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WASHINGTON An independent federal investigative agency found Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge violated the Hatch Act earlier this year for weighing in on Ohio s 2022 Senate race, Politico reported Thursday.
During a March 18 White House press briefing, Fudge deflected a question on who should succeed her in the open congressional seat in Ohio s 11th District. But she offered her opinion on possible candidates to replace retiring Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio. I have two friends that are thinking about it, Fudge said, according to a March report in The Washington Post. “Tim Ryan of course is thinking about. I understand Nan Whaley is thinking about it. I mean, I think we’re going to put a good person in that race no matter who we choose, but they’re both friends. I think we have a good shot at it. I know people have written off Ohio. I haven’t written off Ohio. I believe we can win the Senate race.”
Fudge’s violation appears to be the first for the Biden administration, according to Politico.
Americans for Public Trust, a conservative watchdog group, filed a complaint over her comments, asking the Office of Special Counsel to investigate.
The day after Fudge weighed in on the Senate race, she issued a statement acknowledging she shouldn’t have answered the question. I take these things seriously and I want to assure the American people that I am focused on meeting the needs of our country, she said, according to Politico.
Ana Galindo-Marrone, chief of OSC’s Hatch Act unit, said in a letter to Americans for Public Trust the agency had issued a warning to Fudge and counseled her about the violation and had closed the matter since she showed remorse her statement saying she shouldn’t have weighed in, Politico reported.
Utah lawmakers are worried about rising inflation, especially with $1.5 billion in federal COVID relief money set to come into the state. Legislative leaders want to wait to spend most of that cash so they don't overheat the economy.
HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge dines with 11th Congressional District candidate, Cleveland mayoral candidate and others
Photo posted on Facebook under headline ‘Good Fellas’ shows a man convicted in the Cuyahoga corruption scandal also at the table. Author: Mark Naymik (WKYC) Updated: 6:32 PM EDT May 14, 2021
CLEVELAND
EDITOR S NOTE: The video in the player above is from a previous story.
She can’t say so publicly, but U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge has a strong interest in who fills the 11th Congressional seat she vacated to join President Joe Biden’s cabinet.
The Warrensville Heights Democrat has long played an active role in politics in Cuyahoga County and the district, where she’s been involved in intra-party battles for judgeships, endorsements and party leadership. She relied on her local political acumen and network to get to congress in 2008, following in the footsteps of two black icons: Louis Stoke
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