The Wichita City Council chose former council member Paul Gray to fill the interim District IV seat, which represents southwest Wichita.
The vote was 4-2, with Mayor Carl Brewer and Vice Mayor Janet Miller voting for former council member Stan Reeser.
Gray previously served two terms with the council and left due to term limits.
"I'm very honored and humbled to serve the city of Wichita again in the capacity of council member," said Gray. "I really look forward to seeing how the campaign unfolds for the next few months so that the electoral process can work to properly seat somebody in this seat permanently. "
Gray was immediately sworn in by municipal court judge Jennifer Jones. Voters will select a permanent District IV replacement during the general election on April 2.