***Update: On Friday afternoon, Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith took her name out of consideration for Secretary of Agriculture: https://americanagnetwork.com/2024/11/senator-hyde-smith-withdraws-name-from-secretary-of-agriculture-consideration/
READ ORIGINAL REPORTING BELOW
(Jackson, MS) — One of the cabinet positions yet to be filled in the new Trump Administration is that of U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.
Several sources close to the Trump transition team have said that Mississippi Republican Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith is a top candidate being considered for the position if she wants it. The two-term Senator from Brookhaven is a cattle farmer, and also the former Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce for the State of Mississippi. Republican Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie is also on the short list. In addition, Mississippi State University President Mark Keenum is reportedly being considered.
Other names we have reported on that have been mentioned for the top job at USDA include the following:
-Former Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agriculture Affairs Ted McKinney
-Kip Tom, formerly U.S. ambassador to the UN Agencies for Food and Agriculture
-Former White House ag advisor Ray Starling
-House Ag Chair Glen “GT” Thompson
-Former House Ag Committee Chair Mike Conaway of Texas
-Texas Ag Commissioner Sid Miller
-Abel Maldonado, former Lieutenant Governor of California and experienced agricultural businessman
-American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall
-Nebraska rancher Charles Herbster
-Gregg Doud, former chief ag negotiator and current President and CEO of National Milk Producers Federation
-Sarah Frey, founder of Frey Farms
