Mnuchin raised funds for Trump

washington» Steven Mnuchin, President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to be the nation’s 77th Treasury secretary, has had a long history as a successful financial executive and a shorter but significant period in a job that ushered him into Trump’s inner circle: head of Trump’s campaign finance operation.

When Mnuchin, 53, was chosen by Trump as his national finance director in May, he told The Associated Press that the two men had been friends for 15 years. Through his work as finance chairman, Mnuchin is close to Trump’s children and son-in-law, Jared Kushner — a top adviser to Trump — and worked with them on fundraising events.

The campaign raised at least $169 million, in addition to the $66 million that Trump spent out of his own pocket. Although that was far short of what Hillary Clinton raised, it represented an impressive haul, given that Trump didn’t begin fundraising in earnest until the end of May.

Mnuchin and Wilbur Ross, Trump’s pick to be Commerce secretary, said Wednesday on CNBC that they were looking forward to working together as the new administration pursues policies to boost economic growth and jobs.

“Our number-one priority is tax reform,” Mnuchin said. “This will be the largest tax change since Reagan . ... We are going to cut corporate taxes, which will bring huge amounts of jobs back to the United States.”

If approved by the Senate, Mnuchin would bring vast Wall Street experience but no government experience to Treasury, something that could prove a hurdle in navigating the tricky politics of Washington.