President Biden with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti in January 2020. Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images
President Biden on Friday nominated Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti (D) to serve as ambassador to India, pending Senate confirmation.
Why it matters: This is one of a handful of high-profile picks for ambassadorships that Biden has made since taking office, and Garcetti may be dispatched amid a surge in COVID-19 infections in India.
- Garcetti's confirmation would also come as the United State's second-largest city faces record homelessness and struggles with aging infrastructure.
The big picture: Biden also nominated the Obama Foundation's Bernadette Meehan for the ambassadorship to Chile.
- He nominated Denise Campbell Bauer, who led Women for Biden during 2020 presidential election, for the post in Monaco and Peter D. Haas for Bangladesh.
Flashback: Garcetti considered running for president in 2020 and was later discussed as a potential member of Biden’s Cabinet last year before voluntarily removing himself in December.
- Garcetti's prospects as a Cabinet member faded after a sexual harassment lawsuit was filed against one of his former aides by one of the mayor's longtime bodyguards.
- The mayor was one of Biden's national campaign co-chairs and served on the committee that vetted his pool of vice presidential contenders.
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