The new mayor and six city representatives, alongside municipal court judges, were sworn in Monday. The mayor and council begin their official duties Tuesday.

Renard Johnson made a bit of Borderland history on Monday night, Jan. 6. Johnson, a political newcomer and business owner, was sworn in as El Paso’s first-ever Black mayor during a ceremony at the Plaza Theatre in Downtown El Paso.

Mayor Renard Johnson and six El Paso City Council members took the oath of office during a ceremony at the Plaza Theatre Monday, Jan. 6, 2025.

Businessman Renard Johnson will be the next mayor of El Paso after besting city Rep. Brian Kennedy in a low turnout runoff election.

El Paso City Council representatives were at City Hall Tuesday morning, Jan. 7 to begin their official duties after being sworn in Monday night. The council has five new representatives and three returning members.

The newest members of El Paso's city government took their seats at City Hall for the first time Tuesday, Jan. 7, and named a newcomer mayor pro tem.

Businessman Renard Johnson maintains a strong lead over city Rep. Brian Kennedy in the mayoral runoff. The first round of election night results showed Johnson holding fast at 57% of the vote compared to Kennedy's 43%. Kennedy conceded the race following the release of early voting results.