Department of Agriculture: Tom Vilsack
Bio: Grew up in Pittsburgh, attended Hamilton College and Albany Law School; married, moved to his wife’s Iowa hometown, practiced law and entered politics. Elected mayor, state senator, and governor; ran for president in 2008; a finalist for vice president in 2016. Served as Obama’s agriculture secretary (2009-2017), and Biden wants that experience.
Department of Housing and Urban Development: Marcia Fudge
Bio: Grew up in Cleveland, attended Ohio State and Marshall College of Law; mayor of a Cleveland suburb (2000-2008), elected to Congress in 2008, chairs Congressional Black Caucus. While there will be a special election to fill her House seat, the district is safely blue.