On Friday, June 10, 2022, Philadelphia City Council got a new face in former Pennsylvania state rep Mike Driscoll, who was sworn in as the new City Councilmember from District 6.

The district, comprising parts of Northeast Philly that include Holmesburg, Mayfair, Tacony and more, was represented by now-former Councilmember Bobby Henon for 10 years before he was convicted alongside former Electrician’s Union boss John J. Dougherty, also known as ‘Johnny Doc,’ on federal bribery charges in a trial at the end of 2021.

The case, which was yet another to take down a member of City Council in the last decade, was also a black eye to the legislative body and city government as a whole and left a somber mood around City Hall.

On the flipside, Driscoll’s process to joining City Council has been one many leaders involved have equated to a celebration.

At the swearing-in ceremony on Friday, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney called it “a joyous occasion,” per reporting from the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Similar things were said of the initial gathering of ward leaders earlier this year to select Driscoll as the Democratic candidate to compete for the District 6 seat in the special election that also occurred on the day of PA’s primaries. 

“It was a love fest,” former City Controller Alan Butkovitz told the Inquirer of the meeting held at the Ashburner Inn in Holmesburg that also included Henon in the role of ward leader.

Driscoll ran unopposed in the special election. In addition to assuming Henon’s role in City Council, he also became the new Democratic Ward leader in the city’s 65th ward, also replacing the convicted former councilmember.

Before becoming a City Councilmember, Driscoll had served as a state rep from PA’s District 173 for seven years. He first assumed that role in 2015, after winning the only competitive election of his tenure in 2014, against Republican challenger Michael Tommlinson. Driscoll ran unopposed as the incumbent in 2016, 2018 and 2020.

”My accomplishment at today’s swearing in is reflected in you, your support, your vote, my ward leaders, your leadership, and your example,” he was quoted as saying by the Inquirer to supporters at the swearing in ceremony.