Three top staffers dismissed as Clarno takes office

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – On Oregon Secretary of State Bev Clarno’s first day in office, at least three top executives in the state’s second-highest office were dismissed.

Officials in her office confirmed to reporters that Deputy Secretary of State Leslie Cummings, chief of staff Deb Royal and governmental and legal affairs director Steve Elzinga were dismissed.

Clarno, a Republican, was appointed on Friday by Democratic Gov. Kate Brown.

Clarno, a former Republican legislator and house speaker, said on Twitter Monday that she was sworn in the previous evening at her Redmond hone by Senior Judge Michael Sullivan, who retired from the Deschutes County Circuit Court in 2012 and is eligible for temporary assignments.

Clarno said her formal swearing in will happen later this week.

The 83-year-old She succeeds Dennis Richardson, who died in February of brain cancer.

As the state’s top election official, Clarno will be responsible for overseeing the 2020 elections.

She said via email that she starts work this week and will be requesting briefing materials for all secretary of state office initiatives, and will meet with staff and state leaders. Her office will not comment on any staff transitions “as they are personnel matters,” her statement said.