Starks Nominated As New FCC Commissioner

• President Trump has named Geoffrey Starks as his pick to become the next member of the Federal Communications Commission for the remainder of a five-year term ending June 30, 2022, the White House said on Friday.

As Reuters reports, Starks, a Democrat who currently serves as Assistant Bureau Chief of the FCC’s enforcement bureau, has also served as senior counsel at the U.S. Justice Department. Starks’ nomination, which is subject to Senate confirmation, was backed by Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer. If confirmed, Starks would fill the FCC seat that was recently vacated by Mignon Clyburn, who announced her impending departure in April. Clyburn, one of two Democrats on the Commission, had served at the FCC since 2009. Her second term had officially ended in June 2017, although she had been allowed to continue serving.

In response to Starks’ nomination, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai issued the following statement, which read, “I congratulate Geoffrey Starks on his forthcoming nomination to serve as a Commissioner on the Federal Communications Commission. He has a distinguished record of public service, including in the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau, and I wish him all the best during the confirmation process.” NAB President & CEO Gordon Smith was equally effusive in his support, saying, “NAB strongly supports President Trump’s selection of Geoffrey Starks to a seat on the Federal Communications Commission. We endorse his swift confirmation.”