Cabinet to get a second Secretary Kerry
Brothers John (left) and Cameron (right) Kerry.
May 13th, 2013
01:52 PM ET
10 years ago

Cabinet to get a second Secretary Kerry

(CNN) - There are about to be two Secretary Kerrys in the Obama administration - and they're brothers.

Cameron Kerry, the general counsel for the Commerce Department, is poised to become acting secretary of commerce when the current acting secretary steps down later this month.

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He is the brother of Secretary of State John Kerry.

Acting Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank made the announcement in a note to staff Monday, writing, "effective June 1, 2013, General Counsel Cameron Kerry has agreed to serve as Acting Secretary of Commerce. ...

"I have every confidence that they will provide effective and strong leadership for the Department for as long as they serve," she wrote in the note, which also named an acting deputy secretary.

It is uncertain for how long there would be two Kerrys in the Cabinet, as President Barack Obama earlier this month nominated Penny Pritzker to lead the Commerce Department.

One of the Kerrys' sisters, Peggy, works for the U.S. Mission to the United Nations.

News of the acting commerce secretary announcement was first reported by the Washington Post.


Filed under: John Kerry
soundoff (6 Responses)
  1. Larry in Houston

    it's about all he can do now – – – name a few posts – have a few more meetings, with more big wigs – – do a little more travelling to a few other countries – – – then it's "Lame Duck" time.

    May 13, 2013 02:33 pm at 2:33 pm |
  2. RIchard Long

    Nepotism at it's finest...

    May 13, 2013 02:35 pm at 2:35 pm |
  3. Name Uche Agonsi

    This sounds like over-stuffing ones stomach with cassava foofoo ( a Nigerian delicacy) because, maybe, the bitter leaf soup (another Nigerian menu) for eating it is very tasty. Why doesn't Obama go to elder first lady Barbara Bush for lessons on diversifing the 'relationship texture ' of his appointees..........I think America deserves a broader mix of personnel in high level appointments......it creates more challenges & more excitements.

    May 13, 2013 02:59 pm at 2:59 pm |
  4. Lionel

    They look like fine men. Now only if Congress can get to work instead of wasting our time and money on Benghazi.

    May 13, 2013 03:02 pm at 3:02 pm |
  5. Geordie

    Lionel , if you truly speak for the majority , then the nation deserves the incompetence at such high levels of government.
    Are you implying that dishonest and negligent actions by officials in charge should not be investigated and accordingly dealt with , well then you are no better than a banana republic.

    May 13, 2013 03:48 pm at 3:48 pm |
  6. Sniffit

    "Nepotism at it's finest..."

    Yawn. Grow up.

    May 13, 2013 03:57 pm at 3:57 pm |