FCC Chair Speculation Game Begins
• With the FCC preparing to shift to Democratic control, the speculation has already begun about who will assume the chairmanship under the incoming Biden administration, succeeding current Republican Chairman Ajit Pai. According to Variety, two names near the top of the leading contenders list are current commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, the senior Democrat on the commission, and Mignon Clyburn, also a Democrat who served on the commission from 2009-18. Rosenworcel, who has been on the commission since 2012, has been vetted twice and would likely have a smooth path to confirmation, which would be a key consideration assuming the Senate remains in Republican hands.
“I think Jessica Rosenworcel probably has the best chance of becoming chair,” said John Orlando, former Head of Global Government Affairs at CBS. “The ease of her getting confirmed is far easier than anybody else.” Rosenworcel also has the backing of Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), who issued a statement to Variety that read, “Jessica Rosenworcel would make an excellent FCC Chair. She is a devoted public servant with a proven track record as a progressive voice on net neutrality, competition, and consumer protections against robocalls. Jessica was looking for solutions to the ‘homework gap’ and expanding internet access to all students long before the COVID-19 pandemic brought these disparities into such stark relief. And if that all weren’t enough — she’s from Connecticut.”
Ms. Clyburn has been named to President Elect Joe Biden’s transition team for the FCC. She also happens to be the daughter of House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC), whose key endorsement proved critical to Biden’s win in the Democratic primary. As the Variety piece theorizes, given her prior experience on the commission and her clout with the Biden team, Clyburn likely could have the FCC chairmanship if she wanted it. However, observers say she might prefer something bigger — Mignon recently took board seats at Lionsgate and RingCentral, which she would have to give up if named to the FCC, leading to some speculation that she does not want the job.
