Sylvester Turner officially began his second term as mayor for the city of Houston when he, City Controller Chris Brown, and Houston City Council were sworn in on January 2, 2020, before a packed house at the Wortham Theater. Mayor Turner won the honor of continuing to lead Houston after defeating opponent Tony Buzbee in the run-off election.

While his daughter Ashley Turner held the Holy Bible Mayor Turner took the oath of office by United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas, Vanessa Gilmore, followed by Controller Brown who also was sworn in by Judge Gilmore. Mayor Turner then administered the oath of office to the council.

"Four years is not a long time, but I firmly believe that if we work together over the next four years, we can set the stage for this decade," Turner opened in his inaugural address.

Turner laid out his plan for Houston that included a concentration on the mounting street repairs, reducing the homeless population, improving flood mitigation projects, and continuing to work with the Complete Communities initiative.

"I look forward to working with you all over the next four years, and with the city council, including the record number of women who will be serving in leading positions," Turner said.

The 2020-2024 council makes history for Houston for its diversity and the number of women in office. Currently, there are eight members on the council. Nine of the sixteen members are new to the council. Once the fate of District B is decided the sixteen member council will be complete and have the addition of one more woman, Jerry Davis remains in office until his predecessor is announced.

Mayor Turner closed his speech saying, "God bless Houston, God bless America, and the best for Houston has yet to come."

Immediately after the inauguration ceremony, Mayor Turner and the new council retreated to City Hall to hold the first meeting of the year. During that meeting, the council confirmed the mayor’s nomination of Council Members Dave Martin as Houston’s Mayor Pro Tem and Martha Castex-Tatum as Houston’s Vice Mayor Pro Tem. The two will represent the mayor when he is not present.

Congratulation to Mayor Turner, Controller Brown, and the new council.