Linda Daschle

Former administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, Linda Hall Daschle is among the most influential and prominent lobbyists for the airline industry.BakerDonelson.com: Linda H. Daschle Biography On December 11, 2008, Linda Daschle's husband, former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, was nominated by President-Elect Barack Obama to head the Department of Health and Human Services and the be the director of the White House office of health reform.CNN: Obama taps Daschle as 'lead architect' of health care plan (December 11, 2008)

Although some raised questions about possible ethics violations regarding the Daschle's marriage and careers, she being a lobbyist and he being a Senator, the Daschles have reportedly been careful not to cross boundaries.USA Today: Daschle, lobbyist wife vow to keep careers separate (June 5, 2001) When Tom Daschle joined the Senate, Linda Daschle ceased lobbying Senate staff and only resumed dealings with the Senate after her husband was no longer a member.The Hill: Linda Daschle to lobby the Senate (December 8, 2004) In November of 2008, when her husband's name was being mentioned in regards to a position in the Obama administration, Linda Daschle announced that she would be leaving her position as senior public policy adviser at lobbying firm Baker Donelson to start her own firm. As the Daschles' new positions, although both political in nature, are in unrelated industries, there is unlikely to be any conflict of interest, according to Melanie Sloan, executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics.Politico: Daschle's wife to open lobbyist firm (November 19, 2008)