A crowd of hundreds filled the Merced County Courthouse Museum on Thursday to watch as Rep. Adam Gray, D-Merced, took the oath of office.
Although Gray, 47, began his role in Washington D.C. earlier this month, Thursday’s ceremony was a chance for community members to wish him well.
In the above video, Gray’s mother Candace Adam-Medefind and sister Marit Medefind-Bond are shown singing “This Land Is Your Land” by Woody Guthrie at the beginning of the ceremony.
Gray, who was sworn-in by Judge John Kirihara, defeated Republican John Duarte last year by less than 200 votes.
Check back later for a full report by reporter Rachel Livinal on Thursday’s swearing in.