New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, right, waves while standing with his wife Chirlane McCray, second from right, and children Dante de Blasio, second from left, and Chiara de Blasio, after being sworn in as the mayor of New York City at the start of the new year, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014 in New York. De Blasio took the oath of office moments after midnight at his home in Park Slope, Brooklyn. His inauguration will be celebrated at noon Wednesday on the steps of City Hall when he takes the oath again, which will be administered by former President Bill Clinton. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, Pool)
NEW YORK—Bill de Blasio (dih BLAH’-zee-oh) has been sworn in as the 109th mayor of New York City.
He is the first Democrat to occupy City Hall in nearly 20 years and vows to pursue a sweeping liberal agenda for the nation’s largest city.
He took the oath of office in a small ceremony at his Brooklyn home Wednesday, minutes after midnight.
The 52-year-old de Blasio was joined by his wife, Chirlane McCray, and their two teenage children. The oath was delivered by state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.
A grander celebration is planned for City Hall at noon (1700 GMT) Wednesday. Former President Bill Clinton will deliver the oath.
The new mayor was elected on the promise of being a sharp break from Michael Bloomberg, who leaves office after 12 years.