Following Special Election, Holly Mitchell Sworn in to State Senate

Follwing her victory in last week's special election for California's 26th Senate district, former Assemblymember Holly Mitchell was sworn in to office Thursday in Sacramento.

Mitchell, the first African American woman to serve in the State Senate in 12 years, will represent Century City along with communities such as Culver City and parts of West Los Angeles.

“I am deeply honored by the trust voters of the 26th Senate District have invested in me," Mitchell said in a news release. "I take seriously their charge to continue working hard every day to help ensure that California remains the kind of home we want to live in and offers the future our children deserve."

Mitchell formerly served three years in the State Assembly and also chaired the Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services.

Mitchell received 80.6 percent of the vote in last Tuesday's special election, beating out rival Mervin Evans.