Biden to Name Raimondo U.S. Commerce Secretary, Reports NYT

Biden to Name Raimondo U.S. Commerce Secretary, Reports NYT

The announcement of Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo to U.S. Commerce Secretary by President-Elect Joseph Biden is imminent, reports the New York Times.

After Axios this week called Raimondo the front runner, the NYT Thursday afternoon called the decision all but made. 

“President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. is expected to announce Gina M. Raimondo, the governor of Rhode Island, as his commerce secretary, a key economic position given the agency’s critical role in everything from technology policy to climate change to promoting American industry, according to a person familiar with the decision,” reported the NYT. 

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

“Ms. Raimondo, a moderate Democrat with a background in the financial industry, has served as governor since 2015. She is seen as a relatively traditional choice for commerce secretary, a post that oversees relations with the business community but also technology regulation, weather monitoring and the gathering of economic data, among other duties,” the NYT continued. 

“Mr. Biden had been considering several high-profile chief executives for the position, as well as the possibility of appointing a Republican. In choosing Ms. Raimondo, the Biden team instead opted for a rising star in the Democratic Party with experience in both government and finance,” they added.

Raimondo, who has been under quarantine all week after being exposed to someone with coronavirus, is expected to be at her weekly press conference on Friday at 1 PM.