USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said he has not made plans after his current term as Secretary expires, even if a Democrat wins the White House in November.
“I don’t have any particular plans at this point. I am going to focus on the job I got. It is a great job and I love it,” he said in response to a Farm Futures question at a press conference at the annual USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum.
Ag Forum: Vilsack opens what may be his final forum
The longest serving agriculture secretary went 16 years, he said. “I don’t think there is any chance of making that record.”
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack speaks at the 2016 Agricultural Outlook Forum. (Photo by Bob Burgdorfer)
“I think somebody deserves the opportunity to have the same incredible experience that I have. I certainly hope that person brings to it the understanding of the breadth of this department.”
However, he may have left his options open.
“You never want to say never," Vilsack said. "I once said I was going to get out of politics and here I am.”
Vilsack has been Agriculture Secretary during President Obama’s time in office, after serving as Iowa’s governor from 1999 to 2007.
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