Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 | 11:03 a.m.
When it was time for Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman to pass the torch to incoming Mayor Shelley Berkley at today’s city council meeting, the women combined to grip the gavel.
After a long hug, Berkley delivered an address pledging to continue the work of the Goodmans in building Las Vegas as a “world-class” tourist destination and metropolitan area. Carolyn and husband, Oscar, combined to be mayor for 25 years.
That run ended today when the recently elected Berkley was sworn into office with her family by her side.
“Las Vegas is a city of dreams; people dream big in our town, whether it’s hitting Megabucks, landing a job to support your family, buying a home, opening a business, getting a second chance in a new town — we all have dreams,” Berkley said. “I will endeavor to create an atmosphere where everyone who wants to share in the success of Las Vegas has an opportunity to do so, no matter what the color of your skin, where your family’s from, whether you’re a Republican, a Democrat, an Independent, whether you’re a business owner or a proud union member.”
Berkley was sworn-in by Michael Cherry, a former justice of the Nevada Supreme Court, who thanked Goodman for her service before recalling the time he first met Berkley when he was a public defender in Clark County.
Berkley detailed the journey her family took from their home in upstate New York to make a new life in Las Vegas — a story residents can relate to with many transplants calling the city home.
Berkley emphasized that “it’s my job, along with the members of the city council, city staff and employees, to create an environment that is conducive to helping our fellow citizens realize their dreams.”
Berkley stressed that she is just one person. For everyone to flourish, “Las Vegas needs your talent, your drive, your hard work if we’re all going to succeed. We’re a world-class tourist destination, we should also be a world-class place to live and raise our families,” she said.
Berkley, who spent 14 years serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, was elected mayor in November with 53% of the vote over Councilwoman Victoria Seaman. She also previously served in the Nevada Assembly and spent eight years on the Nevada System of High Education Board of Regents.
Berkley previously told the Sun that her past experiences in the public and private sectors had given her “an extraordinary amount of knowledge and information” that will impact the region. After leaving public office, Berkley served as senior vice president of the Touro University system through 2022.
She believes the next 10 years will bring another boon to the region with the increase of major league sports, health care, arts and economic diversification.
She campaigned on wanting to improve public safety, addressing homelessness and making affordable housing more available.
Berkley told the Sun during the campaign that she hopes to expand the city’s medical district, foster the development of the recently announced standalone children’s hospital in southwest Las Vegas, grow the city’s vibrant arts scene and continue advocating for bringing major league sports to the region.
Berkley wasn’t the only new council member to take office today.
Councilwoman Shondra Summers-Armstrong, who will represent Ward 5, which includes the Historic Westside, also took office. She replaced Cedric Crear.
“It is really a privilege and it’s an honor to serve Ward 5 and the city of Las Vegas,” Summers-Armstrong said after being sworn in. “This community is my community. It has entrusted to me their hopes and their dreams for growth and jobs and redevelopment and advancement, and I will do my very best to work diligently with you to make these hopes and dreams come true.”
Summers-Armstrong thanked her family, friends and everyone who supported her during the campaign. She earned 53% of the vote to beat Cameron Miller.
Summers-Armstrong continued by saying it was “kind of crazy” for a young girl “raised by an amazing woman” in East Oakland to now hold this position where she can serve the community.