Republican Terrence Murphy was sworn in at an inauguration ceremony Thursday in Yorktown Heights.

He is the new state senator for the 40th District, which includes Northern Westchester, all of Putnam and part of Dutchess County.

Murphy had spent five years on the Yorktown Town Board before defeating Democrat Justin Wagner in November. They were vying to succeed Republican Greg Ball, who chose not to seek another term.

"This was supposed to be a one-point win or a one-point lose, and we won by over 10 points, and that's because of you guys," Murphy told the crowd at his inauguration.

Murphy laid out a number of goals, including making a 2 percent tax cap permanent and calling for the death penalty for anyone who kills a first responder. He also declared war on heroin trafficking in the Hudson Valley.

Murphy's election is being met with mixed emotions by Yorktown officials. Murphy's vacancy is the second that the board will now have to fill with a special election, which is expected to be held in March.