Roger J. Reinert was officially sworn in today as Duluth’s mayor during an inauguration ceremony at Duluth City Hall. City leadership and staff, community members and various elected officials gathered at noon in the first-floor rotunda to mark the occasion.

Mayor Reinert was sworn in by Sixth Judicial District Court Judge Dale Harris. Judge Harris is also a retired Navy Reserve Captain and Judge Advocate General Officer. All four living former Duluth Mayors were also in attendance.

Mayor Reinert also made brief remarks to the gathered attendees following the oath. He reiterated themes for the campaign of a priority focus on affordable and efficient core city services, a commitment in City Hall to being good partners, and the critical tasks of revitalizing Downtown Duluth, growing Duluth’s commercial tax base, and providing housing across all income levels.

“We have very clear priorities ahead of us in 2024,” Reinert said. “The primary role of city government is streets, utilities and public safety. Neighborhood parks, libraries and community centers. And to ensure that these core services are effective, efficient, and at a tax rate we can afford and sustain.”

He also highlighted his focus on the city being a good partner.

“At City Hall we will also renew our commitment to partnership with other governmental entities like the county, ISD 709, and our near neighbor communities, as well as our area businesses and local nonprofits. And most importantly — everyday Duluthians.”

Reinert also spoke about the importance of holding the ceremony at City Hall.

“This is the place you all come with your ideas, hopes, challenges, and problems. This is the place we ask our best and brightest to join the City team and be your partners. And, this is the place the Duluthians who went before us built for this purpose.”

Reinert was elected with 60 percent of the vote on Nov. 7. He previously served Duluth as a city councilor, state representative, and state senator. Reinert is a licensed attorney, and U.S. Navy (Reserve) Commander. He is an active runner, a licensed pilot, and an avid sailor of Lake Superior.

Incoming Duluth city councilors will take the oath in a city council inauguration ceremony at 4:45 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 4, in council chambers prior to their first agenda session of 2024.