Skip to Content
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Log In
President Obama

Obama Picks Republican Illinois Congressman to Lead USDOT

lahood.jpgPhoto: Wikipedia

(Aaron Naperstek over at NYC Streetsblog carries the news that it's official: Little known Congressman Ray LaHood will be the next Secretary of Transportation.  The post below lists some of the discussion surrounding LaHood from earlier today)

The Hill
is reporting that Illinois Representative Ray LaHood, described as a
centrist Republican, is in talks with the Obama team about taking a
Cabinet post, most likely as Secretary of Transportation. The official
announcement could be made as early as Friday.

If LaHood is chosen, it would come as something of a surprise, as his name has so far escaped widely circulated short lists
for the position. His district includes Peoria and Springfield, and he
did not seek re-election this year. His recent voting record indicates a willingness to buck the party line on transportation measures: This year he supported the Saving Energy Through Public Transportation Act and the Passenger Rail Investment Act. We'll have more on this potential selection as the story develops.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog Los Angeles

Why Cities Need More “Agile” Streets

When projects are routed through a full capital-improvement workflow, solutions tend toward expensive, permanent interventions - not alternatives that might achieve 80 percent of the benefit at 10 percent of the cost

March 25, 2026

Wednesday’s Headlines

ICE, speed cameras, Ohio Avenue, North Metro K Line extension, SB79, streetlight repair, DIY, Olympics, car-nage, L.A. River path gate, and more

March 25, 2026

Monrovia Seeks Input on Draft Bike Master Plan

The deadline for public comment is this Friday, March 27 2026

March 24, 2026

This Week In Livable Streets

Metro board K Line showdown, L.A. mayoral debate, westside bus lanes, L.A. City Council Transportation Committee, SB 79, and more

March 23, 2026
See all posts