President-elect Donald Trump nominated outgoing Oregon U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer as his pick to serve as U.S. Labor Secretary.

“Lori has worked tirelessly with both Business and Labor to build America’s workforce, and support the hardworking men and women of America. I look forward to working with her to create tremendous opportunity for American Workers, to expand Training and Apprenticeships, to grow wages and improve working conditions, to bring back our Manufacturing jobs. Together, we will achieve historic cooperation between Business and Labor that will restore the American Dream for Working Families,” Trump wrote, in part, in a statement on DeRemer’s nomination.

Chavez-DeRemer posted to the social media platform, X, thanking the former president on the nomination:

Trump has promised to bring manufacturing back to the states and even floated the idea of ending taxes on tips and overtime.

"It's something of a surprise. She doesn't really have an expertise in big business, don't really an expertise with unions, except kind of a sidelight," political science professor Jim Moore told KATU.

The U.S. Labor Secretary is responsible for enforcing and suggesting laws involving labor unions, the workplace, and issues relating to business-employee relationships.

Chavez-DeRemer won office in Oregon’s 5th Congressional District in 2022 but lost a highly competitive reelection bid to Democratic nominee and state Rep. Janelle Bynum during this year's election.

Because of her defeat in November, Chavez-DeRemer’s nomination will not affect the Republican majority in the House.

However, Moore said Chavez-Dermer is a big deal for Trump, especially because her ties with the Teamsters Union, who did not support Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee this year.

"This very easily could be seen as a way for him to reward the Teamsters for, in effect, sitting out the election, because she is associated with the Teamsters because of her father's work," Moore said.

Chavez-DeRemer is deeply rooted in Happy Valley. In fact, it is where she served as mayor for several years. She's headed now from once serving at City Hall to possibly serving in the White House, and that has some people excited.

"I think it's going to be more for Oregon. She just believes in the people of Oregon," Happy Valley resident John Shepherd said.

KATU has reached out to Chavez-DeRemer’s office for comment on her nomination. So far, we have not received a response.

Last time an Oregonian was tasked to serve in the White House was former Portland Mayor Neil Goldschmidt as Transportation Secretary. That was more than 40 years ago.

"It's great for Oregon. It means we will actually have a seat at the table, where decisions are made when cabinet meetings are taking place," Moore said.