In The News

Rep. Ray LaHood Is Obama choice for DOT Secretary

Illinois Republican Rep. Ray LaHood is likely to be nominated to be the next Transportation Secretary by President-elect Barack Obama, Bloomberg reported Wednesday.

LaHood’s district includes the Peoria, Ill., headquarters of Caterpillar Inc., which recently made a decision to exit the heavy-duty truck engine market by 2010.

The pending appointment is also being reported on the Web sites of several Illinois newspapers, including the Chicago Tribune.

LaHood, 63, has known Obama for more than a decade and is close to Rahm Emanuel, the Illinois congressman who will be the new White House chief of staff, Bloomberg reported.

The congressman, who did not seek re-election last month, has been known for his willingness to criticize his own party and to work with Democrats, Bloomberg said.

He was in Congress for seven terms, winning in 2006 with 67% of the vote. He announced in July that he would seek another term, Bloomberg reported.

The official announcement could come by Friday, one source who spoke on spoke condition of anonymity told Bloomberg.

Obama has filled all of his cabinet positions with the exception of Transportation and Labor.