Bev Clarno, 83, an influential state legislator in the 1990s, has been appointed Oregon’s new secretary of state.

Gov. Kate Brown made the appointment after a search that lasted nearly a month. Brown said she wanted someone who would focus on the office’s day-to-day operations -- not on running for office in 2020.

Brown made the announcement Friday afternoon.

Clarno, of Redmond, served as Speaker of the House and Senate Republican Leader in the Oregon Legislature. She was also appointed by President George W. Bush as Director for Region 10 of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

“Bev’s career is marked by her trailblazing spirit, focus on fiscal responsibility, and a commitment to Oregonians,” Brown said. “Bev’s experience as a legislator and as a manager of a large government organization is key to the success of the programs and employees the Secretary of State oversees."

Clarno replaces Dennis Richardson, who died Feb. 26.

“I’m confident that Bev will continue the legacy of accountability and integrity that Secretary Richardson left on the office,” Brown said.

Clarno had been a hog farmer and cattle rancher, real estate broker and appraiser among other occupations before her election in 1988 to the Oregon House of Representatives. She was re-elected three times, and served as Speaker of the House from 1995 to 1997.

She was elected to the Oregon State Senate in 2000, and served as Senate Republican Leader in the 2003 session.

“I’m honored by the confidence that Governor Brown has placed in me and pledge to be a good steward of the office," Clarno said. “I know there is not a Republican way or a Democrat way to oversee elections—there is only a fair and honest way. There is not a Republican way or a Democrat way to audit state agencies, there is only a fair, thorough, and honest way.”

Under state law, Brown was obligated to select a Republican to replace Richardson. But the requirements end there. Unlike with legislative vacancies, there is no requirement for candidates to be selected by party officials.

Still, the Oregon Republican Party had offered up five potential candidates, including former State Rep. Katie Eyre of Hillsboro; former State Sen. Bill Kennemer of Canby; Lynn Snodgrass, a former lawmaker who served as House Speaker and ran unsuccessfully for Secretary of State in 2000; former State Rep. Gene Whisnant of Sunriver; and Debra Royal, who served as Richardson’s chief of staff and communications director and continues in those roles.

Former Republican lawmaker Rich Vial and Brad Hicks, president and CEO of the Medford Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, were serious candidates. Both said they were interviewed by the Governor or her staff four times.

The Oregon Republican Party was happy with the pick. “Bev Clarno is a person with a distinguished background,” said Kevin Hoar, communications director for the party. “We’re optimistic about the opportunity of working with Secretary Clarno. We’re very hopeful that she will continue the excellent groundbreaking work of Dennis Richardson and his very talented staff.”

“I think we knew the governor was not aiming to choose somebody who would be pursuing a lengthy political career,” Hoar continued. “We acknowledge the nature of the pick and we also think that Bev Clarno is a good person.”