Marcia Fudge

Early life and education

Fudge was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on October 29, 1952. As a 1971 graduate of Shaker Heights High School, In 1983, she earned a Juris Doctor from the Cleveland State University College of Law.

Early political career

After college, she worked as a law clerk and studied legal research. She also worked in the Cuyahoga County prosecutor's office as Director of Budget and Finance. Fudge has also worked as an auditor for the county's estate tax department and has occasionally served as a visiting judge and as a chief referee for arbitration.

Fudge was the mayor of Warrensville Heights, Ohio, from 2000 to November 18, 2008. Her 1999 campaign was her first run for any elected office. She was the town's first female and first African American mayor.

Fudge served as chief of staff to U.S. Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones during Jones's first term in Congress. She has also served on the board of trustees for the Cleveland Public Library.

U.S. House of Representatives

Tenure

After Stephanie Tubbs Jones's death on August 20, 2008, a committee of local Democratic leaders selected Fudge as her replacement on the November ballot. This virtually assured her election in the heavily Democratic, black-majority district. Fudge won the November4 general election, defeating Republican Thomas Pekarek with 85% of the vote. She was unopposed in a November 18 special election for the balance of Jones's fifth term, and won with fewer than nine thousand votes cast. She was sworn in on November 19, 2008, giving her almost two months' more seniority than the rest of the 2008 House freshman class.

After the 2018 midterms, Fudge considered running for Speaker of the House in the 2019 election. She later abandoned the bid and supported Nancy Pelosi.

After the 2020 United States presidential election, Fudge and allies including Representative Jim Clyburn argued that she should be appointed as Secretary of Agriculture in the Biden administration. Fudge was quoted as saying, "You know, it's always 'we want to put the Black person in Labor or HUD'." Biden eventually selected Tom Vilsack as his agriculture secretary; he chose Fudge as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

Fudge resigned from the House of Representatives after being confirmed by the Senate as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development on March 10, 2021. A special election to replace her was held on November 2, 2021, with Shontel Brown elected to the seat.

Congressional Black Caucus

During a presentation at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's 44th Annual Legislative Conference in September 2014, Fudge said the CBC would mobilize Black voters in the 2014 midterm elections by underscoring Republican attacks on President Obama, such as false claims that he was not born in the United States.

Committee assignments

• Committee on Agriculture
  • Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy, and Forestry
  • Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations (Chair)
• Committee on House Administration
  • Subcommittee on Elections (Chair)
• Committee on Education and Labor
  • Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services

Caucus memberships

• Congressional Arts Caucus
• Congressional Black Caucus
• Congressional Progressive Caucus
• Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus
• Medicare for All Caucus

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

On December 10, 2020, President Biden announced his plan to nominate Fudge for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. She appeared before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs on January 28, 2021. On February 4, committee chairman Sherrod Brown advanced her nomination after a 17–7 vote in favor.

On March 10, 2021, Fudge was confirmed by the Senate by a vote of 66–34, garnering the support of every senator caucusing with the Democratic Party and 16 senators from the Republican caucus. She was sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris hours after her confirmation.

Tenure

Hatch Act violation

In March 2021, during a White House press conference, Fudge made comments on the upcoming Senate election in her home state of Ohio suggesting that Democrats could win it. As a result, she was accused of violating the Hatch Act of 1939. After an investigation, the Office of Special Counsel determined she had violated the Hatch Act. Fudge received a warning.

Racial impact of housing problems

In one of her first acts as secretary, Fudge discussed the effects of homelessness on people of color, evictions in the United States, and creating avenues for fair housing with civil rights leaders including Marc Morial and Al Sharpton.

Resignation

On March 11, 2024, Fudge announced her resignation to take effect on March 22, stepping down from public life. She is now a partner at the law firm of Taft Stettinius & Hollister.

Electoral history

Personal life

Fudge was the president of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority from 1996 to 2000, co-chair of the sorority's National Social Action Commission, and a member of its Greater Cleveland Alumnae Chapter. In 2003, she was a member of the Shaker Heights Alumni Association's Hall of Fame Class.

Fudge has been a member of the Glenville Church of God and is currently a member of Zion Chapel Baptist Church.

In 2015, Fudge wrote a letter asking for leniency in the sentencing of Cleveland politician Lance Mason on felony assault and domestic violence charges. Fudge described Mason as "kind", and wrote that "Lance [...] has assured me that something like this will never happen again." Mason subsequently attacked and killed his ex-wife, in 2018, stabbing her 59 times. After the murder, Fudge released a statement saying she condemned the crimes committed by Mason.

