Skip to Content
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Log In
DC Streetsblog

What Does It Mean That LaHood Isn’t on the Second-Term List? Nothing.

false

A White House official yesterday named three Cabinet members who are staying on for Obama's second term and set off a storm of speculation about those he didn't name -- among them, Ray LaHood.

The fact is no one knows yet whether the transportation secretary will stay on for the second term or not, or for a part of it, as he has indicated. More than a year ago, LaHood told an LA Times reporter he wouldn't stay past 2012, but rumor has it he hadn't meant to make any definitive statements and has since backpedaled.

And now, even as the media spin headlines out of the fact that LaHood was left off an admittedly unofficial and not comprehensive list of returning Cabinet members, sources inside U.S. DOT say there's no news. The last we heard -- last month -- LaHood was still waiting for the end of the fiscal cliff negotiations to sit down with President Obama and figure out whether he'd be staying on.

It's a sign that transportation officials -- and the media -- are so anxious to know LaHood's fate that many jumped to conclusions when the White House official didn't include him in the list of remaining Cabinet members. But there's still no news.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog Los Angeles

Give Input on Metro Sepulveda Rail Plan to connect Valley and Westside

Metro is still deciding between some low-performing monorail alternatives and some high-performing heavy rail alternatives. What do you want to see?

July 10, 2025

Whittier Councilmember Fernando Dutra Is New Metro Board Chair

Board Chair Dutra: "[Metro is] not just a train and a bus company. We also manage projects on the freeways... Our projects along the 5, the 605, 91, and 105 Freeway are very very important... I'll be focusing on making sure we keep our freeways moving freely."

July 9, 2025

Covina Residents Call on City for Protections from Immigration Raids

Community members took to city council to share their frustrations and demands.

July 8, 2025
See all posts