Pasco Mayor Peter Serrano, who ran unsuccessfully as a Republican last year for state attorney general, has been tapped as the new U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.

His selection will have to be considered by the U.S. Senate, and Serrano said Thursday that he is “excited and waiting for it to be finalized.” He declined to provide further comment.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office, located in Spokane, also declined to comment.

The appointment by President Donald Trump would effectively end the role of acting U.S. Attorney Stephanie Van Marter, who assumed the position July 7 after the resignation of acting U.S. Attorney Richard Barker.

Barker resigned after five months in office.

During a debate with Nick Brown, the eventual winner of the state attorney general race, Serra

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