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Published November 21, 2008 by Politico. 
Rep. Raul M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) may be emerging as a top contender to be Barack Obama’s secretary of the interior, according to sources close to the transition.
The Interior Department—which oversees federal lands, national parks and endangered species—has traditionally been headed by a Westerner.
Grijalva recently lambasted the administration for poor treatment of national parks and opposed President George W. Bush’s recent decision to allow coal mining in Arizona. The congressman also has introduced several pieces of legislation to restore and protect federal lands. And he’s supported global warming legislation and funding for renewable energy.
The Interior Department is expected to play a leading role in greenhouse gas regulation next year, an issue that some environmental groups say he could be instrumental in advancing.
An Obama supporter, Grijalva recently worked with New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and other Democrats to turn out the Hispanic vote in key Western states.
Grijalva is chairman of the House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands—and was just tapped as the new co-chairman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.
His spokeswoman had no comment on the possible Cabinet post.
© 2008 Capitol News Company, LLC
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