WASHINGTON (Reuters): United States President Joe Biden is planning to announce selecting Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti as his ambassador to India.
Garcetti’s selection, which has long been anticipated, is one of four picks in the latest round of ambassadors coming from the President. Garcetti in a recent statement said that he is “honored to accept” the President’s nomination.
“I have committed my life to service —- as an activist, as a teacher, as a naval officer, as a public servant, and if confirmed, next as an ambassador. Part of that commitment means that when your nation calls, you answer that call. And should I be confirmed, I’ll bring this same energy, commitment, and love for this city to my new role and will forge partnerships and connections that will help Los Angeles,” Garcetti said.
The other three set to be nominated for ambassadorships are: Denise Campbell Bauer, for ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the French Republic and to the Principality of Monaco; Peter D. Haas, for ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to People’s Republic of Bangladesh; Bernadette M. Meehan, for ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the Republic of Chile.
Bauer — a former journalist and nonprofit leader — previously served as US Ambassador to Belgium from 2013 to 2017, after having been nominated by former President Barack Obama. In 2019, Bauer served as Executive Director of Women for Biden. She is a longtime Democratic donor and was on Biden’s bundler list, which was made up of individuals who raised at least $100,000 for his campaign or affiliated joint fundraising committees.
Biden first announced a selection of overseas envoys in April, several months into his term, putting him behind the pace set by his most recent predecessors and leading to early frustrations among some career State Department officials and big-time Democratic donors.
