Governor Martin O'Malley Name John McDonough Preceded by Dennis C. Schnepfe Spouse Mary Gober (m. 1972) | Succeeded by John C. Wobensmith Party Democratic Party Political party Democratic | |
 | ||
Deputy Rajan Natarajan
Peter Fosselman Full Name John P. McDonough Born July 7, 1950 (age 73)
Scranton, Pennsylvania ( 1950-07-07 ) Alma mater Johns Hopkins University
UM School of Law Role Former Secretary of State of Maryland Previous office Secretary of State of Maryland (2008–2015) Residence Mitchellville, Maryland, United States Children Emily McDonough, Caitlin McDonough, Aisling McDonough Education Bladensburg High School, University of Maryland School of Law, Johns Hopkins University | ||
John P. McDonough (born July 7, 1950) is an American politician from Maryland. He served as Secretary of State of Maryland – a position appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state senate – from July 16, 2008 to January 21, 2015. The Secretary of State is one of the state's six constitutional officers, along with the Governor, Lt. Governor, Comptroller, Attorney General and Treasurer.
Contents
Early life and education
McDonough was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania and moved to Prince George's County, Maryland in 1952. He graduated from Bladensburg High School in 1968, and Johns Hopkins University in 1972 with a degree in political science. McDonough received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1977 and was admitted to the Maryland State Bar Association that same year.
After serving as a legislative aide for the Prince George's County Council from 1970 to 1974, and the Chief of Staff for the Prince George's County Executive from 1974 to 1978, McDonough practiced law as an associate and partner in various firms from 1979 to 2005, including the firm of O’Malley, Miles, Nylen & Gilmore where he was a managing partner for ten years.
McDonough was a member of the Maryland Stadium Authority from 1986 to 1994. He served as vice chair of the Prince George's County Democratic Central Committee from 1998 to 2000 and served as its Counsel from 2000 to 2008.
Secretary of State
Governor Martin O'Malley appointed McDonough as Secretary of State of Maryland on July 16, 2008. As Secretary of State, McDonough oversaw the registration of notaries and charitable organizations and served as the Governor's liaison for labor relations. He served as the chair of the Governor's Subcabinet for International Affairs and was on the Board of State Canvassers. Secretary McDonough was active with the National Association of Secretaries of State, having served on the Executive Board, as Co-chair of the International Relations Committee, and later as Chair of the Democratic Association of Secretaries of State.
Personal life
McDonough married Mary Lou Gober in 1972 and the couple has three daughters, Emily, Caitlin and Aisling. The family has lived in Mitchellville, Maryland since 1979. Mary Lou serves as Director of Corrections for Prince George's County, MD.