President Joe Biden will nominate longtime Milwaukee mayor Tom Barrett as the new United States ambassador to Luxembourg. 

Barrett has served as mayor of Milwaukee since 2004, most recently winning his reelection campaign in April 2020 over state senator Lena Taylor. 

"I am honored by the president's actions and humbled by the trust President Biden has placed in me," Barrett said at a press conference held early Wednesday evening at the mayor's office. "If confirmed by the Senate, I look forward to the opportunity to serve the interests of the United States and President Biden."

Barrett's nomination will have to be confirmed by the Senate before he officially departs as mayor and takes the position as U.S. ambassador to Luxembourg – a process many expect will take months. 

As for the position he will eventually vacate, once Barrett is confirmed as ambassador and steps down, Milwaukee Common Council President Cavalier Johnson would take over as acting mayor as the next in the line of succession while a special election would need to be called to determine Barrett's replacement. When Barrett will step down and when the special election will take place have yet to be determined or announced. 

"It is a remarkable privilege to be the mayor of Milwaukee. In the period between my nomination and final Senate consideration, I will continue to focus my full attention on mayoral duties, my obligations to the people of this great city," Barrett said in Wednesday's press conference.

Stay tuned to OnMilwaukee for more updates. In the meantime, here's some information on the country that just snatched away our mayor: