SALEM, Ore. -- Kate Brown stepped in as Oregon's governor following John Kitzhaber's resignation amid ethics questions.
She was sworn in as Oregon's 38th governor Wednesday morning.
In her inaugural speech, Brown urged the state to unite following the political turmoil of recent months. She also spoke about government reform measures and a push for programs that aid working families.
"It's been a tough few months. The people of Oregon have had reason to question their trust in state government. Oregon has been in the national news for all the wrong reasons. That changes starting today," said Brown. "It's time to move Oregon forward."
Brown said that she would not seek or accept outside compensation from any source as long as she was governor.
"I pledge further that while I am governor, the members of my household and the members of my staff will not seek or accept any outside compensation, from any source, for any work related to the business of the State of Oregon. That simply won't happen," she said.
Brown told Oregon lawmakers they must work across party lines to restore the public's trust and strengthen laws to ensure timely release of public documents.
"Today is nearly half gone," she said. "Tomorrow awaits, full of promise. Now it's time to get to work."
Brown has been in the relatively obscure position of secretary of state. She replaces Oregon's most experienced governor in the middle of a legislative session and with a special election already looming.
Brown became the first openly bisexual governor in the nation. House Speaker Tina Kotek praised Brown for making history as the nation's first LGBT governor. The Human Rights Campaign also issued a statement of support, noting the historical significance but saying "the more important truth is that she's supremely capable of leading the state to better days ahead."
Browns swearing in followed a wild week in Oregon politics. Kitzhaber called Brown and asked her to fly home from a conference in Washington, D.C., sparking speculation that he would resign. The two met face to face, but Kitzhaber later released a statement saying he had no intention of resigning.
Brown's statement the next day calling the Kitzhaber situation "bizarre... strange... unprecedented" was one of several unusual moments leading up to the governor's resignation announcement. In an interview with Oregonian columnist Steve Duin, Brown explained why she described it that way:
"I issued the statement because I thought it was important for people to know the truth. I had no clue what was going to happen, based on the last 36 hours of dealing with the governor... His behavior and his story were very hard to comprehend. I didn't want to be caught up in any lies," she told the newspaper for its report.
Brown said it was only the second call she had received from the governor in five years and that his back-and-forth behavior that pulled her away from a national conference where she was presiding was questionable.
Kitzhaber stepped down after months of media reports detailed work his fiancée, Cylvia Hayes, did on behalf of advocacy organizations. He's denied wrongdoing.
Willamette Week published a story Wednesday showing emails between the two reveal a five-year plan by Hayes to gain a state job that influences policy, get more out-of-state contracts for her, increase her speaking engagements and eventually publish books as his fourth term ends.
The weekly also published a story that outlines a 2002 friendship between an 81-year-old retired professor and Hayes, then 32 and a candidate for the legislature. She borrowed money for a home, creating a financial dispute ended only when Kitzhaber bailed her out.
Although he's currently embroiled in ethics and criminal investigations, Kitzhaber leaves behind a lasting legacy that includes decades of public service and contributions that transformed the state.
