Gina Raimondo, the governor of Rhode Island, has emerged as a leading candidate to become President-elect Joe Biden’s trade secretary, according to people familiar with the matter.
Why it matters: Raimondo, a Rhodes scholar who earlier in her career co-founded a venture capital firm in Rhode Island, has prioritized good relationships with the corporate world, the trade’s target audience.
- Nonetheless, Raimondo has also clashed with unions as she worked to reform Rhode Island’s pension plans.
- She also served as national co-chair for Mike Bloomberg’s presidential campaign, backing Biden only after the former New York mayor retired.
- A transition official for Biden declined to comment.
The big picture: Biden considered a prominent CEO or Republican to head the Commerce Department.
- When considering Raimondo, he seems to be moving towards a more traditional choice.
- Raimondo, 49, and former president of the Democratic Governor’s Association, is seen as a rising star in her party.
The intrigueRaimondo was also considered serving as Secretary of Health and Human Services, a job that eventually went to California Attorney General Xavier Becerra.
- In early December, she seemed to keep herself out of the running by saying at a press conference, “I’m not going to be President-elect Biden’s nominee for HHS Secretary.”