WASHINGTON — Massachusetts Democrat Edward Markey on Tuesday became the newest member of the Senate, taking the oath of office after serving 37 years on the other side of the Capitol in the House.

Markey, 67, takes the seat that John Kerry won in 1984 and held until he resigned earlier this year to become secretary of state.

Last month Markey defeated Gabriel Gomez, a 47-year-old businessman and former Navy SEAL, in a special election. He will fill out the rest of Kerry’s term, which expires in January 2015, meaning he would have to run again in November next year for a full six-year term.

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Sen. Edward Markey raises his hand to repeat the oath for Vice President Joe Biden in the Old Senate Chamber Tuesday, following his official ceremony earlier in the Senate Chamber. He is joined by his wife, Dr. Susan J. Blumenthal, center. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)