Senate confirms Andrew Hughes as HUD’s deputy secretary, but key vacancies remain

Hughes entered politics in 2016 as a staffer for Ben Carson’s presidential campaign that year, later joining HUD. There, he initially worked as the White House liaison to the department before rising to become its chief of staff under Carson, where he remained until Inauguration Day 2021 at the onset of the Biden administration.

Following the first Trump administration, Hughes joined Carson’s conservative think tank, the American Cornerstone Institute. He remained there until the commencement of the second Trump administration, when he rejoined HUD as chief of staff.

Hughes was seen in March speaking with Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) in the lobby of the HUD headquarters when the California congresswoman attempted to hand-deliver a letter to Turner that opposed cuts to department staff and programs.

Tuesday’s Senate vote was a partisan affair. Hughes was confirmed with a vote of 51-43, with all of the affirmative votes coming from Republicans and all of the negative votes coming from 42 Democrats and one Independent.

Six senators — including two Republicans, three Democrats and Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vt.) — did not cast a vote.

In a statement, Turner lauded Hughes’ work and what he’s expected to bring to the table now that he’s confirmed and seated.

“Andrew Hughes is a servant leader and is the right person, at the right time for this assignment to carry out HUD’s mission,” Turner said. “I had the pleasure of serving alongside him during the first Trump administration and witnessed firsthand his leadership, wisdom, and love for this country. We share a clear vision for HUD’s future, and it is truly a blessing to have him in this role. He will serve the American people well.”

Hughes characterized work for HUD as a “calling,” adding that he is “humbled to help lead an agency that expands opportunity for all communities – rural, tribal, and urban.”

Hughes, Turner and Trump are “focused on ensuring more Americans can achieve not just housing, but the stability, self-sufficiency, and upward mobility that define the American Dream,” Hughes added.

Shortly after the vote was tallied, the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) released a statement of congratulations.

“We look forward to continuing our important work with him, Secretary Turner, and HUD staff on policies and initiatives that lower single-family and multifamily financing costs and increase homeownership and rental housing opportunities for all Americans,” MBA president and CEO Bob Broeksmit said.

But several key vacancies at HUD remain, most of which do not have nominations.

Key roles that await nominations from the White House include the commissioner of the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) commissioner and the president of Ginnie Mae, the government-owned company that fuels the secondary mortgage market. In April, Ginnie Mae named Joe Gormley as its executive vice president and chief operating officer.

HUD is also currently without a COO, senior and general counsel, and an assistant secretary for public affairs. Hughes remains listed as chief of staff on the HUD leadership webpage, but it’s unclear if he will perform both roles or if the chief of staff position will become vacant.