SALEM, Ore. — Kate Brown was sworn in Wednesday as Oregon’s governor after an influence-peddling scandal that prompted the resignation of fellow Democrat John Kitzhaber, who had been the state’s longest-serving governor before his fall from grace.
Brown assumed Oregon’s highest office during a ceremony at the Capitol. Brown, formerly the secretary of state, becomes the nation’s first openly bisexual governor.
Kitzhaber, elected to an unprecedented fourth term last year, announced last week that he would step down amid allegations his fiancée used her relationship with him to enrich herself. Kitz haber has denied wrongdoing.
In a speech to the Legislature after her swearing-in, Brown praised Kitzhaber for his contributions to Oregon but also said, “We must restore the public’s trust.”
“There is a great deal of work ahead of us, and I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get to it,” she said.
Brown, 54, a Minnesota native, moved to Oregon to attend law school. She will not serve the full four years that Kitzhaber was elected to. Instead, the state constitution calls for holding a special election.
