Hispanic caucus suggests Hinojosa for Cabinet position
McALLEN — Hispanic leaders in Congress are pushing to get U.S. Rep. Rubén Hinojosa named as education secretary.
In a letter the Congressional Hispanic Caucus sent Tuesday to President-elect Barack Obama's transition team, the 20-member caucus recommended several of its own for positions in the new administration
Although Hinojosa, D-Mercedes, chairs the House's higher education subcommittee, his name has been absent from Washington speculation over possible nominees for the post.
Considered more likely are Stanford University education professor Linda Darling-Hammond - Obama's chief adviser on education - New York City schools chief Joel Klein and Chicago schools Superintendent Arne Duncan.
The Washington Post mentioned University of Texas-Pan American President Blandina Cárdenas' name in November as another possible nominee for the position.
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus did not release the entire text of its letter, but leaked excerpts appeared on MSNBC's Web site and in the Washington, D.C., newspaper The Hill.
"We understand that the incoming administration will have a vast pool of talent from which to choose," members wrote. "The individuals we have endorsed constitute the best talent while reflecting the diversity that is so valued by President-elect Obama."
Caucus members also suggested Janet Murguia, the president of the National Council of La Raza, as another potential education secretary. The group also proposed Rick Noriega - who lost his bid last month to unseat U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas - for leadership of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Hinojosa was a dedicated supporter of U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., as she sought the Democratic nomination for president, but said in October that he wholeheartedly endorsed Obama as the party's chosen nominee.
The president-elect has already named his picks for the most high-profile positions for foreign, health and economic policy, and Wednesday announced his first Hispanic nominee, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, to head the Commerce Department.
Also still unfilled are the top positions at the departments of Transportation, Labor, Energy, Housing and Urban Development, Agriculture and Veterans Affairs. Speculation on all of the major picks is fierce in the waning days leading up to Obama's Jan. 20 inauguration.
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Sara Perkins covers Mission, western Hidalgo County, Starr County and general assignments for The Monitor. You can reach her at (956) 683-4472.
