said a nationwide search will be done for a permanent police commissioner but it will begin with a group established to solicit community input.

“From now until the end of the year, we will be continuing to slowly transition while we are also hitting the ground running. I’m counting the first 100 days starting in January after the full inauguration,” Wu said.

U.S. senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey were at the inauguration with U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley.

“She is someone who has gotten things done as a city councilor,” Sen. Warren said.

“This incredible leader is going to turn the City of Boston into the international leader that the rest of the world will point to,” Markey said.

“She has a decisive mandate from the people again to ensure we have an equitable recovery but that we are charting a more just path forward,” Pressley said.

The 36-year-old Wu takes over for former acting Mayor Kim Janey. Janey is also a Democrat and was Boston’s first woman and first Black resident to serve in the top post, but she was not elected to it. Wu now faces the daunting task of trying to make good on a slew of ambitious policy proposals.

MORE: Downtown Boston businesses hope new mayor brings revival

During her campaign, she pushed reinstituting rent control and free public transportation—both of which need approval from the governor, but neither of which he supports.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

©2021 Cox Media Group