Lamont Bagby is officially a state senator.

On Tuesday, the 46-year-old Democrat took the oath of office and became the new representative for the 9th Senate District, the final step in the process following his victory in a special election March 28.

His ceremonial installation took place a day before the General Assembly reconvened to deal with Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin’s vetoes and amendments to legislation.

Sen. Bagby took over the seat previously held by now Democratic U.S. 4th District Congresswoman Jennifer L. McClellan and will fill out the final nine months of her General Assembly term. The district he now represents includes part of Richmond, Ashland and part of Hanover County, Charles City County and Henrico County, where he lives.

Sen. Bagby, who also chairs the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus, previously served more than seven years as the representative for the 74th District in the House of Delegates. That seat is being left vacant.

In order to remain in the state Senate, he will need to win the upcoming election in the new 14th Senate District, the revamped and renumbered district that resulted from redistricting.

He already has signed to run in the decisive winner-take-all June Democratic primary in the district that includes a big chunk of Richmond and a smaller portion of Henrico.

He will face off against a Richmond minister, Katie Gooch. The winner could essentially be elected to a four-year term. At this point, no independent or Republican challenger has signed up to challenge the Democratic nominee in the general election that will be held in November.