BlackRock’s Rick Rieder Among 11 Candidates Trump Is Considering to Replace Jerome Powell as Fed Chair
BlackRock’s Global Fixed Income CIO Rick Rieder has joined the list of contenders to succeed Jerome Powell when his term ends in May 2026. According to CNBC, Rieder is one of three new names added to the roster, alongside Jefferies Chief Market Strategist David Zervos and former Fed Governor Larry Lindsey.
The full list now includes 11 candidates, such as Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman, Fed Governor Chris Waller, Fed Vice Chair Philip Jefferson, Dallas Fed President Lorie Logan, former St. Louis Fed President James Bullard, Marc Summerlin, and “Two Kevins” — Kevin Warsh and Kevin Hassett — confirmed by President Donald Trump.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will interview each candidate and present a shortlist to Trump for the final decision. Several contenders, including Waller, Bowman, and Rieder, have expressed support for interest rate cuts, aligning with Trump’s push for looser monetary policy. 
Polymarket odds currently show Waller as the frontrunner with a 27.5% chance of being named Fed Chair, followed by Warsh (10.8%) and Hassett (10.7%). Analysts expect no announcement until 2026, despite Trump’s ongoing criticism of Powell and consideration of legal action against him.
