The US President George W. Bush named Rob Portman, an Ohio Republican, as US trade representative. He will replace Robert Zoellick named trade representative in January.

The switch comes amid George Bush’s nominations after his re-election in November.

Portman was first elected to Congress in 1992. He also worked in the administration of Bush’s father George H.W. Bush as associate counsel and director of the White House Office of Legislative Affairs.

Rob Portman was a member of a committee responsible for creating the Department of Homeland Security.

The US Senate still has to approve Mr. Portman before he assumes the post of U.S. Trade Representative.