Ray LaHood stepping down as U.S. transportation secretary

[IDemo]

Source: Washington Post

Ray LaHood, the Illinois Republican who turned distracted driving into a national crusade while serving a Democratic president, will step down after four years as President Obama’s transportation secretary.

LaHood is the only Republican in the Cabinet, a mantle that will be carried by former senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska if he wins Senate confirmation as secretary of defense.

LaHood’s relentless campaign against distracted driving, his safety-first mantra and his determination to visit every state in the union gave the Peoria native a higher profile than several predecessors in the role, traditionally played out in the shadow of more glamorous Cabinet jobs.

LaHood made the announcement in a statement Tuesday: “I have let President Obama know that I will not serve a second term as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation. It has been an honor and a privilege to lead the Department, and I am grateful to President Obama for giving me such an extraordinary opportunity. I plan to stay on until my successor is confirmed to ensure a smooth transition for the Department and all the important work we still have to do.”

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/ray-lahood-stepping-down-at-us-transportation-secretary/2013/01/29/13b46a14-6a25-11e2-af53-7b2b2a7510a8_story.html

[Cha]

1. Thanks for the report, IDemo

LaHood seems like he's been good for the DOT.. wonder who will be next?

[madrchsod]

2. one of the last republicans that put the country before party

to me his crowning achievement was taking away the rail funds from those governors who rejected building new passenger rail lines and giving those funds to the states that wanted them.

thanks to walker, llinois now has wisconsin`s rail money.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

3. I work at HUD and we worked closely with Transportation on sustainability issues

over the past four years. Ray LaHood is an outstanding Secretary. He will be missed.


One more thing: LaHood exposed Republicans who voted against the stimulus but privately begged him for stimulus funds for their highway, railroad, and other transporation projects. He is a stand-up guy. A good Republican.