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Rhode Island governess Gina Raimondo has emerged as one of the top contenders for President-elect Joe Biden’s trade secretary, according to people familiar with the matter.
Why is this important: Raimondo, a Rhodes scholar who co-founded a venture capital firm in Rhode Island earlier in her career, prioritized good relationships with the business community, the target audience for commerce.
- Nonetheless, Raimondo also clashed with unions as she worked to reform Rhode Island’s public employee pension plans.
- She also served as national co-chair of Mike Bloomberg’s presidential campaign, endorsing Biden only after the former New York mayor stepped down.
- A Biden transition official declined to comment.
The big picture: Biden had envisioned a prominent CEO or Republican to lead the Commerce Department.
- Considering Raimondo, he seems to be moving towards a more traditional choice.
- Raimondo, 49, and former president of the Democratic Governor’s Association, is considered a rising star in her party.
The plot: Raimondo was also in the process of becoming secretary of health and human services, a position that was ultimately given to California attorney general Xavier Becerra.
- In early December, she appeared to withdraw from the race, saying at a press conference, “I will not be President-elect Biden’s candidate for HHS secretary.
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