© 2024 Blaze Media LLC. All rights reserved.
Another White House Exit: Transportation Sec. Lahood Out

Another White House Exit: Transportation Sec. Lahood Out

"Best job I've ever had in public service."

Ray LaHood listens during a news conference… (Brendan Hoffman/Getty)

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, the only Republican still in President Barack Obama's first-term Cabinet, said Tuesday he plans to leave the Obama administration.

LaHood, a former congressman from Illinois, led the Transportation Department throughout Obama's first term and helped steer a number of safety initiatives and highway projects, including steps to curb distracted driving, promote high-speed rail and repair roads, and bridges. Under his watch, the department demanded more stringent fuel efficiency requirements for automakers and took steps to address airline pilot fatigue.

LaHood said in an interview with The Associated Press that he told Obama a week after the November election that he needed to move on but said he was still "conflicted" by his decision because he liked working for Obama and considered it the "best job I've ever had in public service."

He said he plans to remain at the department until his successor is confirmed by the Senate, which he expected in about two months. The only other Republican who was in Obama's first-term Cabinet was Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who stepped aside and was replaced by Democrat Leon Panetta earlier.

LaHood said he would not run for public office in his home state of Illinois and said he did not have any specific plans.

"I have had a good run. I'm one of these people who believe that you should go out while they're applauding," he said. LaHood said he was content to watch from the sidelines as his oldest son, Darin, serves in the Illinois state senate.

Ray LaHood. (Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images)

President Obama is remaking his Cabinet at the beginning of his second term with the departures of Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Labor Secretary Hilda L. SolisEPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson, Panetta, and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner.

Possible replacements for LaHood include Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who has pushed for increased rail service in Los Angeles and served as chairman of last year's Democratic National Convention, and Debbie Hersman, the chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board. The name of former Rep. Jim Oberstar of Minnesota, who led the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, has also been mentioned.

Follow Becket Adams (@BecketAdams) on Twitter

The AP contributed to this report.

Want to leave a tip?

We answer to you. Help keep our content free of advertisers and big tech censorship by leaving a tip today.
Want to join the conversation?
Already a subscriber?