DENVER—Colorado Rep. John Salazar says his little brother would make a terrific interior secretary.
John Salazar issued a statement Tuesday saying Colorado Sen. Ken Salazar has the experience, knowledge and dedication to make an “extraordinary steward” of the nation’s public lands.
Both men are Democrats.
An official familiar with President-elect Barack Obama’s Cabinet choices says Obama has chosen Ken Salazar for the job at Interior.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the selection hasn’t been made public.
John Salazar said his brother is a good fit for the job because he’s worked as a water-law attorney, as director of the state Department of Natural Resources, as the state attorney general and as a U.S. senator.
U.S. Attorney Troy Eid, a Republican, praised Ken Salazar as someone who crosses party lines “to protect our state’s people, land and water.”
Eid, who will leave office when Obama chooses a new U.S. attorney for Colorado, hinted that Salazar might be a model for Eid in pursuing another office.
“I’ll be keeping Ken’s approach in mind as I consider how best to continue my own statewide public service in the days ahead,” Eid said in a statement.
Rep. Ed Perlmutter, D-Colo., said Salazar “will be an outstanding secretary of the interior.”
“Sen. Salazar has been a leader on land, water and energy issues throughout Colorado and the West for decades,” Perlmutter said.
Harris Sherman, executive director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, said Salazar is uniquely qualified for the position of Interior secretary.
“There is no better person in the nation to step into this position. He will bring needed balance, judgment and experience to the nation’s natural resource programs during these pivotal times,” Sherman said. “This is great for the West and the entire country.”
