Former Mayor of Coachella, Eduardo Garcia addresses the crowd at the city’s swearing-in ceremony on Thursday, December 4 at Coachella’s City Council Chambers. Photo: Ivan Valenzuela / Coachella Uninc.

COACHELLA—Residents gathered in the Coachella City Council Chambers Thursday night to witness Steven Hernandez get sworn in as the city’s newest mayor.

Hernandez won the mayoral race by 56 percent in November. He is stepping into a position previously held by Eduardo Garcia, Coachella’s first elected mayor — Garcia served as mayor for eight years.

During the swearing-in ceremony, Garcia was honored with a plaque, golden key and golden shovel to commemorate his service to the city.

Garcia will now go on to represent the 56th district in the California State Assembly.

Former Assemblyman V. Manuel Pérez and former Coachella City Treasurer Betty Sanchez were also sworn-in as the city’s newest city council members.

 View a gallery of photos from the swearing-in ceremony on our Facebook page.