Oregon’s new secretary of state, Democrat Jeanne Atkins, took the oath of office at the state capitol Wednesday.
She replaces Kate Brown, who became Governor last month when John Kitzhaber resigned amid a criminal ethics investigation. Atkins will serve the remainder of Kate Brown's term, which lasts until January 2017.
Atkins told a room filled with friends and family members that she has no plans to run for a full term.
"I had a very successful retirement going,” she said. “It's been described as an epic fail retirement by some of my friends."
Atkins is a long-time political staffer who's never held elected office. The Oregon secretary of state oversees elections, conducts audits and maintains state archives.