Nixed Interior nominee appointed to different department role 

An official President Biden originally wanted to nominate to be second in command at the Interior Department has found a new political position in the agency after reported opposition from swing-vote senators. 

Elizabeth Klein, who had been slated to be nominated as Interior’s deputy secretary, will now instead be senior counselor to the secretary. 

“I’m so proud to welcome our newest colleagues to the team, and I have full confidence in their ability to carry out Interior’s mission,” chief of staff Jennifer Van der Heide said in a statement on the appointment of Klein and others.

The White House confirmed to The Hill last month that it would no longer nominate Klein, whose nomination had not been formally sent to the Senate. 

Politico reported that she faced opposition from Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), while The Washington Post reported that Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) also objected to her nomination. 

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland previously indicated to reporters that Klein would still have a role at the agency. 

Klein’s new role was announced alongside other political officials, including Raina Thiele, who will serve as senior adviser for Alaska affairs and strategic priorities, and Heather Barmore, who will serve as director of digital strategy.

The department said in a statement that more than half of its political team members identify as Black, Indigenous or people of color and that 75 percent identify as women.