New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan GrishamMichelle Lynn Lujan GrishamLujan Grisham turned down Interior post, says transition source Rhode Island governor reportedly a finalist to be Biden’s Health secretary Overnight Health Care: Moderna to apply for emergency use authorization for COVID-19 vaccine candidate | Hospitals brace for COVID-19 surge | US more than doubles highest number of monthly COVID-19 cases MORE (D) turned down an offer to serve in President-elect Joe BidenJoe BidenLawsuit alleges 200K Georgia voters were wrongly purged from registration list GOP lawmaker blasts incoming freshman over allegations of presidential voter fraud Haaland has competition to be first Native American to lead Interior MORE’s Cabinet as Interior secretary, a source close to the transition told The Hill.
Lujan Grisham is believed to be interested in a position as Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary in a Biden administration given her work on health care, and CNN reported Wednesday afternoon that she was the lead contender for that position.
But the source who spoke to The Hill said transition sources don’t know where “the HHS claims are coming from.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Lujan Grisham’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Lujan Grisham is one of the brightest Latino political stars in the country, and Hispanic groups have been pressing for Biden to select Latinos for prominent roles in his administration.
But if she was offered and turned down one Cabinet post, it could mean that other contenders are more likely to be in line for the HHS position.
Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo (D) is also reportedly a contender for the post, as is former Surgeon General Vivek MurthyVivek Hallegere MurthyLujan Grisham turned down Interior post, says transition source Rhode Island governor reportedly a finalist to be Biden’s Health secretary Overnight Health Care: Moderna to apply for emergency use authorization for COVID-19 vaccine candidate | Hospitals brace for COVID-19 surge | US more than doubles highest number of monthly COVID-19 cases MORE.
That Lujan Grisham was offered the Interior post could also raise eyebrows given that other politicians from her state are interested in that position.
Other New Mexican officials who have been seen as top contenders for the Interior role include Rep. Deb HaalandDebra HaalandHaaland has competition to be first Native American to lead Interior Lujan Grisham turned down Interior post, says transition source Former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun stumps for Interior post: ‘A natural fit for me’ MORE (D-N.M.), who would be the first Native American to lead the department, which has a heavy influence on tribal issues.
Both of New Mexico’s senators have also been floated as possible Interior contenders.