Brandon Scott Named New Baltimore City Council President
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Brandon Scott was named the new Baltimore City County president Monday night.
Scott was unanimously voted in by Baltimore City Council members, and minutes after he was sworn in, the former chair of the Public Safety Committee said the bloodshed has to stop.
"We have to change, this isn't about me, this is about Baltimore. We have a lot of work to do collectively and it's our job to lead this council to focus on what we have to do," Scott said.
The transition of power comes days after Jack Young took over as Baltimore city's mayor following Catherine Pugh's resignation.
The former council president Jack Young is now elevated to the role of mayor. He'll now have to work with the body he's led since 2010.
"We are here to represent the citizens of Baltimore and that's what we're gonna do," Mayor Jack Young said.
Pugh resigned after taking a month of leave due to her health. She was diagnosed with pneumonia.
It also came after she was under fire for $800,000 worth of book deals she made off her "Healthy Holly" children book series.
After a temporary stay as council president, Sharon Middleton will return to her previous role of being vice president.
"I am happy to get back to my district and yes I am happy to continue to serve as vice president of the council and work beside councilman now President Brandon Scott," Councilman Middleton said.
As new council president, Scott will help steer the city's financial direction in his role of chair of the Board of Estimates, he said he's ready.
WJZ's Ava-Joye Burnett: "Do you have faith in yourself that you are able to take on this role? Are you fully equipped?"
"Yes, I am fully equipped. Willing, able and ready to do this job and I look forward to working with my colleagues in government to make sure that happens," Scott said.
Scott issued a statement:
"Good Evening. Colleagues, I'm deeply honored and humbled by the confidence you have placed in me to lead this body. Before I go any further, I would like for my colleagues and all of Baltimore to join me in thanking Council Vice President Middleton for exemplifying grace and diligence as she carried out the duties of Council President this last month. I have appreciated having a great relationship with you since my days as a neighborhood liaison and look forward continuing to do so in your role as Council Vice President.
Together, we have a lot of work to do to get Baltimore moving in the right direction by working to break the choke-hold that the disease of gun violence has on our neighborhoods, improving our schools, and bringing accountability and leadership back to City Hall.
"To the people of Baltimore, I never expected to be here but you have helped prepare this kid from Park Heights to be ready for the responsibility of this position. I do not take the honor of holding this important office lightly and you can rest assured that I will carry out my duties with the utmost integrity and respect for all.
"We've had some dark days, however, the passion and hope of all of us working together, will continue to lift us into the light. We will never quit even in the face of tremendous pressure and seemingly insurmountable odds. I hope that you will continue to keep me and the city in prayer as we work towards better days."
Mayor Young congratulated the new City Council President in a statement Monday:
"I join the entire city of Baltimore in congratulating Brandon M. Scott on being elected by his peers to serve as the next President of the Baltimore City Council.
I have known President Scott for more than a decade, and I am confident that he will serve the citizens of Baltimore to the best of his abilities.
In President Scott, Baltimore gains a dedicated public servant who will use the legislative process to move our city forward. I stand ready to work collaboratively with our new President and the members of the Council."
