McConnell recommending US ambassador to Canada as new UN ambassador

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has spoken with President Trump about nominating Ambassador to Canada Kelly Craft to be the next UN ambassador.

A McConnell spokesperson confirmed to The Hill that the senator had spoken with the president to recommend Craft for the role. The news was first reported by Axios Thursday.

{mosads}Craft is also from Kentucky and, along with her husband, billionaire coal CEO Joe Craft, is one of the biggest Republican donors in the Bluegrass State. Insider Louisville reported last month that Craft was being considered as a potential lieutenant governor candidate for Gov. Matt Bevin’s (R) reelection bid later this year.

The UN position has been up for grabs since Nikki Haley unexpectedly resigned in October. State Department Spokeswoman Heather Nauert was nominated for the job in December, but withdrew her name from consideration last week, citing family issues.

Craft could bring foreign policy experience to the job, something that critics claimed both Haley and Nauert lacked.

Politico reported Wednesday that the White House is also in discussions with Iraq War veteran and former Michigan Senate Candidate John James to fill to fill the UN vacancy. James had met with several White House officials about the position before Nauert was nominated, with many considering him to be a runner up.

“It’s an honor to be considered and I’m looking forward to getting the call should it come,” James said on Fox News Wednesday, saying he was “someone who understands the growing spheres of communism around the world.”

However, James could face criticism that he too lacks foreign policy experience.

The White House is also reportedly considering German Ambassador Ric Grenell for the job.