U.S. senators representing North Dakota and Minnesota had a mixed reaction to President Obama's nomination of Sam Heins to the post of ambassador to Norway.
Minnesota Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, both Democrats, expressed support for the pick, which was announced Wednesday afternoon.
"I believe Sam Heins is an excellent choice for the job of Ambassador to Norway, and I look forward to working on his confirmation in the Senate," Franken said in a statement. Klobuchar said she had "no doubt" Heins would be a "great fit for this position."
Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, meanwhile, is reviewing Heins' credentials, a spokeswoman said. Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., "looks forward to meeting with Mr. Heins and learning more about him during his confirmation hearing," according to a statement provided by his office.
Heins' nomination comes after George Tsunis dropped his name from consideration for the post in December. He was criticized for never visiting Norway and for a rocky confirmation hearing in which he demonstrated a lack of knowledge about the country's political structure.
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All four senators representing North Dakota and Minnesota, which have large Norwegian-American populations, had opposed Tsunis' nomination.
Heins is a Minneapolis lawyer and a major donor for Obama during his 2012 campaign. He founded Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights.
Heins' nomination must be approved by the U.S. Senate.
