WASHINGTON — The Senate has unanimously confirmed Anthony Foxx, the mayor of Charlotte, N.C., and a political ally of President Barack Obama, as transportation secretary.
Foxx, 42, was approved Thursday by a 100-0 vote. He replaces outgoing secretary Ray LaHood, who campaigned against distracted driving and led the Obama administration's efforts to boost the economy by improving the nation's infrastructure and jump-starting high-speed trains.
As secretary, Foxx will oversee the agencies within the department that regulate the nation's aviation, rail, transit and highway systems, as well as auto safety.
The mayor won national recognition when Charlotte hosted the Democratic National Convention last year. He calls Obama a friend and was a key surrogate in North Carolina for the president during his re-election bid last fall.
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