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WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., is being considered for the job as Energy Secretary within President-elect Donald Trump’s new administration, according to published reports from Politico.
Manchin would be the second Democrat that Trump is reportedly considering for a Cabinet post. The Trump team formally announced Thursday that Sen. Heidi Heitkamp from oil giant North Dakota was expected to visit Trump in New York Friday. Heitkemp has been vocal opponent of President Obama’s climate rules and favors the development of clean coal.
Manchin on Thursday said, that although he has not been contacted by Trump, he would consider the appointment.
Manchin told the Washinton Examiner, “If I can do anything to help my state of West Virginia, and my country, I will talk to anybody about ways to do that.”
During a recent speech on the Senate floor, Manchin said, “I truly believe if we work together and focus on a commonsense approach ... we can develop a strong bipartisan energy plan that will not only break the power of foreign oil countries and speculators, but will chart a new and promising energy future for this great nation.”
Sources close to Trump said an announcement could come next week on the president-elect’s picks for the Energy Department and the Environmental Protection Agency
Manchin is up for re-election in 2018.