Tom Vilsack

Thomas James Vilsack, born on December 13, 1950, is a prominent American politician currently holding the position of the 32nd Secretary of Agriculture under President Biden. Vilsack previously occupied this role from 2009 to 2017 during President Obama’s administration. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the 40th governor of Iowa from 1999 to 2007, a period marked by significant growth in concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in the state.

Vilsack launched his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination for the 2008 election on November 30, 2006, but withdrew on February 23, 2007. On December 17, 2008, President-elect Barack Obama selected him as Secretary of Agriculture, and the Senate confirmed his nomination unanimously on January 20, 2009. Vilsack remained in office until his resignation on January 13, 2017, making him the only Cabinet member to serve throughout Obama’s presidency.

In July 2016, The Washington Post indicated that Vilsack was among the final candidates for Hillary Clinton's vice-presidential pick, although U.S. Senator Tim Kaine was ultimately chosen. After a brief hiatus, Vilsack was nominated again by President-elect Joe Biden on December 10, 2020, and confirmed by the Senate on February 23, 2021, with a vote of 92-7. He is currently recognized as the second longest-serving Secretary of Agriculture, following fellow Iowan James "Tama Jim" Wilson.