The Hill is reporting that a certain retiring Republican congressman from Illinois may be President-elect Barack Obama's pick for Transportation Secretary:
Rep. Ray LaHood (R-Ill.) is in discussions with the Obama administration to take a Cabinet-level post — most likely secretary of the Department of Transportation, according to knowledgeable GOP sources.
When reached on his cell phone, LaHood said only that Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.), President-elect Obama’s incoming chief of staff, had contacted him last night.
The New York Times is hearing the same thing:
As President-elect Barack Obama works to fill the final positions in his Cabinet, officials familiar with the decision said that a leading contender for Secretary of Transportation is Representative Ray LaHood, who would become a second Republican to join Mr. Obama’s team.
One of the tasks awaiting the transportation secretary is helping to implement the vast public works projects that Mr. Obama has proposed to jumpstart the economy. A member of the Appropriations Committee, Mr. LaHood has experience overseeing - and spending money on - such projects.
More to come.
UPDATE (1:15 PM): The Peoria Journal-Star and the Tribune hear from GOP sources that the president-elect will announce Lahood as his pick on Friday.
