Marcia Fudge

Marcia Louise Fudge (born October 29, 1952) is an American attorney and politician serving as the 18th United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development since 2021. A member of the Democratic Party, she served as the U.S. representative for Ohio's 11th congressional district from 2008 to 2021. The district includes most of the black-majority precincts between Cleveland and Akron.

Marcia Fudge
Fudge in 2021
18th United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
Assumed office
March 10, 2021
PresidentJoe Biden
DeputyAdrianne Todman
Preceded byBen Carson
Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus
In office
January 3, 2013 – January 3, 2015
Preceded byEmanuel Cleaver
Succeeded byG. K. Butterfield
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Ohio's 11th district
In office
November 19, 2008 – March 10, 2021
Preceded byStephanie Tubbs Jones
Succeeded byShontel Brown
Mayor of Warrensville Heights
In office
January 16, 2000 – November 18, 2008
Preceded byClinton Hall
Succeeded byWilliam Pegues
Personal details
Born
Marcia Louise Fudge

(1952-10-29) October 29, 1952
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationOhio State University (BS)
Cleveland State University (JD)

Following the death of Stephanie Tubbs Jones in 2008, Fudge ran unopposed in the special election to replace her.[1] She was chair of the Congressional Black Caucus in the 113th Congress.[2] She considered running for Speaker of the United States House of Representatives at the start of the 116th Congress but eventually announced she would back Nancy Pelosi.[3]

Then president-elect Joe Biden nominated Fudge as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development on December 10, 2020. The U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs advanced her nomination by a vote of 17–7 on February 4, 2021.[4] She was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 10, 2021, by a vote of 66–34.[5] She was virtually sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris on March 10, 2021.[6] Upon taking her oath of office, she became the second African-American woman to serve as secretary of housing and urban development.[7]

Early life and education

Fudge was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on October 29, 1952.[8] A 1971 graduate of Shaker Heights High School,[9] she earned her Bachelor of Science in business from the Ohio State University in 1975.[10] In 1983, she earned a Juris Doctor from the Cleveland State University College of Law.[11]

Early political career

After college, she worked as a law clerk and studied legal research. She also worked in the Cuyahoga County prosecutor's office as Director of Budget and Finance.[12] Fudge has also worked as an auditor for the county's estate tax department and has occasionally served as a visiting judge and as a chief referee for arbitration.[13]

Fudge was the mayor of Warrensville Heights, Ohio, from 2000 to November 18, 2008.[14][15] Her 1999 campaign was her first run for any elected office. She was the town's first female and first African American mayor.[16]

Fudge served as chief of staff to U.S. Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones during Jones's first term in Congress.[17] She has also served on the board of trustees for the Cleveland Public Library.[16]

U.S. House of Representatives

Tenure

After Stephanie Tubbs Jones's death on August 20, 2008, a committee of local Democratic leaders selected Fudge as her replacement on the November ballot. This virtually assured her election in the heavily Democratic, black-majority district.[18][19] Fudge won the November 4 general election, defeating Republican Thomas Pekarek with 85% of the vote.[20] She was unopposed in a November 18 special election for the balance of Jones's fifth term, and won with fewer than nine thousand votes cast.[21] She was sworn in on November 19, 2008, giving her almost two months' more seniority than the rest of the 2008 House freshman class.[22][23]

After the 2018 midterms, Fudge considered running for Speaker of the House in the 2019 election. She later abandoned the bid and supported Nancy Pelosi.[24]

After the 2020 United States presidential election, Fudge and allies including Representative Jim Clyburn argued that she should be appointed as Secretary of Agriculture in the Biden administration. Fudge was quoted as saying, "You know, it's always 'we want to put the Black person in Labor or HUD'."[25][26] Biden eventually selected Tom Vilsack as his agriculture secretary; he chose Fudge as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.[26][27]

Fudge during the 116th Congress

Fudge resigned from the House of Representatives after being confirmed by the Senate as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development on March 10, 2021.[28][29] A special election to replace her was held on November 2, 2021, with Shontel Brown elected to the seat.[30]

Congressional Black Caucus

During a presentation at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's 44th Annual Legislative Conference in September 2014, Fudge said the CBC would mobilize Black voters in the 2014 midterm elections by underscoring Republican attacks on President Obama, such as claims that he was not born in the United States.[31]

Committee assignments

Caucus memberships

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

On December 10, 2020, President Biden announced his plan to nominate Fudge for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.[35] She appeared before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs on January 28, 2021.[36] On February 4, committee chairman Sherrod Brown advanced her nomination after a 17–7 vote in favor.

