Mike Elliott Sworn In as Brooklyn Center Mayor

History was made Wednesday morning in Brooklyn Center, as a man of Liberian descent was sworn in as mayor. Mike Elliott lived in Liberia as a boy and came to live in Brooklyn Center when he was 11. He graduated from Brooklyn Center High School and says the city is an important part of who he is.

Voters elected Elliott with 55 percent of the vote in November, over incumbent Mayor Tim Willson, who had held the office since 2007. It was the second time to face Willson in the race for Brooklyn Center mayor. In 2014, Elliott lost by only 145 votes, but four years later, Elliott won by more than a thousand votes.

Elliott campaigned for change and talked about it after his swearing-in ceremony.

“Going forward it’s about me getting out into the community, continuing to talk to people, get people engaged, and get people involved in city-making,” says Mayor Mike Elliott. “I think that we will be successful when we can bring people to the table.”

Elliott says he learned while out campaigning that people understand Brooklyn Center’s challenges.

“People not only have a good grasp of what issues they are facing, but they have solutions,” says Elliott.

A crowd of supporters and well-wishers filled city council chambers to watch Elliott’s swearing-in. Many were in traditional African dress. Elliott says he thinks this is a moment that makes the entire community proud.

Elliott will preside over his first city council meeting on January 14.

Brooklyn Center