Post-ambassadorial politics

South Carolina's new governor Nikki Haley has chosen the person in charge of her transition team and it's a name very familiar to Canadians, we're pleased to report.   It's actually been quite a good few weeks for David  Wilkins, the former U.S. ambassador to Canada -- he's also been working closely with Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall, who emerged victorious from last week's showdown on potash. Here's today's announcement from South Carolina:

 

At a news conference this morning, South Carolina's Governor-elect Nikki Haley, announced she has tapped David Wilkins to chair her transition team.   Wilkins is the former US Ambassador to Canada and long-time member of the South Carolina House, having served 25 years – 11 of them as speaker of the House.  Haley was elected to the House when Wilkins was serving as speaker.

 

Nikki Haley is the first woman and the first Indian-American to win South Carolina's  top office. The 38-year-old mother of two said Ambassador Wilkins, who has seen the transition of five SC governors, brings years of experience and insight to the transition job.  The role of Wilkins and the transition team is to make recommendations to the new governor on whom to place in top Cabinet and administrative posts.

 

In accepting the position, Ambassador Wilkins said, "It's our goal that the governor-elect's transition team work – and work hard – to establish a foundation of strength in which Governor Haley can confidently begin her work on behalf of our state."

 

Haley will  assume the governorship officially upon her Inauguration in January.