The Georgia Senate is welcoming Macon's former city council president as its newest member.

Miriam Paris was sworn in Monday by Georgia Supreme Court Justice Robert Benham. The Democrat defeated ex-state Rep. David Lucas in a special election held Aug. 16 by a margin of 12,950 to 10,220.

The district includes east Macon, part of Houston County, most of Wilkinson County and all of Twiggs County.

Paris succeeds former Senate Minority Leader Robert Brown, who left the Senate earlier this year in an unsuccessful bid for mayor of Macon.

She is the ninth female member of the Senate.

Tags: Macon Georgia, Miriam Paris