Kamala Harris, the state's new Attorney General and the seventh woman to be elected to state wide office administered the oath to Bowen, the sixth woman to hold statewide office.
"I Debra Bowen do solemnly swear that I will support and defend…"
Bowen was reelected in November. As Secretary of State, she oversees all elections, the State Archives, and filings for campaign office and lobbying activities, but has no enforcement powers.
"I have to rely on the office of the AG and the DA's around the state to take enforcement action in any situation so I'm really grateful to have you here. It's so wonderful to have 2/7th of the women ever elected to statewide office here at the same time."
Starting this year, Bowen's office will also oversee the work
of the Citizen's Redistricting Commission.