McDonough sworn in as secreatry of state

July 17, 2008

John McDonough, a politically active lawyer from Prince George's County, was sworn in as Maryland's 70th secretary of state yesterday in Annapolis.

Gov. Martin O'Malley, a Democrat, tapped McDonough to fill the position in his Cabinet that had been occupied on an interim basis by Dennis Schnepfe for 17 months. McDonough, 58, has worked on campaigns of Rep. Steny Hoyer and Kathleen Kennedy Townsend in her failed bid for governor. McDonough also served as a legislative aide to the Prince George's County Council.

In his law practice, McDonough specializes in land use, zoning and government. In his new job, McDonough will prepare the wording for the ballot question on the slots constitutional amendment. He said yesterday that he has worked with a number of clients with a range of views but that now he plans to work in the state's best interest. Laura Smitherman