Marcia Fudge nominated to lead HUD by President Joe Biden. Photo: Wikipedia
Marcia Fudge nominated to lead HUD by President Joe Biden. Photo: Wikipedia

Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge is a committed public servant who brings a hard-working, problem-solving spirit to Congress and to the task of creating jobs, protecting safety net programs, and improving access to quality public education, health care, and healthy foods. First elected in 2008, she represents the people of the 11th Congressional District of Ohio.

Marcia Fudge's Early Life, Education, and Early Political Career

Fudge was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on October 29, 1952. A 1971 graduate of Shaker Heights High School, she earned her Bachelor of Science in business from Ohio State University in 1975. In 1983, she earned a Juris Doctor from Cleveland State University Cleveland–Marshall College of Law.

Immediately after college, she worked as a law clerk and studied legal research. She also worked in the Cuyahoga County prosecutor's office as Director of Budget and Finance. Fudge has also worked as an auditor for the county's estate tax department and has occasionally served as a visiting judge and as a chief referee for arbitration.

Fudge was the mayor of Warrensville Heights, Ohio, from January 2000 until November 18, 2008. Her 1999 campaign was her first run for any elected office. She was the town's first female and first African American to hold the mayorship.

Fudge served as chief of staff to U.S. Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones during Jones's first term in Congress. She has also served on the board of trustees for the Cleveland Public Library.

Marcia Fudge's Career

Photo: WKYC
Photo: WKYC

Marcia Fudge (Democratic Party) is a member of the U.S. House, representing Ohio's 11th Congressional District. She assumed office on January 6, 2009. Her current term ends on January 3, 2023, Ballot Pedia cites.

Fudge (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the U.S. House to represent Ohio's 11th Congressional District. She won in the general election on November 3, 2020.

On December 10, 2020, President Joe Biden (D) announced he would nominate Fudge to serve as secretary of housing and urban development in his administration.

Fudge was elected to the House on November 18, 2008, in a special election to replace Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D), who died in office. Fudge replaced Jones in the general election on November 4, 2008, which she also won.

Prior to her election to the U.S. House, Fudge served as the mayor of Warrensville Heights, Ohio.

Based on analysis of multiple outside rankings, Fudge is one of the most reliable Democratic votes, meaning she can be considered a safe vote for the Democratic Party in Congress.

Below is an abbreviated outline of Fudge's academic, professional, and political career:

2009-Present: U.S. Representative from Ohio's 11th Congressional District

2000-2008: Served as mayor of Warrensville Heights, Ohio

1999-2001: Worked as aide to United States Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones

1983: Graduated from Cleveland Marshall College of Law, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio

1975: Graduated from Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio

Committee assignments

U.S. House

2019-2020

Fudge was assigned to the following committees:

Committee on Education and the Workforce

- Subcommittee on Nutrition, Chair

Committee on House Administration

- Subcommittee on Nutrition, Chair

Committee on Agriculture

- Subcommittee on Nutrition, Chair

2017-2018

At the beginning of the 115th Congress, Fudge was assigned to the following committees:

Committee on Agriculture

Committee on Education and the Workforce

2015-2016

Fudge served on the following committees:

Agriculture Committee

- Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture & Research

- Subcommittee on Nutrition

Education and the Workforce Committee

- Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education, Ranking Member

- Subcommittee on Workforce Protections

2013-2014

Fudge served on the following committees:

Committee on Agriculture

- Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight and Nutrition Ranking Member

- Subcommittee on Horticulture, Research, Biotechnology and Foreign Agriculture

Committee on Education and the Workforce

- Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education

- Subcommittee on Workforce Protections

2011-2012

Fudge served on the following committees:

Committee on Agriculture

- Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy and Forestry

Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight and Credit

Committee on Science, Space, and Technology

- Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics

Nomination for secretary of housing and urban development

On December 10, 2020, former Vice President Joe Biden (D) announced he would nominate Fudge to serve as secretary of housing and urban development in his administration.

Biden’s team issued the following statement while nominating Fudge to the role:

Congresswoman Marcia Fudge, a leading voice for working families who has represented Ohio’s 11th Congressional District for the last twelve years, is nominated to serve as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. A former mayor of Warrensville Heights, Ohio, and past Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congresswoman Fudge is a longtime champion of affordable housing, urban revitalization, infrastructure investment, and other reforms to enhance the safety, prosperity, and sustainability of American communities. If confirmed, she will be the first woman to lead HUD in more than 40 years and the second Black woman in history to lead the Department.

Marcia Fudge's Personal Life

Photo: Reverse Mortgage Daily
Fudge Opens Up About HUD Secretary Nomination. Photo: Reverse Mortgage Daily

Fudge is a past president of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, serving from 1996 to 2000, and is a co-chair of the sorority's National Social Action Commission. In 2003, she was a member of the Shaker Heights Alumni Association's Hall of Fame Class.

Fudge has been a member of the Glenville Church of God, and is now a member of Zion Chapel Baptist Church.

In 2015, Fudge wrote a letter asking for leniency in the sentencing of Lance Mason. Fudge described Mason as "kind," and wrote that "Lance [...] has assured me that something like this will never happen again." Mason subsequently attacked and killed his ex-wife, in 2018, stabbing her 59 times. After the attack, Fudge released a statement saying she condemned the crimes committed by Mason. She said her support for Mason in 2015 was based on the person she knew for almost 30 years, writing that "the person who committed these crimes is not the Lance Mason familiar to me."

Two significant nominations by President-elect Joe Biden signal that the presence of Black women in the new administration is expanding in other ground-breaking roles. Cecilia Rouse, a renowned economist, will become the first Black woman to chair the nation’s Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) following Biden's nomination. Ohio’s Rep. Marcia Fudge, a former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, will become the second Black woman in 40 years to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), according to Baystatebanner.

Never before in the nation’s history have three Black women served in these three key posts. Moreover, as Black America seeks more fairness, inclusion and equity with a new White House, these appointees are well-respected and ably qualified to serve in their respective roles.

For more biography of politicians on Biden's cabinet pick, please CLICK HERE!

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