A conservative Republican from Virginia who served in Congress for five years has been nominated by President Trump as the next US ambassador to Australia, a post that’s been vacant for over two years.
David Brat, who holds a PhD in economics, has worked at Liberty University School of Business since 2019 after his term in the US House of Representatives ended.
If Brat’s nomination as ambassador is approved by the Senate, he will replace Democrat Caroline Kennedy, who departed Canberra shortly after Mr Trump’s election win in 2024.
Ms Kennedy, the only surviving child of former Democratic president John F. Kennedy, was appointed under the Biden administration.
In a statement Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the Albanese Government welcomed the President’s nomination of the next US Ambassador to Australia.
“We respect the US Senate’s confirmation process and look forward to seeing that take place.”
“The United States is our closest ally, principal strategic partner and largest source of investment,” she added.
In a 2011 essay the economics professor advocated for a system that “synthesize[s] Christianity and capitalism” and warned that if society doesn’t shape up, a Hitler-like figure could rise up. Last year Mr Brat spoke out strongly in favour of US President Donald Trump’s tariffs, arguing they promote fair trade, protect American jobs, and encourage domestic manufacturing, despite potential short-term costs.
Mr Brat represented Virginia’s seventh congressional district in the US House of Representatives for the Republicans and was a member of the Freedom Caucus.
He was first elected in 2014 and served two terms before losing his seat in 2018.
The ambassador position is yet to be finalised as the appointment needs to be ratified by the US Senate.
- with AAP
Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.
Sign up for our emails