(CBS DETROIT) – President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Pete Hoekstra, chairman of the Republican Party of Michigan, as US ambassador to Canada.
Hoekstra, who was was appointed chairman earlier this yearpreviously served as U.S. House Representative in Michigan’s 2nd District and U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands during Trump’s first term.
“He has done an excellent job as United States Ambassador to the Netherlands during our first four years, and I am confident he will continue to represent our country well in this new role,” Trump said in a statement on Wednesday.
After the announcement, Hoekstra posted on X: “Honoured for the opportunity to serve. Thank you, Mr. President.”
Hoekstra was recognized as chair of the Michigan GOP after Kristina Karamo was voted out of office in January. He was endorsed by Trump for the role and received support from the Republican National Committee.
A judge from Kent County ruled that Karamo had been properly removed from her role and could no longer maintain this position. However, she refused to resign and asked the Michigan Court of Appeals to overturn the ruling during the summer.
In addition to Hoekstra, Trump also nominated former acting U.S. Attorney General Matthew Whitaker, ambassador to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, ambassador to Israel.
A person familiar with the ongoing selection process told CBS News that the president-elect plans to announce all of his Cabinet-level picks before Thanksgiving.
