Washington (CNN) - Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said Thursday he is staying in his post only through President Obama's first term, and will not run for public office.
LaHood, 65, the sole Republican in President Obama's cabinet, spoke to the Chicago Tribune on Thursday after a National Press Club event at which he urged passage of the President's jobs bill. LaHood told the paper he would not run for public office again, specifically ruling out a run for governor of Illinois. He previously served for 14 years as a member of Congress from the state.
He said he expects there will be some "wonderful opportunities" for him in the private sector when he leaves government.
Transportation Department officials confirmed the account and issued a statement from LaHood.
"I serve at the pleasure of the President and it is an honor to look out for the safety of the American public when it comes to planes, trains, automobiles and more," LaHood said. "Throughout this term, we have also focused our efforts on creating jobs as we rebuild our roads, rails and runways and I look forward to working with Congress to pass the American Jobs Act so we can put Americans back to work."
Wow, this is amazing! An actual Republican who supports the President's jobs plan.
Another NObama butt kisser gone! Yeah!!! Allah is good! Good riddance; or can they foresee the future and are just jumping before the NObamaship sinks?
If LaHood leaves that would leave only 200+ people from chicago as the only hoods left in obama's inner circle.
Thank God!!!!! I work in transportation, and this guy is a complete idiot!
LaHood made right decision for only one time term.
Run and hide fool. you can't distance yourself from this administration, you are as big a loser as the rest of them.
Drilling is real job not maintaining