By Rachael Levy, David Shepardson and Alexandra Ulmer
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Trump’s transition team is considering a former Uber (NYSE: ) executive and three current or former Republican congressmen – one of whom is now a Fox News host – to lead the U.S. Department of Transportation, eight sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
Emil Michael, a Trump donor and tech entrepreneur who knows Elon Musk socially, has emerged as a leading contender, three sources said. Tech executives who support Trump have endorsed former Uber executives, the two sources said.
Other candidates include Sam Graves – a member of the Missouri House of Representatives and chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee – along with Republican Representative Garret Graves, Louisiana, and former Wisconsin Representative Sean Duffy, now a Fox News host, seven sources. said.
Sam Graves said in a statement that he would be honored to be asked to serve as DOT and would consider the position. Spokesman Garret Graves did not comment on the DOT’s outlook but said he has advised the Trump campaign on transportation and infrastructure issues.
Michael declined to comment. Duffy did not respond to requests seeking comment.
Eight sources who spoke to Reuters in some cases gave different accounts of the candidate or candidates most likely to be asked for the position of DOT chief. It is possible that other competitors may emerge.
One source said Elon Musk was a “fan” of Michael, the tech entrepreneur. Michael is an investor in Musk’s rocket company SpaceX, according to Michael’s website.
Reuters could not determine whether Musk had advocated for Michael to head the DOT.
TRANSITION PLAN
Musk, the richest man in the world and one of the biggest supporters of Trump’s campaign, is expected to influence through Pick for the head of the Department of Transportation, among other Trump appointments, Reuters has reported, citing sources close to Trump and Musk’s transition plan.
Musk donated at least $119 million to pro-Trump spending groups, federal records show.
The department, with an annual budget of about $110 billion, oversees regulation of the pipeline, railroad, car, and truck, transit system as well as federal funding for road repairs and other infrastructure projects. It also sets fuel economy standards for cars and trucks and regulates aviation and is responsible for air traffic control through the Federal Aviation Administration, one of its agencies.
The Department of Transportation, which includes the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), regulates automakers including Musk’s Tesla (NASDAQ: Musk said he would work to push for changes in autonomous vehicle regulations to suit Tesla under the Trump administration.
NHTSA is investigating Tesla for accidents, some fatal, involving its “Full Self-Driving” system, which is not autonomous and requires a human driver to pay close attention. The agency is also investigating whether the automaker is recalling more than 2 million vehicles, which it announced last year, to install the new autopilot protection enough after 20 accidents in vehicles that have installed the new software.
Tesla and Musk did not respond to requests for comment.
Trump’s transition spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt declined to comment on the transportation chief candidate, saying the choice would be announced after it is finalized.
Michael left Uber in 2017 following an investigation into workplace culture by former US Attorney General Eric Holder. Uber hired Holder to conduct a wide-ranging investigation into the company’s culture after a former engineer raised sexual harassment complaints at the company.
One of Uber’s founder Travis Kalanick’s closest associates, Michael helps oversee mergers, acquisitions and fundraising. Since leaving Uber, Michael has started an investment firm, has served on the board of startups and advised technology-focused hedge funds such as Coatue Management.
During the Obama administration, Michael served as a member of the White House, working at the Department of Defense as a special assistant to Robert Gates, from 2009 to 2011, and oversaw projects in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan.
