HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) — For the first time in eight years, Hampton has a new mayor. Jimmy Gray took his ceremonial oath of office Wednesday morning in front of a packed room of city employees, family members and supporters at the Hampton Roads Convention Center. Gray, 69, was elected in November with more than 70% of the vote, succeeding Mayor Donnie Tuck, who opted not to run for a third term. Previously: Hampton Mayor Donnie Tuck delivers final State of the City address Gray is far from a new face, however. He served as the city's vice mayor since 2018, was elected to City Council first in 2016 and served previously as a deputy city manager and fire chief for the city. Candidate Profile: James Gray Jr. (Hampton Mayor) "This is more than a title," Gray told those gathered. "It's a responsibility. This team, this council, is going to work together to tackle the challenges and make a meaningful difference together." Gray expressed that he is anxious to get to work. While he has many goals, he said a priority is economic development. "We've got some undeveloped sites in our city and ... we've been holding those for development," Gray said. "We see the light at the end of the tunnel. The developers are interested, and for us, that means taking property that's not on the tax rolls right now and getting [the property] back on the tax rolls, giving us more revenue and be able to even lower the taxes on our citizens." Four other City Council members were sworn-in as well. Freshman council members Randy Bowman and Carolyn Campbell took the oath for the first time, alongside former Councilwoman Michelle Ferebee and re-elected council member Hope Harper. In a split 4-3 vote, City Council elected Councilman Steven Brown to succeed Gray as Vice Mayor. Gray, Harper and Councilwoman Martha Mugler voted against the nomination. "Sometimes politically, we don't always agree on everything," Gray said. "But ... we're Hampton, and we've learned to put those things aside once we get ready to work. And I think we'll do that this time."