Dem lawmaker ‘open’ to Defense secretary post

Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) on Saturday said he is “open” to replacing outgoing Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel.

{mosads}“I’m open to it, but I don’t anticipate being asked,” Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, told KIRO-TV in Washington.

“I like the job I have,” he added. “I love representing the 9th District. If it came to that, it would be a difficult decision.”

Smith said he had not been contacted by the Obama administration about the position.

Smith’s name was one of several to emerge following last Monday’s announcement that Hagel would step down after less than two years as the Pentagon chief.

Other lawmakers thought to be possible replacements included Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.), the retiring chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), who is set to become the top Democrat on the powerful panel in the next Congress.

But aides to both lawmakers moved quickly last week to quash such speculation.

Michèle Flournoy, a former Pentagon official who was viewed as a front-runner to replace Hagel, also withdrew her name from contention last week.

Besides Smith, remaining viable candidates include Robert Work, Hagel’s current deputy, and Ashton Carter, a former deputy secretary of Defense.

Administration sources have said the White House is also seriously considering Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson for the post. Johnson previously served as the Pentagon’s top lawyer.