Biden selects Gina Raimondo for Commerce chief: reports

President-elect Joe BidenJoe BidenKaty Perry and her ‘Firework’ close out inauguration TV special Arizona Republican’s brothers say he is ‘at least partially to blame’ for Capitol violence Tom Hanks: After years of ‘troubling rancor,’ Inauguration Day ‘is about witnessing the permanence of our American ideal’ MORE has tapped Rhode Island Gov. Gina RaimondoGina RaimondoWhat Biden’s Cabinet picks mean for the hardest-hit US industry Record number of women to serve in Biden Cabinet Biden introduces Commerce, Labor, Small Business Administration nominees MORE to serve as his Commerce secretary, multiple outlets reported Thursday.

Raimondo, 49, has served as Rhode Island governor since 2015 and before that was the general treasurer of the state. She is the first woman to be governor of the state.

Her background is in venture capital before public service. She previously co-founded venture capital firm Point Judith Capital in Rhode Island and before that worked as senior vice president for venture capital firm Village Ventures.

The next Commerce secretary will be tasked with managing trade policy following the Trump administration’s reliance on tariffs and the U.S. relationship with China and institutions like the World Trade Organization. 

If confirmed, Raimondo would inherit an agency that was headed by current Commerce Secretary Wilbur RossWilbur Louis RossOn The Money: Retail sales drop in latest sign of weakening economy | Fast-food workers strike for minimum wage | US officials raise concerns over Mexico’s handling of energy permits US officials raise concerns over Mexico’s handling of energy permits Census Bureau racing to complete noncitizen data, watchdog says MORE. Ross stirred some controversy after he attempted to add a citizenship question to the Census and suggested at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic that it would actually be good for U.S. economic growth. 

Raimondo was national co-chair for former New York City Mayor Michael BloombergMichael BloombergBiden selects Gina Raimondo for Commerce chief: reports 7 surprise moments from a tumultuous year in politics NFL, politics dominate 2020 ratings MORE’s presidential bid and endorsed Biden once Bloomberg dropped out of the primary. 

“I am thrilled actually that the vice president had such a great day yesterday. As far as I am concerned, we have to get behind Joe Biden and make sure he is the next president. That is what I plan on doing,” she said at the time. 

Raimondo’s name was floated to lead the Health and Human Services Department, but Biden announced he would nominate California Attorney General Xavier BecerraXavier BecerraOVERNIGHT ENERGY: Court strikes down Trump coal power plant rule | Green groups sue after Trump administration strips bird protections | Trump administration rushes to wrap Arctic oil leases on last day in office 15 states sue EPA over decision not to tighten pollution standard for smog 13 states sue EPA over rule allowing some polluters to follow weaker emissions standards MORE for the role in December. 

Two notable businesswomen, Meg Whitman and Mellody Hobson, were also floated as possible nominees, with some suggesting Biden could choose a Republican for the role.

The Hill has reached out to the Biden transition team for confirmation.

Updated 3:10 p.m.