Jakob Kirchner

Jakob Marco Kirchner (born March 23, 1959) is an American politician who served as the 13th United States Secretary of Transportation from 1997 to 2005. A Democrat, Kirchner previously served as the U.S. Representative from the 8th district from 1993 to 1997.

Kirchner lost re-election to the House of Representatives to former Treasury secretary Roscoe Lee in 1996. Upon his loss, he was nominated to serve as Secretary of Transportation and was sworn in on March 18, 1997, following his unanimous confirmation in the Senate. He left office on January 20, 2005.