President-Elect Joe Biden promised that he would establish “the single-most diverse cabinet…that’s ever existed in the United States of America.” On Dec. 8, 2020, he nominated Rep. Marcia Fudge of Ohio’s 11th district to lead the Housing & Urban Development Department. If confirmed by the Senate, Ms. Fudge would be the second Black female to run the department.

Although Rep. Fudge feels that “it is a great honor and a privilege to be a part of something so good,” many of her allies, including Rep. James E. Clyburn, believe that Biden should have appointed her as Secretary of Agriculture based on her prior service in that realm.

Tom Vilsack was selected for the role instead, due to his eight years of experience in leading the department under President Barack Obama. His critics argued that “Vilsack has made a career of catering to the whims of corporate agriculture giants…,” and Fudge’s nomination would have tackled food insecurity, and the agency’s historic abuse of minority farmers. They also highlighted how Fudge would have diversified a department led mostly by white males.

Rep. Fudge has worked on numerous committees relating to both agriculture and community development. She was a ranking member on the House Committee on Agriculture’s Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry, and on the Subcommittee on Nutrition. She also currently serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Education and Labor. 

Her individual service within the agricultural sector is extensive. During congressional negotiations regarding the 2014 & 2018 Farms Bills, Fudge advocated for disadvantaged farmers and called for the expansion of access to nutritious food in underserved locations. To do so, she promoted initiatives to improve soil health and water quality and expand sustainable farming practices. Fudge supports investing in 1890 Land Grant Universities, which expands opportunities for students of color and first-generation college students, and also promotes agricultural research. To further this investment strategy, Fudge assisted in starting the Cleveland Seasonal High Tunnel Program in 2011, which assists local residents in growing environmentally-friendly fresh food, thus improving access to healthy, locally-grown produce. As a result, there are currently more than 100 Seasonal High Tunnels in her district.

Despite her unique focus on agriculture throughout her public service career, not singularly housing and urban development, she believes that she will be able to “do so much of the same things at HUD.” Additionally, the Congressional Black Caucus is confident that she will bring the same determination she brought when defending hungry families to address the eviction and housing insecurity in our country. In total, she has introduced and sponsored 43 bills associated with Housing and Community Development. Fudge has vocalized that she wholly understands and accepts that the President-Elect has an agenda, and that he intends to stick to it. She is ready and focused to follow his plans for the country. Ultimately, Rep. Marcia Fudge believes that Vilsack will be “willing” to hear out some of her ideas for Agriculture, and, she is “elated” to be nominated to lead HUD.