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Reports: Obama to name Republican LaHood to Cabinet

Posted by Jason Tuohey December 17, 2008 06:00 PM

On the campaign trail, Barack Obama pledged to form a non-partisan administration and even select a Republican or two for his Cabinet. Now, the president-elect apparently plans to make good on his promise.

Obama plans to select Representative Ray LaHood, an Illinois Republican, as his secretary of transportation, several outlets are reporting.

LaHood has served in the House of Representatives since 1994, and sits on the House Appropriations Committee. He represents the 18th district of Illinois, which covers the central-west area of Illinoia, and is the region Abraham Lincoln represented during his term in Congress.

The expected selection of LaHood marks the first Republican Obama has picked for his Cabinet. Obama also plans to keep current Defense Secretary Robert Gates in the same postion, but Gates, while having worked for Republican administrations, is a registered independent.

UPDATE: Obama tomorrow will formally announce LaHood, as his nominee for secretary of transportation, according to a Democratic official with knowledge of the plans. LaHood, perhaps best known for presiding over the impeachment of former president Bill Clinton, is retiring from Congress this year after serving seven terms.

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