Atlanta

Georgia state Rep. Calvin Smyre to nominated as next ambassador to Dominican Republic

ATLANTA — Channel 2 Action News has learned that President Joe Biden plans to nominate state Rep. Calvin Smyre to be the next ambassador to the Dominican Republic.

Smyre’s office confirmed the news and sent a statement to Channel 2′s Richard Elliot, saying:

“I am deeply honored to be nominated by President Biden to serve as the Ambassador to the Dominican Republic. If confirmed, I look forward to advancing the interests of the United States in the Dominican Republic and our relationship with the Dominican government. As a longtime businessman and public servant, I will bring my background and experience to continue the significant work with an important economic partner in the Caribbean.”

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If confirmed by the Senate, the retired Synovus banking executive will head to the Dominican Republic at a time when the island nation is confronted by new challenges.

Smyre has served in the Georgia House since 1974 making him one of the longest serving House members in state history.

He was the House Minority Leader for years before stepping down.

Skilled at relationship-building, Smyre was at the center of the negotiations when then-Gov. Roy Barnes decided to pull down Georgia’s 1956 flag and its Confederate emblem. As chairman of the House Rules Committee in the late 1990s and early 2000s, he had a say in every significant piece of legislation under the Gold Dome.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution contributed to this article.

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