Ray Lahood. Image: Wikipedia

Two news outlets today are reporting that retiring Republican Congressman Ray LaHood of Illinois’ 18th district is being considered for Secretary of Transportation under President Barack Obama.

The New York Times’ Caucus Blog reports:

One of the tasks awaiting the transportation secretary is helping to implement the vast public works projects that Mr. Obama has proposed to jumpstart the economy. A member of the Appropriations Committee, Mr. LaHood has experience overseeing – and spending money on – such projects.

And The Hill adds:

When reached on his cell phone, LaHood said only that Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.), President-elect Obama’s incoming chief of staff, had contacted him last night.

He would not discuss the details of the conversation.

“It’s probably not a good idea to discuss this at this moment,” LaHood said.

But one GOP source said that LaHood was engaged in talks with Emanuel about the Transportation secretary position, and the Obama transition team would like to make an announcement about it on Friday.

So what about cycling and transit?

Representative Hood’s district covers Peoria, Jacksonville, and Springfield, Illinois, not exactly huge metropolitan areas. He is considered a moderate Republican, and is a member of the Congressional Bike Caucus.

LaHood’s votes are an interesting mix, as can be seen at OnTheIssues and OpenCongress. He has voted in favor of higher fuel standards, Amtrak funding, and renewable energy. He has also supported some cycling efforts, including voting in favor of restoring funding for the Transportation Enhancements program in the 2004 Transportation Appropriations bill, and he was a co-sponsor of Rep. Earl Blumenauer’s commuter cycling fringe benefit effort. Lastly, he has been supportive of at least some of the League of Illionois Bicyclists efforts.

However, there is an ongoing discussion in the comments at Streetsblog on this new development as well, most fairly negative.

Overall, we believe he would be an interesting pick, although we’re still for Steve Heminger, among those candidates who seem to still be in the running.

UPDATE: The California High-Speed Rail Blog has some rather negative views of LaHood’s possible appointment, definitely worth reading. Progress Illinois also chimes in, a bit surprised and dismayed.