The St. Louis County Council got its fifth Democrat today.

U.S. District Judge Rodney Sippel swore in Steve Stenger of Affton as councilman from the 6th District to give Democrats five of the seven seats on the council. Stenger ousted Councilman John Campisi, R-south St. Louis County, in the Nov. 4 election.

Stenger began his term in a ceremony at noon in the county council chambers in Clayton. Two reelected council members also started new terms. They were Council Chairman Kathleen Kelly Burkett, D-Overland, sworn in by Charlack Municipal Judge Joseph A. Lott, and Councilman Mike O’Mara, D-Florissant, sworn in by St. Louis County Circuit Judge John Ross.

For the first time in 10 years, the swearing-in ceremony featured only Democrats. But today’s event did not have a partisan tone. Instead, two of the newly-elected council members acknowledged the rough economic year behind them and looked forward to the future.

Stenger promised, “I plan to do all I can do to help South County. I want to be the best councilman possible.” O’Mara, said, “We’ll get through this bump in the road and have a great year.”

Burkett noted that Councilwoman Hazel Erby, D-University City, will be the chairwoman of the council for this year. She presided over the swearing-in ceremony. The council will formally select her as chairwoman on Tuesday.

County Executive Charlie Dooley attended the ceremony, but did not speak.

Also present was U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan, D-St. Louis. Stenger and Erby both thanked Carnahan for help in their campaigns.

Speakers also pointed out that Prosecuting Attorney Robert McCulloch, State Rep. Pat Yaeger, D-Lemay, and State Rep.-elect Vicki Lorenz Englund, D-south St. Louis County, were present.

Campisi’s victory in November 2000 over then Councilman Jeff Wagener, a Democrat from Oakville, gave Republicans control of the council that lasted until Jan. 1, 2007. The loss by then Councilman Kurt Odenwald, R-Shrewsbury, in November 2006 to Councilwoman Barbara Fraser, D-University City, returned the council to Democratic rule.