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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes is on among the finalists to succeed resigning Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke.
"With so many stellar public servants on the shortlist, it's an honor to even be thought of as a possible replacement," Reyes, a Republican, said in a statement. "The president should know he has our support and prayers as he makes this very important decision."
Zinke, a former GOP Montana congressman, submitted his resignation to President Donald Trump over the weekend amid pressure to step down because of investigations tied to his real estate dealings in his home state and his conduct in office.
Reyes said Zinke did a "remarkable" job working with local officials in land management decisions.
"These public land decisions are core to the quality of life and economic health of people in Utah and across the western United States," Reyes said. "For western America, there will be few decisions as consequential as choosing the next secretary of the interior."
Reyes, who backed Trump in the 2016 election, also was on the list to head the Federal Trade Commission last year.
Related:
Utah leaders, environmentalists react to Zinke resignation
Reaction to the resignation of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke was mixed in Utah. Members of the state's congressional delegation were complementary, but local environmental groups expressed ironic gratitude on the news of Zinke's impending departure.Washington Post reported Saturday that the White House may also consider Rep. Rob Bishop, who will lose his chairmanship of the House Natural Resources Committee when the new Congress begins in January. He has said he will not seek re-election in 2020.
Bishop's office did not immediately respond for comment.
Bloomberg put Reyes on a list of possible contenders for the interior job that includes Cynthia Lummis, a former Wyoming congresswoman; departing Rep. Raul Labrador, R-Idaho; Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt; Idaho Gov. Butch Otter; Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., who lost his re-election bid in November; Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers R-Wash., and outgoing Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.
Interior secretaries typically come from western states.
