News of Ronny Jackson's withdrawal as President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs has prompted speculation about which other likely candidates could fill the role.
Jackson made the announcement of his departure Thursday in a statement that denounced allegations of improper behavior against him, which he said have "become a distraction" for Trump and his agenda," CNN reported.
Here are four other VA secretary possibilities to take over after Jackson's withdrawal.
1. Thomas Bowman — American Veterans (AMVETS), one of the nation's largest veterans organizations, has previously called for Trump to install Bowman as acting secretary.
The department's deputy, who is a retired Marine colonel, has served as former chief of staff for two VA secretaries in the George W. Bush administration, The Hill reported.
Additionally, he has also served as a former majority staff director of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.
In a letter to Trump, AMVETS National Commander Marion Polk wrote that Bowman has "earned the trust of Congress" and was "clearly the best positioned and equipped to lead the VA right now and provide the continuity of vision and effort that the progress made so far deserves, and that he alone can ensure," according to The Hill.
2. Toby Cosgrove — Earlier this year news surfaced that the former Cleveland Clinic CEO, who was initially under consideration for the VA Secretary position during the Trump transition, could be back in contention for the job, Crain's Cleveland Business reported.
Cosgrove, who is a Vietnam veteran and former military doctor, withdrew his name from consideration for the position in January 2017 because of his CEO responsibilities however, he stepped down from this role in January 2018.
3. Pete Hegseth — According to Newsweek, the Iraq war veteran and "Fox & Friends" host has been a notable candidate to replace embattled Secretary David Shulkin as VA secretary.
Fox News contributor Katie Pavlich reiterated this in a tweet, stating that she was told that "President Trump wants Pete Hegseth to replace Shulkin at the VA after he is fired."
4. Rick Perry — Energy Secretary Rick Perry, a former Texas governor, was seen lunching with Trump last month amid news that the president was looking to oust Shulkin, fueling rumors that he may be a VA secretary candidate, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Adding to speculation, Trump went on to sing his praise for the energy secretary at an event with the Houston Astros at the White House last month.
"We love Rick, right? Did I do the right job with Rick?" Trump asked, per the Wall Street Journal. "I think we did the right job."
Other possible candidates for the position, according to The Associated Press, include; Former Rep. Jeff Miller, who had been chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee; retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg; Michael Kussman, a former VA undersecretary of health; and Leo Mackay Jr., a former VA deputy secretary who is now senior vice president at Lockheed Martin Corp.
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