President Donald Trump announced Monday that he has nominated San Diego hotelier Doug Manchester to become the next United States ambassador to the Bahamas.
The selection comes after months of rumors that Manchester, a major Trump fundraiser, would be picked for the top diplomatic post to the island-nation.
A statement from the administration described Manchester, the former publisher of The San Diego Union-Tribune, as a "leading industrialist with accomplishments on a national and international scale" in several industries.
The diplomatic relationship between the U.S. and Bahamas is warm but not well-watched. The countries are partners in counternarcotics and anti-human trafficking operations in the Caribbean. The embassy's consular services can be of vital help to American tourists, like the ones who recently found trouble after the disastrous Fyre Festival.
Manchester did not return a voicemail message requesting comment on the nomination Monday.
"In D.C. for ambassador training," Manchester texted to a San Diego Union-Tribune reporter working on a separate article.
Manchester was one of Trump's early political backers and supported the now-president with his time, money and network. Manchester and his wife, Geniya Manchester, each gave $454,800 to Trump's political committee and Trump-supporting Super PACS.
Manchester also helped organize a large campaign rally last May at the San Diego Convention Center (where Trump quipped that Manchester could build the wall at the border with Mexico) and planned multimillion dollar fundraisers. Manchester, who has no foreign policy experience, will require Senate confirmation to become ambassador.
Whispers of the nomination began earlier this year after a Bahamas news website reported that Manchester was being considered for the assignment. The article, which is no longer readily available, said that Manchester has a home in the upscale Lyford Cay community, one of the world's most exclusive enclaves.
The embassy is currently run by Charge d'Affaires Lisa A. Johnson.
Manchester made his name in real estate development, particularly in the hospitality industry. Manchester is currently working on Pacific Gateway, a $1.3 billion project that will be built on the Navy Broadway Complex site. The downtown development on San Diego Bay has been in the making for over a decade.
He also opened luxury resort Grand Del Mar, which was recently taken over by the Fairmont hotel chain. He also developed the Manchester Grand Hyatt, a hotel with 150,000 square feet of event space. Manchester no longer owns that property, but it still bears his name.
Manchester was also a pivotal player behind the Convention Center, a massive venue that, 26 years after it opened, hosted the Trump campaign rally.
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