McClintock was sworn in, under a recess appointment, as the 22nd Secretary of State of Puerto Rico on the morning of January 2, 2009 by Puerto Rico Supreme Court Chief Justice Federico Hernández Denton in the court's chambers minutes after he privately swore in Gov. Fortuño, who later took the oath of office in a public ceremony that afternoon. On January 15, 2009, he was confirmed unanimously by the Senate of Puerto Rico and with only two votes in opposition in the 53-seat Puerto Rico House of Representatives. Having been confirmed, he was sworn in on January 17, 2009, by Bayamón Superior Court Judge Angel Manuel Candelas in a private ceremony in the neighborhood where McClintock was raised and lived for many years.