Joe Biden

Biden Picks Rep. Marcia Fudge for HUD Secretary, Vilsack to Lead Agriculture

Biden has been rolling out top members of his administration as he prepares to take office

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President-elect Joe Biden tapped Rep. Marcia Fudge to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development, two sources familiar with the decision told NBC News on Tuesday.

In addition, a transition official confirmed to NBC News that Biden has picked former Iowa Gov Tom Vilsack to serve as Agriculture secretary. He also served as Agriculture secretary under former President Obama. 

If confirmed, Fudge, 68, would be the first Black woman to lead the department in decades. Patricia R. Harris, under President Jimmy Carter, was the first.

Fudge, who has been an advocate for fair labor practices, and civil and human rights, had long been a top contender for the position.

CORRECTION - An earlier version of this article incorrectly described Fudge’s nomination as precedent-setting. Fudge would not be the first Black woman to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development; the first was Patricia R. Harris under President Jimmy Carter. 

Read the full story on NBCNews.com

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