White House Expected to Name Kevin Martin As FCC Chairman

WASHINGTON -- The White House is expected to name Kevin Martin as the new chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, succeeding Michael Powell, who is stepping down as the nation's top communications regulator this week, an administration official told The Wall Street Journal.

Mr. Martin was considered a frontrunner for the job given his strong ties to the Bush administration as well as his four-year tenure on the FCC. After working on President Bush's election campaign and his transition team, Mr. Martin was chosen for a seat on the five-member commission in 2001. His wife, Catherine, is currently a special assistant to the president on economic policy and previously worked for Vice President Cheney.

Though Mr. Martin clashed with Mr. Powell over local-phone competition rules in 2003, he has followed the party line since, especially on the importance of rolling out high-speed Internet connections nationwide. The president has set a date of 2007 for that to happen.

Because he already serves on the commission, Mr. Martin wouldn't need to be confirmed by the Senate. His elevation opens up the slot for another Republican appointee on the five-member FCC, as would the expected departure of fellow Republican Commissioner Kathleen Abernathy.

-By Anne Marie Squeo; The Wall Street Journal; 202-862-9213

-By John McKinnon; The Wall Street Journal; 202-862-9217

(END) Dow Jones Newswires"

Posted to the site on 16th March 2005