After long wait, Atlantan OK’d for ambassador post

A Georgian will soon be on his way to Luxembourg City.

The U.S. Senate on Thursday voted along party lines to confirm Atlanta attorney Randy Evans to be the nation’s ambassador to Luxembourg. The final vote was 48-43.

Evans “understands the complex issues the United States faces across the globe and is committed to maintaining strong relationships with our European allies,” U.S. Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., said in a statement. “I know our country will be represented by our nation’s very best in Luxembourg.”

Evans had one of the longest waits to be confirmed of any of President Donald Trump’s diplomatic nominees. The White House tapped him for the position more than eight months ago, but Evans got caught up in a broader partisan impasse over executive branch nominees. Senate Democrats had also voiced concern about Evans’ role implementing a voter ID law in 2006 as a member of the State Election Board.

Evans has been a longtime figure in Georgia’s Republican circles, counting former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Gov. Nathan Deal among his clients. He also helped track delegates’ votes at the Republican National Convention in 2016 when Trump’s allies feared a possible rebellion.

U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., introduced Evans at his confirmation hearing in November before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

He said in a statement that he was “delighted” by Evans’ confirmation on Thursday.

“He is exactly the person we need to have in a place of such strategic importance to the United States,” Isak- son said.

Tiny, landlocked Luxem- bourg is considered highly important to the U.S. because it’s become a global investment hub, especially after the United Kingdom announced plans to leave the European Union. It’s also rumored to house significant assets from China, Iran and Russia.

Randy Evans has been confirmed as the U.S. ambassador to Luxembourg.