Teamsters president pushing Chavez-DeRemer for Labor secretary

Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.) is in the mix to be Trump’s Labor secretary and, notably, has the backing of Teamsters President Sean O’Brien, according to three people familiar with the conversations granted anonymity to share private discussions.

O’Brien is privately raising Chavez-DeRemer’s name as a top pick for the role. GOP leaders on Capitol Hill have also advocated for Chavez-DeRemer for the job directly with President-elect Donald Trump and his team, according to another person familiar with the matter.

Kara Deniz, a Teamsters spokesperson, confirmed that O’Brien supports Chavez-DeRemer for the role, saying “we think she would be an excellent choice.”

The Oregon Republican won strong union support in her recent reelection bid, which she narrowly lost earlier this month. O’Brien met with about 15 House Republicans Tuesday. Deniz said they discussed “working-class issues.”

A spokesperson for Chavez-DeRemer didn’t immediately respond for a comment.

The Trump transition did not comment.