Former tech exec and GOP politicians compete for transportation department leadership
Trump team considers four candidates to lead Department of Transportation with former Uber executive as top pick. Selection process highlights tech industryʼs growing influence in government leadership
Tech industry influence reaches new heights as Emil Michael‚ ex-Uber leader emerges as main pick for transportation chief position. Several tech executives (who backed Trump) push for his candidacy; Michaelʼs ties with Elon Musk through SpaceX investments add extra weight to his chances
Three GOP figures remain in consideration: Sam Graves from Missouri leads transportation committee; Garret Graves from Louisiana works with Trumps campaign on infrastructure; and Sean Duffy‚ whose now sharing his thoughts on Fox News. Sam Graves said hed be honored to serve‚ while others didnt share their position
The Department controls massive $110-billion yearly budget — its responsible for everything from highways to air-traffic control (and even sets rules for self-driving cars). The agency currently looks into Teslaʼs auto-pilot system after twenty crashes happened with updated software
Michael left ride-sharing giant about seven years ago‚ but his career didnt slow down: hes been busy with tech investments and start-up advisory roles. His background includes a White-House fellowship where he worked on middle-east projects; nowadays he runs his own investment firm and helps tech-focused hedge funds
