Thomas James Vilsack born December 13 1950 is an American politician serving as the 32nd United States secretary of agriculture in the Biden administration He previously served in the role from 2009 to 2017 during the Obama administration A member of the Democratic Party he served as the 40th governor of Iowa from 1999 to 2007 During his tenure Iowa experienced a peak in new CAFO construction On November 30 2006 he formally launched his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination in the 2008 election but ended his bid on February 23 2007 Presidentelect Barack Obama announced Vilsacks selection to be Secretary of Agriculture on December 17 2008 His nomination was confirmed by the United States Senate by unanimous consent on January 20 2009 Until his January 13 2017 resignation one week prior to the end of Obamas second term as president he had been the only member of the US Cabinet who had served since the day Obama originally took office On July 19 2016 The Washington Post reported that Vilsack was on Hillary Clintons twoperson shortlist to be her running mate for that years presidential election US Senator Tim Kaine from Virginia was ultimately selected On December 10 2020 Presidentelect Joe Biden announced his intention to nominate Vilsack to once again serve as secretary of agriculture in the incoming Biden administration Vilsack was confirmed by the US Senate on February 23 2021 by a vote of 927 Currently Vilsack is the second longest serving Secretary of Agriculture only being surpassed by fellow Iowan James Tama Jim Wilson
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