Lujan Grisham turned down Interior post, says transition source

Jordan Williams

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) turned down an offer to serve in President-elect Joe Biden’s Cabinet as Interior secretary, a source close to the transition told The Hill. Lujan Grisham is believed to be interested in a position as Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary in a Biden administration given her work on health care, and CNN reported Wednesday afternoon that she was the lead contender for that position. But the source who spoke to The Hill said transition sources don't know where "the HHS claims are coming from." Lujan Grisham's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Lujan Grisham is one of the brightest Latino political stars in the country, and Hispanic groups have been pressing for Biden to select Latinos for prominent roles in his administration. But if she was offered and turned down one Cabinet post, it could mean that other contenders are more likely to be in line for the HHS position. Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo (D) is also reportedly a contender for the post, as is former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy. That Lujan Grisham was offered the Interior post could also raise eyebrows given that other politicians from her state are interested in that position...MORE

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I dunno. Something about this just doesn't ring right.

My first read would be that MLG won't be moving to D.C. It smells like a setup where MLG can say she was wanted by the Biden Administration but turned it down and she walks away with her head held high and her political capital intact. Otherwise she would be viewed as being rejected by Biden.

Would like to know who the source is for this story. Is it someone close to or tied to MLG somehow? If not, what on earth would be their incentive to release this info?   

No. It smells like a setup to me, with Biden saying bye but pitching the placement of this story to allow MLG to gracefully exit the scene, 

However, the other side of the story is laid out here:

 

Lujan Grisham was initially approached about serving as interior secretary but declined the role, people familiar with the outreach told CBS News. One person familiar with the governor's thinking said that she was advised by advisers and friends not to vacate her current perch as the nation's only Latina governor to take a role for which she has no natural interest or professional experience.
This person said that the governor is also sensitive to upsetting Native Americans in her state given that Democratic Representative Deb Haaland, also of New Mexico, is being touted for the role and would be the first Native American to run a department that includes the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

The above leaves the impression she is politically savvy, recognizes her importance and obligation to the Hispanic community, and that she is oh so sensitive to Native Americans.

Why, that kinda looks like a graceful exit.