Former East Petersburg Mayor James Malone was officially sworn in as a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate at the start of Monday’s session.

He was sworn in Justice Kevin M. Dougherty, with Lt. Governor Austin Davis in attendance.

Malone (D-Lancaster) won a special election in the 36th Senatorial District over Republican Josh Parsons, chair of the Lancaster County commissioners. He replaces Ryan Aument, who resigned to become state director for U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick.

Malone is the first Democrat to represent the northern Lancaster County district since it was redistricted in the 1980s. Republicans remain in the majority in the 50-seat chamber, 27-23.