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Paul Stenbjorn, the executive director of the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics, is resigning from the position, DCist has learned. His departure comes only months after the sudden departure of his predecessor, Rokey Suleman, who resigned in July.
Stenbjorn, who formerly served as the board’s Chief Technology Officer, said he accepted a position in the private sector, and that he would be replaced by Clifford Tatum, a consultant who was a final candidate for the position that was eventually given to Suleman. Tatum, whose promotion was approved by the board, will assume the position on October 27.
In a memo dated today, board Chair Togo West thanked Stenbjorn for his service and welcomed Tatum to the position.
“Paul Stenbjorn leaves us to take up an offer which is-simply put-too good to be refused. Though we congratulate him on his new opportunity, the Board accepts his resignation with regret and great appreciation for his service and his commitment to the Board, its mission, and its people. We wish and we anticipate that Paul will enjoy every success in his exciting next enterprise and all his future endeavors,” he wrote.
Stenbjorn’s departure caps off a turbulent few months at the city’s election authority, which is charged with running the April 2012 presidential and local primary. In September, Mayor Vince Gray announced three nominees for the board, one of which was derailed the same week because the candidate didn’t meet legal residency requirements.
Update, 2:10 p.m.: The Post’s Mike DeBonis has the details on Tatum, who is a former Georgia elections administrator.
Martin Austermuhle