Four Contenders Emerge for Trump’s Labor Post After Puzder Pulls Out

The nomination comes one day after Andy Puzder, Trump’s first pick to lead the department, withdrew his nomination.

He has significant legal experienceU.S.

Acosta is the dean of the law school at Florida International University, but he’s no stranger to presidential appointments.

He became the first Latino assistant attorney general in charge of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division under President George W. Bush from 2003 to 2005.

In the 52-48 Senate, three Republican defections would have doomed Mr. Puzder if all 48 Democrats voted to deny him, and as many as a dozen GOP senators had indicated they wouldn’t back the nomination.

Donald Trump’s new Labor secretary nominee, Alexander Acosta, has little in common with the former nominee, Andrew Puzder. “We are proud that he is the first Hispanic nominated to serve in President Trump’s cabinet”, FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg said in a statement.

“I thank the President and his staff for their confidence in me and I am eager to work tirelessly on behalf of the American worker”, Acosta said in a statement. If confirmed by the Senate, he will be tackling franchisee and small business issues that are presently on hold.

Acosta’s nomination came after Puzder, CEO of Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s parent CKE Restaurants Holdings Inc., withdrew Wednesday, on the eve of his confirmation, hearing after a number of Republican senators said they would not support him.

That could help assure some anxious observers from both parties “that Trump is not intent on assembling some kind of rogue cabinet”, said CNBC. “Together, workers will stay in the streets to demand a Labor secretary who is a champion for working people and fights to represent their interests in our economy”. After receiving his undergraduate and law degrees from Harvard, Acosta served as a law clerk to Supreme Court justice Samuel Alito.

Claiming Puzder’s withdrawal as their victory, Democrates had accused Puzder of mistreating his workers, opposing increasing minimum wage and supporting automation in workplaces.

In the end, Acosta is appearing to be a stronger nominee. Following growing bipartisan opposition, Puzder did not specify why he dropped out but said he made the decision “after careful consideration and discussions with my family”.

Wade Henderson, president of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, said the Senate needed “to conduct a thorough review” of Acosta after Puzder’s failed nomination.