Massachusetts State Representative Claire Cronin
By Irish Echo Staff
Claire D. Cronin of Massachusetts has been nominated by President Biden to be the new U.S. Ambassador to Ireland.
Assuming confirmation by the U.S. Senate, Cronin will become the third woman to hold the coveted diplomatic posting.
State Representative Cronin, who is an attorney, is the first woman to serve as Majority Leader in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
Cronin, 61, was a leading surrogate and a fund-raising bundler for Biden’s presidential bid in Massachusetts and appeared on national television during last summer’s Democratic National Convention when she cast the state’s nominating votes for him, the Boston Globe reported.
"Her selection was foreshadowed weeks ago, after the website IrishCentral reported she was 'set to soon be revealed' as Biden’s choice, fueling speculation about her future. At the time, two people with knowledge of the process told the Globe that the five-term lawmaker from Easton was being vetted by the Biden administration," the Globe report added.
“I am deeply honored to be nominated by President Biden for ambassador to Ireland, especially given the President’s and my own Irish roots,” Cronin said in a statement released by the White House Wednesday.
“If confirmed, I look forward to serving as ambassador and working with our partners in Ireland on both the challenges and opportunities ahead of us.”
Congressman Richard Neal, chairman of the Friends of Ireland in Congress, welcomed the nomination.
“I am delighted that State Representative Claire Cronin has been nominated by President Biden to be the next United States Ambassador to Ireland," said Neal in a statement.
"She made history by being the first woman to serve as Majority Leader in the Massachusetts Legislature, and once confirmed by the Senate, will play a significant in role in helping to strengthen the bonds between the United States and Ireland.
"This is an important posting and that is why I look forward to working closely with the Ambassador-Designate on a range of issues to reinforce and expand our unique transatlantic partnership."
Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald also welcomed the choice of Cronin.
"I welcome the nomination of the new U.S. Ambassador to Dublin and have every confidence in President Biden’s choice of Claire Cronin," said McDonald.
"The U.S. Ambassador to Ireland is the embodiment of the special relationship between our nations; a relationship of family, friendship and shared values that spans an ocean.
"The role of Ambassador is central as we face the challenges of Covid-19 and Brexit, building economic links and prosperity and realizing the transformational potential of the Good Friday Agreement.
"I hope for a speedy confirmation process and look forward to working with Ambassador Cronin, when appointed, in Dublin.
"The position of Ambassador would be complimented by the appointment of a Presidential Special Envoy to the North to safeguard agreements and to ensure continued progress."
Assuming Senate approval, Ambassador-Designate Cronin will succeed Ohio's Edward Crawford as America's top diplomat in Dublin. Crawford vacated his post back in January.
The two women to previously serve in Dublin were Margaret Heckler and Jean Kennedy Smith.
