Former Sen. Kelly Loeffler reported as Trump’s USDA pick

By Marc Heller | 11/22/2024 04:20 PM EST

Loeffler grew up on a farm but made her career in business and conservative politics.

Former Sen. Kelly Loeffler speaks during a campaign rally.

Former Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) speaks during a campaign rally Nov. 3 in Macon, Georgia. Mike Stewart/AP

Former Georgia Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler is President-elect Donald Trump’s favored pick to lead the Department of Agriculture, multiple news outlets reported Friday.

Loeffler, who served for little more than a year in the Senate after being appointed to fill the retiring Johnny Isakson’s seat at the end of 2019, has a farming background but made her career in business. She’s a former co-owner of the Atlanta Dream professional basketball team, among other ventures.

In 2020, Loeffler lost to Democrat Raphael Warnock in a special election to fill the remainder of Isakson’s term. Loeffler had the unusual distinction of briefly being the state’s senior senator when Sen. David Perdue, a Republican, lost his bid for reelection in 2020.

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Loeffler, whose tenure lasted from January 2020 to January 2021, was solidly behind then-President Trump during her time in office. She’s since built on those credentials, contributing heavily to the 2024 election effort.

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