After a nearly month-long wait, Antioch’s two new city councilmen were finally able to take their seats on Tuesday night.

Wade Harper, a Tracy police lieutenant and former Antioch Unified School District board member, and Gary Agopian, a real estate salesman, were the voters’ choice to replace Reggie Moore and Martha Parsons.

“I’m looking forward to being a part of this dream team,” Harper said. “Yes, we will work together as a team and I come in with no hidden agenda; only to make this city safer and to bring value to our city.”

While Harper captured 24.23 percent of the vote, winning his spot easily, Agopian’s seat was too close to call until Tuesday, when the Contra Costa County Registrar of Voters certified the election. Agopian beat former councilman Arne Simonsen by a mere 157 votes.

Because Harper was the leading vote-getter, he will take over for Mary Helen Rocha as the Mayor Pro Tem.

“This was a very civil election,” Agopian said. “I think it’s a sign of the maturity that we have as a city. I hope it’s a sign of the kind of city that we’ll be in the future.”

Moore, the city’s first African-American council member, and an emotional Parsons were thanked for their service before Tuesday’s meeting. Both said they would remain active in the Antioch community. Contra Costa County District 5 Supervisor Federal Glover also gave certificates of recognition to both outgoing councilmembers.

“It’s truly been a very humbling yet challenging experience,” Moore said. “The willingness to represent the whole of this community has been a pleasure and it is something that I will take with me to my dying days.”

Both Moore and Parsons ran for re-election, Moore earning 18.18 percent of the vote and Parsons 16.79.

“You allowed me to serve two years with you,” Parsons said, trying to fight back tears, “and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute.”

After Moore and Parsons received their council portraits and thanks from Mayor Jim Davis, Harper and Agopian were sworn in, their families by their sides.

Tuesday’s election certification was also a relief for Joy Motts, who will take a seat on the AUSD board along with leading vote-getter Gary Hack. Motts won by a margin of 252 votes over third-place finisher Jack Yeager. Shortly after Election Day, Motts’ lead over Yeager was a scant four votes.

Hack and Motts will officially replace Harper and incumbent Teri Lynn Shaw during an AUSD board meeting on Dec. 8.

“It’s like I’ve had a bottle of champagne on ice for a month,” Motts said. “It’s time to get things moving and get things going on. I’m ready.”