As President Donald Trump finalizes his cabinet picks ahead of his upcoming inauguration, several Texans have been selected for significant roles, further solidifying the state’s influence within his administration.
Former Texas State Representative Scott Turner has been nominated to serve as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Turner, a former professional football player, represented Texas in the state House for two terms, beginning in 2013. In 2015, he made a bold move by challenging then-Speaker Joe Straus, securing support from 19 fellow lawmakers.
Turner previously held a position in the Trump administration as the executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council.
Another Texan appointed to a prominent position is Brooke Rollins, who has been nominated for Secretary of Agriculture. Rollins, a Texas A&M graduate with a degree in agricultural development, is the former president of the Texas Public Policy Foundation. She also led the Domestic Policy Council during Trump’s first term.
Earlier this month, former U.S. Representative John Ratcliffe, from the Dallas area, was named the next Director of the CIA. Additionally, Tulsi Gabbard, the former congresswoman from Hawaii who recently relocated to Texas, has been tapped to serve as the Director of National Intelligence.
These nominations highlight the growing presence of Texans in President Trump’s administration.