Santa Clarita City Council Swears In Laurene Weste As New Mayor

City Councilmember Laurene Weste was selected to be the next mayor for the City of Santa Clarita for 2022 during a special meeting Tuesday.

Weste was sworn in as the new mayor of the City of Santa Clarita at City Hall, with fellow Councilmember Jason Gibbs being sworn in as Mayor Pro Tem.

Elected in 1998, Weste served as Mayor Pro Tem in 2021, and has previously served as mayor five times over her 24-year career on the Santa Clarita City Council: in 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018.

“I have served as mayor before and it’s always an honor and privilege. I look forward to working with a great council and great city staff and a community that is generous and giving,” said Mayor Weste. “I can’t imagine living anywhere with better people.”

2021 outgoing Mayor Bill Miranda handed over the gavel to city staff, before voting amongst council members took place to decide on the new mayor for the next year.

Weste was selected for mayor after Councilmember Miranda nominated her, with Councilmember Gibbs seconding. The vote for Weste was anonymous among the council members. 

“I personally look forward to a respectful discussion with our constituents about our common goals. We will continue to work to keep Santa Clarita the safest place. We have a great deal to do together” said West.  

The newest Mayor Pro Tem, Gibbs was elected in 2020 to replace longtime Councilmember Bob Kellar. With only one year in office under his belt, this marks one of the shortest times between the initial election to the council and first term as mayor in Santa Clarita Valley history.

The mayoral position rotates amongst the five city council members each calendar year. While Santa Clarita residents do not directly vote for the mayor, they do vote on who may serve on the Santa Clarita City Council.

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