A Barren County native is on her way to becoming the next U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday advanced the nomination of Kelly Knight Craft. Craft’s nomination now goes to the full Senate where she is expected to win confirmation.
The Glasgow native was tapped by President Donald Trump at the urging of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. Craft has spent the past two years serving as the U.S. Ambassador to Canada. In a comments before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, McConnell credited her tenure with helping build the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement among other things.
“This is a record of significant achievement. It reflects hard work, careful study, and great skill," stated McConnell. "She’s won respect both at home and abroad."
Some Senate Democrats oppose Craft’s nomination, citing her views on climate change and reports of frequent absences from her post in Canada. Craft is a major Republican donor who is married to coal baron Joe Craft.
With final Senate confirmation, she would replace former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley who resigned earlier this year.
