Although many had wagered that President Barack Obama would tap outgoing Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa as secretary of transportation, he instead made a surprise selection of another big city mayor for the position — Anthony Foxx of Charlotte, N.C.
While supporters of Villaraigosa had hoped the Cabinet slot would give him exposure to be on a national Democratic ticket in 2016, friends of Foxx have a more modest goal for the new Cabinet official.
In 2016, when the second Obama administration ends, Secretary Foxx could come home and challenge Republican Sen. Richard Burr for re-election.
With Republicans holding the governorship, lieutenant governorship, and majorities in both houses of the state legislature, Foxx is considered by far the hottest Democratic property in the Tar Heel State.
John Gizzi is special columnist for Newsmax.com.
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