O’Malley swears in new secretary of state

Gov. Martin O'Malley (D-Baltimore) swore in Maryland’s 17th Secretary of State on Wednesday. Attorney John McDonough of Prince George’s County will be taking over for Interim Secretary of State Dennis Schnepfe, who has been serving since January 2007.

McDonough began immediately after being sworn in Wednesday, though Maryland law requires he be confirmed by the Senate during the next legislative session.

“I want to congratulate John McDonough on this appointment, and thank him for accepting this extraordinary responsibility as Maryland’s Secretary of State,” Governor O’Malley said in a statement.

“I am confident in John’s ability to serve the people of Maryland in this role, and look forward to having him as a member of our Executive Cabinet. I also want to thank Interim Secretary Dennis Schnepfe for his outstanding work over these last 17 months. He has left this agency in excellent condition, and has served honorably in his role as Interim Secretary.”

McDonough expressed how honored he was to be filling the role of Secretary of State.

“I’m honored in the confidence and trust that the Governor has shown in me to fulfill this important role for Maryland,” he said after being sworn in. “My heartfelt appreciation goes to Dennis Schnepfe and the entire staff of the Office of the Secretary of State. I’m so proud to be associated with the O’Malley-Brown administration, and look forward to getting started.”

According to the governor’s office, the Secretary of State is in charge of enforcing the law in a variety of areas including charitable solicitations, notaries, condominiums, certifications and publication of State regulations.

Interim Secretary of State Dennis Schnepfe will return full-time to his position as Administrator of the Division of State Documents .