The Press Stories
Fudge was under consideration for the post of Secretary of Agriculture, but last week the Biden Change Committee turned their attention to the HUD. People said the announcement could come this weekend.
Given the narrow margin in the House and the uncertainty in the Senate, Biden has been reluctant to elect several Democrats in Congress. But Ohio Democrat Fudge represents a secure seat and was considered the exception.
Fudge did not confirm his choice to CNN on Tuesday evening, saying, “If I am nominated, it would certainly be an honor and a privilege to be asked to be in a presidential cabinet.
“So if I can help this president in any way, I would be happy to do that,” Fudge said. “It’s a great honor and a privilege to be a part of this very good.”
Despite his desire to lead the agricultural sector and the public campaign, Fudge was “delighted” to accept the position, a source familiar with the matter said.
“He is ready to serve,” the source said. For a change, Fudge was seen as a flexible, highly talented utility player. After the test, the question is “Where to put her, what is the best use of skills?”
Under Ohio state law, when a member of the U.S. House of Representatives is vacant, it is up to the governor to order a special election to fill the position. No specific deadlines have been set for when the special election will be held.
Fudge has represented Ohio’s 11th congressional district since 2008. The woman in Congress serves on a number of committees, including House Management, Agriculture and Education and Labor Committees. He previously chaired the Black Caucus in Congress.
He chairs the Election Subcommittee of the House Executive Committee and the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight and Departmental Activities of the Agriculture Committee.
In 2018, Fudge publicly weighed in against Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House, but eventually threw his support behind the re-elected Pelosi. At the time, some Democrats were calling for a change in the democratic leadership. Representative Cedric Richmond, who was the head of the CBC at the time, said he would support Fudge if he decided to challenge Pelosi.
Fudge made history by becoming the first woman and first African American to be elected mayor of Warrensville Heights, Ohio. He served as mayor from 2000 to 2008. He began his career in the Guayaquil County Attorney’s Office.
NAACP President Derrick Johnson told CNN last week that his organization and other civil rights groups had asked for time to discuss incoming administration with Biden and Harris and to ensure minority and civil rights representation on their agenda.
UN envoy candidate Linda Thomas-Greenfield, including a black woman, Biden already has a diverse background in his cabinet; Alejandro Myorgas, the candidate for Secretary of Homeland Security, is a Cuban American man, the first Latin to serve in this position if confirmed in the Senate; Nira Tandon, the first woman of color and the first South Asian person to be nominated to head the Office of Management and Budget; Cecilia Roose, the first woman to be nominated to serve as chair of the Economic Advisory Council, said last week that she would be elevated to a cabinet position; And Xavier Beckera, a candidate for health and human services, will, if confirmed, make the first Latin history to run the department.
Kamala Harris, who was elected vice president, will also make history as the first woman to serve as vice president, the first black person and the first person in the South Asian tradition.
The story has been updated with additional information about Biden’s cabinet.
CNN’s Jasmine Wright, Christine Wilson, Liz Stark, Ethan Cohen and Carolyn Kelly contributed to the report.
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