WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Tuesday nominated former Sen. Jeff Flake to serve as ambassador to Turkey, extending a high-profile diplomatic post to the anti-Trump Republican.
Flake served as one of several prominent GOP surrogates for Biden during the 2020 presidential campaign, alongside people like Cindy McCain — the widow of the late Sen. John McCain, who served alongside Flake from Arizona up until his death in 2018.
Flake and Cindy McCain were among those symbolically censured by the state Republican Party for running afoul of former President Donald Trump in the months after the election. Ex-senators typically enjoy a breezy reception from their former colleagues during the confirmation process, but it is possible that Flake’s criticisms of the former president could raise concerns from Republicans — or Trump himself.
Like Flake, McCain was rewarded by the Biden administration for her support with a nomination to an ambassadorship. Last month she was tapped to serve as the U.S. representative to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture.
Also on Tuesday, Biden nominated Kent Logsdon to serve as ambassador to Moldova.
Nahal Toosi contributed to this report.