Credit: /ca.usembassy.gov/  Kelly Knight Craft, U.S. Ambassador to Canada

By Gary Raynaldo    DIPLOMATIC TIMES

President Trump on Friday announced Kelly Knight Craft, the current ambassador to Canada, as his nominee to become the next United States ambassador to the United Nations. Craft will replace Nikki Haley, who resigned last year to spend more time with her family. Craft previously ran a marketing consulting firm and served in the administration of George W. Bush as part of the U.S. delegation to the United Nations General Assembly. The Glasgow, Ky., native has served on the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees. U.S. Ambassador to Canada Craft serves as the President’s personal representative to the government and people of Canada.  She leads the U.S. Mission to Canada, which comprises the Embassy in Ottawa and seven Consulates located across Canada.

“I am pleased to announce that Kelly Knight Craft, our current Ambassador to Canada, is being nominated to be United States Ambassador to the United Nations. Kelly has done an outstanding job representing our Nation and I have no doubt that, under her leadership, our Country will be represented at the highest level. Congratulations to Kelly and her entire family!”

President Trump via Twitter 

Just last week , Heather Nauert, the former Fox News anchor turned State Department spokesperson, withdrew her name from consideration as the US Ambassador to the UN.

“I am very pleased that President Trump has announced his intent to nominate Ambassador Kelly Craft to be our next U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.” 

Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo said in a statement. 

“Ambassador Craft has been an outstanding advocate for America’s national security and economic interests in Canada and she is extremely well-qualified to do the same at the United Nations. I look forward to her confirmation and continuing to work with her at the United Nations.”

Craft, 56, is the first woman to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Canada. She is married to billionaire coal-mining executive Joe Craft, and they are major Republican donors.