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WASHINGTON: Wealthy Chicago businesswoman Penny Pritzker is the top candidate to be commerce secretary under incoming president Barack Obama, CNN reported late Wednesday.
Pritzker, 49, raised record amounts of money as national finance chairperson for Obama's presidential campaign.
Pritzker is also number 153 on the Forbes 400 List of wealthiest Americans, with two billion dollars to her name.
If she passes the stringent Obama transition team vetting process she would accept the position, CNN reported.
On her personal website, Pritzker describes herself as "a business executive for more than 20 years" and chair of four corporations: credit reporting agency TransUnion, Classic Residence by Hyatt, Pritzker Realty Group and The Parking Spot.
It also says that she is "dedicated to the arts and architecture, fitness and family, and improving the lives of young people."
She is also involved in reforming Chicago's public education system, and supports "a number of innovative initiatives related to education and health," the website said.
In another report by CNN, Democratic Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano is said to be the lead candidate to head the Department of Homeland Security.
Napolitano, 50, was elected governor of the conservative southwestern US state in 2002, and easily re-elected in 2006.
An attorney by training, Napolitano would also accept the job if she passes the strict vetting process, CNN reported, citing sources close to the governor.
Arizona's senior senator is former Republican presidential candidate John McCain, whom Obama defeated on November 4.
The Homeland Security department was created following the September 11, 2001 terror attacks on the United States, and is the third largest government department after Defense and Veteran's Affairs.
The department, tasked with protecting US territory from terrorist attacks, securing US borders, and helping respond to natural disasters, is currently headed by Michael Chertoff.
- AFP/yt
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