Biskupski, Salt Lake City’s New Openly Gay Mayor, takes office, pledges to build a more ‘inclusive’ city

Biskupski’s historic election, as the city’s first openly gay mayor, was met with warm reception on a brisk Monday afternoon. A crowd of about 500 welcomed her with a standing ovation after she took the oath of office on the steps of the Salt Lake City-County Building.

Biskupski’s fiancee, Becky Iverson, stood at the new mayor’s side as she was sworn in by Salt Lake County presiding Judge Shauna Graves-Robertson.

Following the ceremony, Biskupski said she’s committed to “building an inclusive and welcoming” Salt Lake City by improving air quality, welcoming businesses, creating opportunity for people from all walks of life, and rooting out crime and homelessness.

“The people of this city are why I ran my first race,” Biskupski said, referencing her unsuccessful bid for Salt Lake City Council in 1997. “And you are why I am standing here today. It is for you that I will work every day to build a city for everyone.”

Jackie Biskupski was sworn into office Monday, becoming Salt Lake City’s 35th mayor.

Biskupski was joined by members of the Salt Lake City Council, including Derek Kitchen and Andrew Johnston, who were also sworn into office for the first time Monday, and Charlie Luke, who begins a second term on the council.

Kitchen and Johnston replace former councilmen Luke Garrott and Kyle LaMalfa. Garrott ran an unsuccessful campaign for mayor, while LaMalfa did not seek re-election.

Former Mayor Ralph Becker watched from the crowd of onlookers as the new elected officials were sworn in. Becker served as mayor of Utah’s capital city for eight years before falling less than 1,200 votes short in his bid for a third term.

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By Katie McKeller, Deseret News, January 4, 2016

SALT LAKE CITY —