An array of farm, animal welfare, climate change, and environmental groups urged President-elect Joe Biden to select Ohio Rep. Marcia Fudge for agriculture secretary. “She has long been an ally to farmers, food-chain workers, consumers, and rural communities,” said the groups in a letter.
“The next secretary of agriculture will take over the department at a time of unprecedented challenges for our farming and food system. Congresswoman Fudge is up to the challenge. We wholeheartedly endorse her,” said the letter. Nine of the groups supporting Fudge were among the “core signatories” on Tuesday to a letter opposing former North Dakota Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, the most frequently mentioned potential nominee.
Also mentioned for the cabinet position have been Kathleen Merrigan, a former deputy agriculture secretary; California state agriculture secretary Karen Ross; Pennsylvania state agriculture secretary Russell Redding; Robert Bonnie, the head of the Biden transition team reviewing the USDA; and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar.