Governor-elect Walker announces cabinet
Wisconsin News-- Governor-elect Scott Walker will announce his cabinet this afternoon. And although some last-minute shuffling has reportedly gone on, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel says at least a few people are definitely in place.
MADISON - Governor-elect Scott Walker will announce his cabinet this afternoon. And although some last-minute shuffling has reportedly gone on, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel says at least a few people are definitely in place.
They include Assembly Republican Mike Huebsch, the former speaker from the La Crosse area. He’s in line to be Walker’s administration secretary. Former Green Bay Mayor Paul Jadin, who resigned this week as the head of that city’s chamber-of-commerce, will reportedly be the new commerce secretary. National Medicaid consultant Dennis Smith of the Heritage Foundation is the apparent choice as health services secretary.
Other cabinet selections reported by the Journal-Sentinel are former state Senator Cathy Stepp of Racine as the DNR secretary, and Assembly Republican Mark Gottlieb of Port Washington as Transportation secretary. Former state Revenue Secretary Rick Chandler could get that post again. And the paper said Assembly Republican Scott Gunderson of Waterford is in line for a top DNR position – and outgoing Assembly Republicans Brett Davis of Oregon and Kitty Rhoades of Hudson are candidates for top jobs that oversee health programs. Walker has said the lawmakers he chooses for his cabinet would help him maintain strong relationships with both houses. Special elections would be needed to replace those legislators joining the administration.
Governor-elect Walker also announced four members of his top staff today. They bring a wealth of experience in Republican politics. Transition director John Hiller says he’s “thrilled” with the senior-level team that Walker assembled. Eric Schutt was named as the deputy chief-of-staff. He’s been an aide to GOP lawmakers and candidates. Most recently, he was a lobbyist for the United Health Group.
Assistant state attorney general Brian Hagedorn will be Walker’s chief attorney. He has also been a law clerk for the State Supreme Court. Ryan Murray will be the new governor’s director of policy and legislative affairs. He was the policy director for Walker’s campaign, and he has worked for two state senators.
Finally, Chris Schrimpf was named as Walker’s communications director. He held a similar post with the Republican Governors Association. Earlier, Walker said that Keith Gilkes would be his chief-of-staff. And Cullen Werwie will stay on as his chief spokesman, just like he has during the transition. Walker has still not publicly named department secretaries yet. He’ll be sworn in on Monday.
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