The Washington Post newspaper reported Heins’ candidacy in its In The Loop blogon Wednesday.
“We’re hearing the White House is eyeing Minnesota lawyer, human rights advocate and, of course, $1 million-plus bundler Samuel D. Heins for the job,” it reported.
Heins founded the Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights, sits on the board of the ACLU union in Minnesota, and co-founded the Center for Victims of Torture in the state.
Tsunis withdrew his candidacy in December with the words: “It is over”.
The Greek-American hotelier had been ridiculed for his bungling performance in a Senate confirmation hearing in January, during which he called Norway's prime minister a "president" and referred to the Progress Party as "fringe elements" that "spew their hatred” — even though it is part of Norway's coalition government.
With 15 nominee ambassadors still awaiting Senate approval and, according to the blog “a lot more” nominees, Norway could still have a while to wait before it gets its new ambassador.
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