Oregon has new governor after scandal spurred predecessor’s resignation

Kate Brown became Oregon’s new governor Wednesday, making history as the first openly bisexual state chief executive in the United States.

Her swearing-in at the capital in Salem caps a scandal that ended former Gov. John Kitzhaber’s time in office.

The Democrat had faced increasing calls to resign this month over reports that showed his fiancee advised state employees and the governor on energy policy while she got paid by a group advocating on the issue. On February 13, Kitzhaber ceded to that pressure and announced he would step down this week.

Brown served as Oregon’s secretary of state since 2009. The 54-year-old Democrat has been a fixture in Oregon politics for nearly 25 years.

Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender groups have hailed Brown becoming governor.

She called her husband, Dan Little, “her rock” in her speech.

“It’s a been a tough two months,” Brown said. “Oregon has been in the national news for all the wrong reasons. That changes starting today … it’s time to move Oregon forward.”

She vowed that she would never, as governor, seek outside compensation for any work related to the business of Oregon.

CNN’s Alexandra Jaffe, Jeremy Diamond and Rebekah Metzler contributed to this report.