PHOENIX — Phoenix officially has a new mayor.
Kate Gallego was sworn in at the historic Orpheum Theatre in downtown Phoenix on Thursday.
Gallego is the 61st mayor in the city’s history and only the second woman to be elected to that position in more than three decades.
In her inauguration speech, she focused on uniting the city.
“Phoenix is a city where anyone can come and make a difference, where everyone is welcome to start their next chapter," she said.
Gallego also indicated that she is ready to tackle the big issues facing the city, including affordable housing, infrastructure and jobs.
"Because of the investments we've made, the job market is shifting. Wages are rising as knowledge-based sectors grow," she said.
She also took a moment during her speech to honor the sacrifice of fallen Phoenix police officer Paul Rutherford, who was killed in the line of duty when he was hit by a car while helping at the scene of another crash Thursday morning.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with our officer, his family and all of our first responders," Gallego said.
The 37-year-old Gallego beat Daniel Valenzuela in the March 12 runoff election.
The two Democrats gave up their seats on the Phoenix City Council to run for mayor of the nation's fifth-largest city.
Gallego will finish the term of Greg Stanton, who was elected to the U.S. House last November.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.