The Omaha City Council made its vice president its new president in a vote last week.

Chris Jerram assumed the role of council president from Ben Gray at the June 4 meet­ing. 

Jerram was elected presi­dent on a 5-2 vote, with two members backing Gray in a secret ballot. 

“Mr. President, the hot seat is yours,” Gray said after the vote.

“I look forward to the next two years,” Jerram said after assuming the president’s position.

Jerram also thanked Gray for the work he did behind the scenes to help fellow council members.

“You did a really good job, and not only represented us well here but you went on the road to repre­sent the city elsewhere, so we thank you,” Jerram said.

Jerram is an attorney at Woodke & Gibbons PC LLO. He began his law practice in 1991 with an emphasis in liti­gation. He is a graduate of the Creighton University School of Law.

Jerram had been the coun­cil’s vice president. Vinny Palermo was named the coun­cil’s new vice president at the June 4 meeting.

Jerram and Gray were both first elected in 2009, while Palmero was first elected in 2017. Gray will re­main on the council.