Sen.-elect Ed Tarver became District 22 state Sen. Tarver when he was sworn into office Tuesday by Judge John H., Ruffin Jr., the chief judge of the Court of Appeals of Georgia.

Mr. Tarver vowed to work to improve Augusta's economy and the state's schools, and to support law enforcement's efforts to create a safe environment for everyone.

"I pledge to work with everyone," he said, with his wife, Beverly; son Eddie; and daughter Elizabeth by his side. "No matter what their party affiliation, no matter what their color, what their race or gender. I totally believe that there are better days ahead for Augusta, and I will do everything in my power to bring those days about."

Mr. Tarver was elected to fill the seat vacated in June after Sen. Charles Walker was convicted of federal crimes. Mr. Tarver won a special election with 63.3 percent of the votes, defeating former state Reps. Ben Allen and George Brown.

Patrick J. Rice, Mr. Tarver's law partner at Hull, Towill, Norman, Barrett & Salley, P.C., presided over the ceremonies in the Augusta Commission chambers, attended by Mr. Tarver's mother, Mae Tarver; his three sisters; and other family members. Commission chambers were packed with members of the judiciary, law enforcement and elected officials.

Mr. Rice said no one has done more for his community in the past 10 years than Mr. Tarver, who served as chairman of the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Augusta, Leadership Georgia and St. John Towers. He also served as president of Augusta Technical College's board of directors and Easter Seals.

"I think all of you will agree with me that now we have a man that needs to be introduced as the person who has lifted the heads, lifted the eyes, lifted the sights, lifted the hopes and lifted the aspirations of all Augustans," Mr. Rice said.

"He, in one fell swoop, made us view our Augusta universe in something other than the colors of black and white. ... And something other than the geography of east Augusta, and south Augusta and west Augusta. ... A man who I believe all of us feel in our hearts will raise our city out of mediocrity to make us a viable, prosperous, can-do, will-do community."

Afterward, Mr. Tarver said he knew there was a lot of work and brighter days ahead for Augusta, but he was ready to do the job.

Reach Sylvia Cooper at (706) 823-3228 or sylvia.cooper@augustachronicle.com.