Wes Moore taps interim chiefs for key Maryland departments after exits

MARYLAND (WBFF) — Several top state departments will see new interim leaders as three long-serving Maryland Cabinet secretaries step down.

Gov. Wes Moore announced the departures of Secretary of State Susan C. Lee, Secretary of Public Safety and Correctional Services Carolyn J. Scruggs and Secretary of Veterans and Military Families Edward C. Rothstein.

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Lee is leaving her position for personal reasons after 24 years of service as a cabinet member and state legislator and Scruggs is stepping down after more than 30 years in state and department service.

Rothstein, who joined the administration in August 2025, will also leave his role.

“Secretary Susan Lee, Secretary Carolyn Scruggs, and Secretary Ed Rothstein have devoted decades of faithful and exemplary service to the people of Maryland,” said Gov. Moore. “Our state has greatly benefited from their leadership, expertise, and service in the Cabinet, and I thank them for raising their hands to serve and leading these critical departments during these historically challenging times.”

Three deputy secretaries will fill the roles, while searches for permanent replacements begin for the Secretary of State and Secretary of Public Safety and Correctional Services. Deputy Secretary Michael Lore will take on the position of Interim Secretary of State beginning Nov. 6. Deputy Secretary of Operations David C. Greene will serve as Interim Secretary of Public Safety and Correctional Services. Deputy Secretary James “Jimmy” Anderson will become Acting Secretary of Veterans and Military Families.

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Lore has been Deputy Secretary of State since January 2023 and previously held positions as chief of staff to former Senator Susan C. Lee in the Maryland General Assembly. Greene became Deputy Secretary for Operations in January 2026 after two decades of rising through leadership roles in public safety, including management of the rollout of body-worn cameras across 18 facilities. Anderson has served as Deputy Secretary at Veterans and Military Families since November 2025 and previously held White House and Department of Veterans Affairs leadership roles, in addition to a 15-year Air Force career.

The changes take effect Nov. 6 as new leaders step in to oversee the state agencies.