The Agriculture seat in Donald Trump’s cabinet will be one of the last top positions filled, but the vacancy is not expected to last much longer. It seemed last week that Trump would choose a Texan for the position. He interviewed former Rep. Henry Bonilla; Elsa Murano, a former USDA under secretary for food safety; and Susan Combs, a former Texas agriculture commissioner. Over the weekend, Hoosier Ag Today learned that Bonilla was the top pick by some in the Trump administration, but strong opposition by many in agriculture was being expressed.
On Monday, a source close to the Trump transition team confirmed for Agri-Pulse that former Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue, 70, who interviewed with Trump on Nov. 30, will likely get the job. Up until Monday, Murano and Bonilla appeared to be the frontrunners for the position. However, Perdue, a former veterinarian, ag business owner, and member of Trump’s Agricultural Advisory Team, seemed to be the only one on the glide path toward the nomination. The new nominee is expected to be announced officially this week.