Obama to Name Transportation Chief - NBC New York

Obama to Name Transportation Chief



    Obama to Name Transportation Chief
    Republican Ray LaHood, who represents the 18th district of Illinois, is heading to Obama's cabinet.

    A senior Democratic official says President-elect Barack Obama has chosen Republican Congressman Ray LaHood of Illinois to be his transportation secretary.

    The 63-year-old LaHood did not seek re-election this fall after 14 years in the House representing a district that includes Peoria.

    He is the second Republican that Obama has named to his Cabinet.

    House colleagues respected LaHood for his grasp of issues and parliamentary details, but he sometimes angered Republican leaders by refusing to follow the party line. He was best known as a House appropriator, and has less experience in transportation issues than do some other contenders Obama reportedly considered.