On March 10, 2021, Fudge was confirmed by the Senate by a vote of 66–34, garnering the support of every senator caucusing with the Democratic Party and 16 senators from the Republican caucus. She was sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris hours after her confirmation.[6]

Hatch Act violation

In March 2021, during a White House press conference, Fudge made comments on the upcoming Senate election in her home state of Ohio suggesting that Democrats could win it. As a result, she was accused of violating the Hatch Act of 1939.[37][38] After an investigation, the Office of Special Counsel determined she had violated the Hatch Act. Fudge received a warning.[39]

Racial impact of housing problems

In one of her first acts as secretary, Fudge discussed the effects of homelessness on people of color, evictions in the United States, and creating avenues for fair housing with civil rights leaders including Marc Morial and Al Sharpton.[40][41]

Electoral history
Ohio's 11th congressional district[42][43]
Year Election Subject Party Votes  % Opponent Party Votes  % Opponent Party Votes  %
2008 Special Marcia Fudge Democratic 8,597 100%
2008 General Marcia Fudge Democratic 212,485 85.2% Thomas Pekarek Republican 36,705 14.7% Craig Willis Independent 144 0.1%
2010 General Marcia Fudge Democratic 139,693 82.9% Thomas Pekarek Republican 28,754 17.1%
2012 General Marcia Fudge Democratic 258,378 100%
2014 General Marcia Fudge Democratic 132,396 79.2% Mark Zetzer Republican 34,769 20.8%
2016 General Marcia Fudge Democratic 233,285 80.1% Beverly Goldstein Republican 58,066 19.9%
2018 General Marcia Fudge Democratic 206,138 81.9% Beverly Goldstein Republican 48,866 14.9%
2020 General Marcia Fudge Democratic 242,098 80.1% Laverne Gore Republican 60,323 19.9%

Personal life

Fudge was the president of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority from 1996 to 2000,[44][45] co-chair of the sorority's National Social Action Commission, and a member of its Greater Cleveland Alumnae Chapter.[46][47][48] In 2003, she was a member of the Shaker Heights Alumni Association's Hall of Fame Class.[9]

Fudge has been a member of the Glenville Church of God,[49] and is now a member of Zion Chapel Baptist Church.[13]

In 2015, Fudge wrote a letter asking for leniency in the sentencing of Cleveland politician Lance Mason on felony assault and domestic violence charges.[50] Fudge described Mason as "kind", and wrote that "Lance [...] has assured me that something like this will never happen again."[50] Mason subsequently attacked and killed his ex-wife, in 2018, stabbing her 59 times.[51] After the murder, Fudge released a statement saying she condemned the crimes committed by Mason.[52]

