Hung Cao
Acting Navy Secretary (Apr 2026); confirmed Under Secretary 52-45; lost 2024 Virginia Senate race to Tim Kaine
Acting Secretary of the Navy· United States · in office since Apr 22, 2026 · in the record since Oct 2025
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Roles
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Hung Cao became acting Secretary of the Navy after Secretary John Phelan's abrupt departure.
1 source
- NPR
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said John Phelan, the Navy's top civilian official, was "departing the administration, effective immediately." Navy Undersecretary Hung Cao will become acting secretary of the Navy.
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The Senate confirmed Hung Cao as Under Secretary of the Navy by a 52-45 vote on October 1, 2025.
1 source
- Stars and Stripes — Senate confirms Hung Cao as Navy undersecretary
Cao was confirmed as the service's second-ranking civilian leader in a 52-45 vote, reflecting the reservations many Democrats had about his nomination. Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska also voted against Cao's confirmation.
Figures
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Cao's 2024 U.S. Senate campaign in Virginia raised $9,832,460 and spent $9,517,135; he lost to Tim Kaine 45.4% to 54.4%.$9.8M
1 source
- Ballotpedia — Hung CaoCampaign finance table (receipts, disbursements, cash on hand)
Hung Cao Republican Party $9,832,460 $9,517,135 $407,806 As of December 31, 2024