ATLANTA — President-elect Donald Trump announced he has nominated former Congressman Dr. Dave Weldon to serve as the director of the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Trump said Weldon has been a medical doctor for 40 years and is an Army veteran.
The Associated Press said Weldon recently ran for a Florida state legislative seat and lost and that Trump backed the other candidate to win. However, he spent many years as a Florida Congressman.
"Dave has been a respected conservative leader on fiscal and social issues, and served on the Labor/HHS Appropriations Subcommittee, working for Accountability on HHS and CDC Policy and Budgeting," Trump said in his statement on the nomination. "Dave also served in a leading role in Government Oversight and Reform Committee Hearings, addressing issues within HHS and CDC."
"The current health of Americans is critical, and CDC will play a big role in helping to ensure Americans have the tools and resources they need to understand the underlying causes of disease, and the solutions to cure these diseases," Trump said. "As a father of two and a husband of 45 years, Dave understands American Family Values, and views health as one of utmost importance."
