Ann Veneman was the first female U.S. Secretary of Agriculture during George W. Bush’s first term as president. The trail she blazed is likely to lead to another woman assuming the top USDA position. Five of the top six potential nominees are women, a list topped by former North Dakota Senator Heidi Heitkamp. California Ag Secretary Karen Ross, Reps. Marcia Fudge, Cheri Bustos and Chellie Pingree of Ohio, Illinois and Maine respectively, are also being mentioned as potential occupants of the top USDA office in 2021. Delaware Ag Secretary Michael Scuse is also on the list. The job is typically not one of the first cabinet posts filled with a new incoming administration, usually coming after other secretary posts with the Treasury, State, Justice and Defense departments. For example, Sonny Perdue was the last cabinet nomination made the day before the inauguration in early 2017. See more on the crowd vying for the job.