But it would be a high honor, obviously to be considered. Former Republican Gov. Thomas Kean is also considered a possibility to be secretary of education. Citing sources, The Star-Ledger of Newark reported for its Friday editions that Whitman would be an international trade representative, head of the Environmental Protection Agency or ambassador to the United Nations. The Associated Press reported that Whitman is a candidate to head the Labor Department or Health and Human Services. Those reports are unfounded, Whitman spokesman Pete McDonough said Friday.
Speculation is just that.
Whitman has hosted overseas trade missions to the Far East, Israel, Switzerland and South America in the past two years to promote New Jersey trade. Her most recent travels were an 11-day trade mission to Japan, South Korea and Taiwan in May. Kean, now president of Drew University, did not immediately return a call for comment. In a lengthy interview Thursday, Whitman said she is not interested in being an ambassador. The governor, who is barred from seeking a third consecutive term, said she is interested in a position where she would be involved with public policy. But moving to Washington to work for the federal government is not a personal ambition, Whitman said.