American attorney and politician (born 1952)
Marcia Fudge
Official portrait, 2021
In office March 10, 2021 – March 22, 2024President
Joe Biden Deputy
Adrianne Todman Preceded by
Ben Carson Succeeded by
Adrianne Todman (acting) In office January 3, 2013 – January 3, 2015Preceded by
Emanuel Cleaver Succeeded by
G. K. Butterfield In office November 19, 2008 – March 10, 2021Preceded by
Stephanie Tubbs Jones Succeeded by
Shontel Brown In office January 16, 2000 – November 18, 2008Preceded by Clinton Hall Succeeded by William Pegues
Born Marcia Louise Fudge
(1952-10-29 ) October 29, 1952 (age 71)
Cleveland ,
Ohio , U.S.Political party
Democratic Education
Ohio State University (
BS )
Cleveland State University (
JD )
Fudge on discrimination in housing appraisals. Recorded March 12, 2022
Marcia Louise Fudge (born October 29, 1952) is an American attorney and retired politician who served as the 18th
United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development from 2021 to 2024. 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 included most of the black-majority precincts between
Cleveland and
Akron .
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
Video of Fudge being sworn in by Vice President
Kamala Harris
On December 10, 2020, President Biden announced his plan to nominate Fudge for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.[
citation needed ] She appeared before the
Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs on January 28, 2021.
[35] 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]
Tenure
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 .
[36]
[37] After an investigation, the
Office of Special Counsel determined she had violated the Hatch Act. Fudge received a warning.
[38]
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 .
[39]
[40]
Resignation
On March 11, 2024, Fudge announced her
resignation to take effect on March 22, stepping down from public life.
[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 and is currently a member of Zion Chapel Baptist Church.
[49]
[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
^
"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 .
^
"Membership" . Congressional Black Caucus.
Archived from the original on April 21, 2019. Retrieved March 7, 2018 .
^ 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 .
^
"Banking Committee Advances Fudge, Rouse Nominations | United States Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs" . www.banking.senate.gov . Retrieved March 10, 2021 .
^ Stracqualursi, Veronica (March 10, 2021).
"Senate confirms Ohio Rep. Marcia Fudge as HUD secretary" . CNN . Retrieved March 10, 2021 .
^
a
b
"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 .
^ Prater, Nia (March 10, 2021).
"Marcia Fudge Confirmed As Biden's HUD Secretary" . Intelligencer . Retrieved March 10, 2021 .
^
"FUDGE, Marcia L. (1952-)" .
Biographical Directory of the United States Congress .
Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved December 8, 2020 .
^
a
b
"The Shaker School Review" (PDF) . Winter 2004. pp. 13–14. Archived from
the original (PDF) on March 24, 2009. Retrieved March 22, 2012 .
^ Office of Government Affairs.
"Federal Alumni: Marcia Fudge" . Alumni in Government . Columbus, OH: The Ohio State University. Retrieved January 10, 2021 .
^ "Mayor Marcia Fudge, Esq".
Call and Post . March 8, 2007. p. 6.
ProQuest
238465743 .
^ "Cuyahoga County Prosecuting Attorney Press Conference Regarding Congressional Race".
PR Newswire . February 10, 1998.
ProQuest
453516985 .
^
a
b
"Biography" .
United States House of Representatives . Archived from
the original on November 26, 2008. Retrieved November 29, 2008 .
^ 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 .
^
"Warrensville Heights, Ohio Mayor's Inauguration" .
PR Newswire . January 11, 2000.
Archived from the original on February 21, 2009. Retrieved September 12, 2008 .
^
a
b
"About the Mayor" . City of Warrensville Heights, Ohio. Archived from
the original on June 20, 2007. Retrieved September 12, 2008 .
^ "Stephanie Tubbs Jones: A servant of the people".
Call and Post . October 26, 2006. p. 1B.
ProQuest
238462398 .
^ 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 .
^ US Census Bureau.
"Fast Facts for Congress" . census.gov . Archived from
the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved August 19, 2015 .
^
"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 .
^
"Marcia Fudge" . Baldwin Wallace University . March 2, 2017. Retrieved May 24, 2022 .
^ 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 .
^
"Congressional Chronicle" .
C-SPAN . November 19, 2008. Archived from
the original on September 30, 2011. Retrieved November 19, 2008 .
^ 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 .
^ 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 .
^
a
b Axelrod, Tal (December 10, 2020).
"Biden makes Fudge, Vilsack, Tai nominations official" .
The Hill . Retrieved December 10, 2020 .
^ @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 .
^ Swanson, Ian (March 10, 2021).
"Fudge resigns to go to HUD after voting for COVID-19 relief" . TheHill . Retrieved March 10, 2021 .
^
"Marcia Fudge Submits Resignation Letter to House | C-SPAN.org" . www.c-span.org . Retrieved March 10, 2021 .
^
"Ohio Special Congressional Election Results" . The New York Times . November 2, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2022 .
^ 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 .
^
"Membership" . Congressional Arts Caucus. Archived from
the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved March 13, 2018 .
^
"Caucus Members" . Congressional Progressive Caucus.
Archived from the original on April 27, 2019. Retrieved January 30, 2018 .
^
"Members" . Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.
Archived from the original on May 24, 2019. Retrieved May 17, 2018 .
^
"Nomination Hearing | United States Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs" . www.banking.senate.gov . Retrieved January 26, 2021 .
^ 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 .
^ Nichols, Hans (March 24, 2021).
"Hatch Act complaint filed against HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge" . Axios . Retrieved May 14, 2021 .
^ Lippman, Daniel (May 13, 2021).
"Government watchdog says Fudge violated Hatch Act" . POLITICO . Retrieved May 14, 2021 .
^
"Fudge meets with civil rights leaders about pandemic housing challenges" . TheGrio . March 27, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2021 .
^
"HUD Sec. Fudge meets with civil rights leaders to address pandemic housing challenges" . Yahoo News . March 27, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2021 .
^
"HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge to resign, says affordable housing is 'an American issue' " . USA TODAY . Retrieved March 11, 2024 .
^
"Election Results" . Ohio Secretary of State . Archived from
the original on August 15, 2012. Retrieved March 1, 2014 .
^
"Election Results and Data" . Ohio Secretary of State . Retrieved March 10, 2021 .
^
"Marcia Fudge elected national president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc" .
Jet . Johnson Publishing Company. September 16, 1996. p. 52.
^
"Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. – Past National Presidents" . Archived from
the original on September 14, 2008. Retrieved September 12, 2008 .
^
"Biography" . Congresswoman Marcia Fudge . Archived from
the original on January 27, 2021. Retrieved February 21, 2021 .
^ "Young women invited to meet 'Extraordinary' role models".
Call & Post . October 3, 2007. p. 2B.
ProQuest
238510541 .
^
"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 .
^
"About the Mayor" . City of Warrensville. Archived from
the original on September 19, 2008. Retrieved September 12, 2008 .
^
a
b 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 .
^ 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 .
^
"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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