Obama to Name NY Republican Army Secretary

Barack Obama will nominate yet another Republican to an administration post today, tapping New York Rep. John McHugh as Army secretary, the New York Times reports. McHugh is the ranking Republican on the House armed services committee, and serves on West Point’s Board of Visitors.

His appointment means another special election for New York, hot off the hotly-contested battle to replace Kirsten Gillibrand. Democrats think they have a shot at the seat, but Republicans should be favored in McHugh’s right-leaning district. (More Barack Obama stories.)