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Cardona, currently the education commissioner for the state of
Connecticut and a former teacher, would be another Latino
addition to Biden's top team, after advocacy groups urged the
former vice president to appoint Hispanic Americans to senior
roles.
If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Cardona would be charged with
helping the administration get students and teachers back in the
classroom after the COVID-19 pandemic forced at-home instruction
in districts across the country.
Biden has already nominated Alejandro Majorkas as secretary of
Homeland Security and Xavier Becerra to head the Department of
Health and Human Services, both Latinos.
During the presidential campaign, Biden pledged to dramatically
increase federal funding for schools and provide universal
access to pre-kindergarten programs for 3 and 4-year-olds. He
takes office on Jan. 20.
Biden has not chosen an attorney general, the most prominent
slot he has yet to fill. Speaking with reporters on Tuesday, he
said he has not settled upon a candidate, in part, because he
wants to ensure he lives up to his pledge to appoint a diverse
cabinet.
“So, we’re just working through it,” he said. “There’s not an
obvious choice in my mind.”
Biden’s search for an attorney general has been complicated by a
federal probe into the business affairs of Biden’s son, Hunter
Biden. The elder Biden has vowed not to interfere in the
investigation or discuss it with his nominee.
Some Republicans have called for the appointment of a special
counsel to handle the matter.
(Reporting by Simon Lewis; Writing by James Oliphant; Editing by
Stephen Coates)
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