Familiar Names Mentioned as Next Secretary of Agriculture
LUBBOCK, TX – Democratic candidate Joe Biden is officially closing in as the next President of the United States and agricultural leaders are examining potential candidates to replace Sonny Perdue as the next Secretary of Agriculture. Though Perdue wasn’t originally considered a “front-runner” for the position, his nomination by President Trump is a reminder that the first name tossed around as a potential replacement is rarely the final selection. The next Secretary of the massive Department of Agriculture (USDA) could be former Senator Heidi Heitkamp (ND) – the first name to emerge as a possible successor. Since then, Representatives Marcia Fudge (OH), and Collin Peterson (MN) the Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee who was lost in his reelection bid, have surfaced. Another interesting name that has emerged is that of the second-longest serving Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack – who led USDA for eight years during the Obama administration. Insiders, however, are pointing to Fudge who has publicly received a nomination by South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn. Clyburn is credited with leading the charge to elect Biden when the former Vice President was falling in the polls and losing Democratic support. Fudge has been an outspoken critic of the Department and a Champion for expanding nutritional services.
(SOURCE: All Ag News)