'I am honored': Trenton swears in Reed Gusciora as city's new mayor

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Trenton swore in Reed Gusciora as the city's 48th mayor Sunday.
Trenton swore in Reed Gusciora as the city's 48th mayor Sunday. (Michael Mancuso)

Leadership in Trenton changed hands Sunday as long-time State Assemblyman Reed Gusciora was sworn in as the city's 48th mayor. 

Gusciora will be the capital city's mayor for the next four years after beating out Paul Perez by 355 votes in the runoff election. He will also serve as the city's first openly gay mayor. 

 

"We have an awesome and tremendous responsibility, and I have enjoyed serving with all of you. These are going to be among the best memories of my life," Gusciora said on his last day in the legislature. 

 

Gusciora served as a state assemblyman for 22 years, representing the 15th district which includes Hunterdon and Mercer counties.

At the swearing-in, Gusciora announced he was appointing Mercer County Undersheriff Pedro Medina as Trenton's interim police director. 

He also named Senator Shirley Turner, former Senator Peter Inverso, Rep. Bonnie Watson-Coleman, County Executive Brian Hughes, Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, Freeholder Samuel T. Frisby, Sr. and New Jersey Manufactures President & CEO Mitch Livingston to his transition committee. 

"I am honored that these distinguished individuals agreed to help my team as I prepare to be Trenton's mayor," Gusciora said earlier this week. "Trenton needs people who'll come from both the ranks of government and the private sector to partner together and lift our capital city."

 

During his campaign, Gusciora planned to focus on competency within the administration during his first year in office --  including addressing issues like the vacant positions in Trenton Water Works, and ensuring the city's residents feel safe, he said.

Paige Gross may be reached at pgross@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @By_paigegross. Find NJ.com on Facebook.