References

References

1. (November 4, 2008). "Fudge Elected To Late Tubbs-Jones' Congressional Seat". [[WEWS-TV]].
2. "Membership". Congressional Black Caucus.
3. Clare Foran. (2018-11-20). "Marcia Fudge, who was considering run for House speaker, says she will back Nancy Pelosi – CNN Politics".
4. "Banking Committee Advances Fudge, Rouse Nominations {{!}} United States Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs".
5. Stracqualursi, Veronica. (March 10, 2021). "Senate confirms Ohio Rep. Marcia Fudge as HUD secretary".
6. (March 10, 2021). "Marcia Fudge Sworn in As Secretary of Housing and Urban Development". United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
7. Prater, Nia. (2021-03-10). "Marcia Fudge Confirmed As Biden's HUD Secretary".
8. "FUDGE, Marcia L. (1952-)".
9. Office of Government Affairs. (August 2025). "Federal Alumni: Marcia Fudge". The Ohio State University.
10. (March 8, 2007). "Mayor Marcia Fudge, Esq.". [[Call and Post]].
11. (February 10, 1998). "Cuyahoga County Prosecuting Attorney Press Conference Regarding Congressional Race". [[PR Newswire]].
12. "Biography". [[United States House of Representatives]].
13. (November 19, 2008). "Marcia Fudge, with style of her own, takes congressional seat". [[The Plain Dealer]].
14. (January 11, 2000). "Warrensville Heights, Ohio Mayor's Inauguration". [[PR Newswire]].
15. "About the Mayor". City of Warrensville Heights, Ohio.
16. (October 26, 2006). "Stephanie Tubbs Jones: A servant of the people". [[Call and Post]].
17. (September 11, 2008). "Ohio Dem Fudge Hits Sweet Spot With Nomination to Succeed Late Rep. Tubbs Jones". [[CQ Politics]].
18. US Census Bureau. "Fast Facts for Congress". census.gov.
19. "State Election Results – Election Center 2008 – Elections & Politics from CNN.com". cnn.com.
20. (2017-03-02). "Marcia Fudge".
21. (November 19, 2008). "Democrat Fudge Takes Oath as Newest House Member". [[CQ Politics]].
22. (November 19, 2008). "Congressional Chronicle". [[C-SPAN]].
23. Davis, Julie Hirschfeld. (2018-11-21). "Pelosi's One Potential Rival Cuts Deal and Drops Speaker Challenge". The New York Times.
24. (2020-11-11). "'I've been very, very loyal': Marcia Fudge makes the case for Ag secretary". [[Politico]].
25. Axelrod, Tal. (2020-12-10). "Biden makes Fudge, Vilsack, Tai nominations official".
26. (December 10, 2020). "Working families, veterans, farmers and producers, and those fighting for their place in the middle class will have partners in government once again. This experienced group will help us make it through this pandemic and thrive once the crisis is over.".
27. Swanson, Ian. (2021-03-10). "Fudge resigns to go to HUD after voting for COVID-19 relief".
28. "Marcia Fudge Submits Resignation Letter to House {{!}} C-SPAN.org".
29. (2 November 2021). "Ohio Special Congressional Election Results".
30. (January 12, 2019). "Rep. Marcia Fudge says Congressional Black Caucus will mobilize voters by stressing GOP threats to President Obama". Cleveland.com.
31. "Membership". Congressional Arts Caucus.
32. "Caucus Members". Congressional Progressive Caucus.
33. "Members". Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.
34. (2025-05-22). "Congresswoman Marcia Fudge Nominated to Become HUD Secretary".
35. "Nomination Hearing {{!}} United States Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs".
36. Donald Judd and Maegan Vazquez. (March 19, 2021). "HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge may have violated Hatch Act with comments at White House".
37. Nichols, Hans. (March 24, 2021). "Hatch Act complaint filed against HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge".
38. Lippman, Daniel. (May 13, 2021). "Government watchdog says Fudge violated Hatch Act".
39. (2021-03-27). "Fudge meets with civil rights leaders about pandemic housing challenges".
40. (March 27, 2021). "HUD Sec. Fudge meets with civil rights leaders to address pandemic housing challenges".
41. "HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge to resign, says affordable housing is 'an American issue'".
42. "Election Results". Ohio Secretary of State.
43. "Election Results and Data".
44. (September 16, 1996). "Marcia Fudge elected national president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.". Johnson Publishing Company.
45. "Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. – Past National Presidents".
46. "Biography".
47. (October 3, 2007). "Young women invited to meet 'Extraordinary' role models". [[Call & Post]].
48. (August 15, 2008). "Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Awards Melanie L. Campbell Social Action Award".
49. (Winter 2004). "The Shaker School Review".
50. "About the Mayor". City of Warrensville.
51. Buffington, Randy. (November 20, 2018). "Read Rep. Marcia Fudge's letter of support of Lance Mason before domestic violence conviction".
52. Haag, Matthew. (2018-11-19). "Former Ohio Judge Who Beat His Wife Is Arrested in Her Stabbing Death". The New York Times.
53. (November 20, 2018). "U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge personally wrote letter in support of Lance Mason following first arrest". [[WKYC]].