LaHood Named Transportation Secretary

Updated: President-elect Barack Obama has reportedly chosen a Republican congressman to be his transportation secretary.

The job will go to U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood of Illinois, the Chicago Tribune reports.

Vinson & Elkins partner Ronald Kirk had been mentioned as a leading contender for the job. Kirk has also been mentioned as a possible nominee for U.S. Trade Representative, according to the Washington Post and CQ Politics.

Working against Kirk, the Am Law Daily reported, was his work as a lobbyist.

Kirk, a former Dallas mayor and Texas secretary of state, works primarily in public finance and policy at V&E, according to the law firm’s website.

Kirk joined V&E in 2005, jumping from Gardere Wynne, the publication says. His is a graduate of the University of Texas law school.

Updated at 10 a.m. to report that Ray LaHood was chosen as transportation secretary.