San Clemente City Council has appointed Councilman Dan Bane as the new mayor of the city.


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The 3-0 vote followed a special election in November, where Gene James was elected to join the council. Councilman Chris Hamm was absent.

Bane was elected as the mayor pro-tem following the previous council election in 2018. After the death of Mayor Steve Swartz in early May, Bane filled in as the unofficial mayor for the city.

Councilwoman Kathy Ward nominated Bane for the position of mayor due to his experience of the last year.

Filling Bane’s spot as mayor pro-tem will be Councilwoman Laura Ferguson. Both Bane and Ferguson will serve in their respective positions until council reorganization following next year’s election.

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