See also

References
  1. "Fudge Elected To Late Tubbs-Jones' Congressional Seat". WEWS-TV. November 4, 2008. Archived from the original on January 6, 2009. Retrieved November 4, 2008.
  2. "Membership". Congressional Black Caucus. Archived from the original on April 21, 2019. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  3. Clare Foran (November 20, 2018). "Marcia Fudge, who was considering run for House speaker, says she will back Nancy Pelosi – CNN Politics". CNN. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  4. "Banking Committee Advances Fudge, Rouse Nominations | United States Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs". www.banking.senate.gov. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  5. Stracqualursi, Veronica (March 10, 2021). "Senate confirms Ohio Rep. Marcia Fudge as HUD secretary". CNN. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  6. "Marcia Fudge Sworn in As Secretary of Housing and Urban Development" (Press release). Washington, D.C.: United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. March 10, 2021. Archived from the original on August 12, 2022. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  7. Prater, Nia (March 10, 2021). "Marcia Fudge Confirmed As Biden's HUD Secretary". Intelligencer. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  8. "FUDGE, Marcia L. (1952-)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  9. "The Shaker School Review" (PDF). Winter 2004. pp. 13–14. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 24, 2009. Retrieved March 22, 2012.
  10. Office of Government Affairs. "Federal Alumni: Marcia Fudge". Alumni in Government. Columbus, OH: The Ohio State University. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  11. "Mayor Marcia Fudge, Esq". Call and Post. March 8, 2007. p. 6. ProQuest 238465743.
  12. "Cuyahoga County Prosecuting Attorney Press Conference Regarding Congressional Race". PR Newswire. February 10, 1998. ProQuest 453516985.
  13. "Biography". United States House of Representatives. Archived from the original on November 26, 2008. Retrieved November 29, 2008.
  14. Perkins, Olivera (November 19, 2008). "Marcia Fudge, with style of her own, takes congressional seat". The Plain Dealer. Archived from the original on September 25, 2012. Retrieved November 19, 2008.
  15. "Warrensville Heights, Ohio Mayor's Inauguration". PR Newswire. January 11, 2000. Archived from the original on February 21, 2009. Retrieved September 12, 2008.
  16. "About the Mayor". City of Warrensville Heights, Ohio. Archived from the original on June 20, 2007. Retrieved September 12, 2008.
  17. "Stephanie Tubbs Jones: A servant of the people". Call and Post. October 26, 2006. p. 1B. ProQuest 238462398.
  18. Giroux, Greg (September 11, 2008). "Ohio Dem Fudge Hits Sweet Spot With Nomination to Succeed Late Rep. Tubbs Jones". CQ Politics. Archived from the original on September 20, 2008. Retrieved September 13, 2008.
  19. US Census Bureau. "Fast Facts for Congress". census.gov. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved August 19, 2015.
  20. "State Election Results – Election Center 2008 – Elections & Politics from CNN.com". cnn.com. Archived from the original on September 9, 2015. Retrieved August 19, 2015.
  21. "Marcia Fudge". Baldwin Wallace University. March 2, 2017. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  22. Epstein, Edward (November 19, 2008). "Democrat Fudge Takes Oath as Newest House Member". CQ Politics. Archived from the original on November 22, 2008. Retrieved November 19, 2008.
  23. "Congressional Chronicle". C-SPAN. November 19, 2008. Archived from the original on September 30, 2011. Retrieved November 19, 2008.
  24. Davis, Julie Hirschfeld (November 21, 2018). "Pelosi's One Potential Rival Cuts Deal and Drops Speaker Challenge". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  25. Korecki, Natasha; Evich, Helena Bottemiller; Crampton, Liz (November 11, 2020). "'I've been very, very loyal': Marcia Fudge makes the case for Ag secretary". Politico. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  26. Axelrod, Tal (December 10, 2020). "Biden makes Fudge, Vilsack, Tai nominations official". The Hill. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  27. @Transition46 (December 10, 2020). "Working families, veterans, farmers and producers, and those fighting for their place in the middle class will have partners in government once again. This experienced group will help us make it through this pandemic and thrive once the crisis is over" (Tweet). Retrieved December 10, 2020 – via Twitter.
  28. Swanson, Ian (March 10, 2021). "Fudge resigns to go to HUD after voting for COVID-19 relief". TheHill. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  29. "Marcia Fudge Submits Resignation Letter to House | C-SPAN.org". www.c-span.org. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  30. "Ohio Special Congressional Election Results". The New York Times. November 2, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  31. Eaton, Sabrina (January 12, 2019). "Rep. Marcia Fudge says Congressional Black Caucus will mobilize voters by stressing GOP threats to President Obama". Cleveland.com. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved August 19, 2015.
  32. "Membership". Congressional Arts Caucus. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  33. "Caucus Members". Congressional Progressive Caucus. Archived from the original on April 27, 2019. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  34. "Members". Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. Archived from the original on May 24, 2019. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  35. Bowden, Ebony (December 8, 2020). "Joe Biden chooses Ohio Rep. Marcia Fudge to be HUD secretary". New York Post. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  36. "Nomination Hearing | United States Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs". www.banking.senate.gov. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  37. Donald Judd and Maegan Vazquez (March 19, 2021). "HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge may have violated Hatch Act with comments at White House". CNN. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  38. Nichols, Hans (March 24, 2021). "Hatch Act complaint filed against HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge". Axios. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  39. Lippman, Daniel (May 13, 2021). "Government watchdog says Fudge violated Hatch Act". POLITICO. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  40. "Fudge meets with civil rights leaders about pandemic housing challenges". TheGrio. March 27, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  41. "HUD Sec. Fudge meets with civil rights leaders to address pandemic housing challenges". news.yahoo.com. March 27, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  42. "Election Results". Ohio Secretary of State. Archived from the original on August 15, 2012. Retrieved March 1, 2014.
  43. "Election Results and Data". Ohio Secretary of State. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  44. "Marcia Fudge elected national president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc". Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. September 16, 1996. p. 52.
  45. "Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. – Past National Presidents". Archived from the original on September 14, 2008. Retrieved September 12, 2008.
  46. "Biography". Congresswoman Marcia Fudge. Archived from the original on January 27, 2021. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  47. "Young women invited to meet 'Extraordinary' role models". Call & Post. October 3, 2007. p. 2B. ProQuest 238510541.
  48. "Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Awards Melanie L. Campbell Social Action Award". August 15, 2008. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved September 12, 2008.
  49. "About the Mayor". City of Warrensville. Archived from the original on September 19, 2008. Retrieved September 12, 2008.
  50. Buffington, Randy (November 20, 2018). "Read Rep. Marcia Fudge's letter of support of Lance Mason before domestic violence conviction". Cleveland19.com. Archived from the original on December 12, 2019. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  51. Haag, Matthew (November 19, 2018). "Former Ohio Judge Who Beat His Wife Is Arrested in Her Stabbing Death". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on April 18, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  52. "U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge personally wrote letter in support of Lance Mason following first arrest". WKYC. November 20, 2018. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
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