Bakkt CEO Kelly Loeffler officially becoming US senator

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Georgia Senator Johnny Isakson is set to retire at the end of this year. This opened a vacancy that the governor of the state, Brian Kemp, is able to fill. One of the candidates for the position was U.S. Representative Doug Collins, but another name was thrown in that perked a lot of people’s interest. Kelly Loeffler, the CEO of the Bakkt cryptocurrency futures exchange, was suggested as a replacement, and in a move that surprised many, has now been chosen by Governor Collins, the Washington Post reported.

Kemp apparently feels that a non-politician would be the best option for the spot, and he’s probably right. By bringing in someone who hasn’t been a part of the political vehicle, a fresh view could be offered on how to move the country forward. The governor explained at a news conference, “Like Senator [David] Perdue, she’s an outsider. Like Ivanka Trump, she’s a smart, accomplished and savvy business executive. And like our president, Kelly is ready to take on the status quo, the politically correct and the special interests… She knows that Washington is fundamentally broken.”

Loeffler is not only the CEO of Bakkt, but also the wife of the CEO of Intercontinental Exchange and chairman of the New York Stock Exchange, Jeffrey C. Sprecher. She is also co-owner of the Women’s NBA’s Atlanta Dream and a self-described “lifelong conservative.” She adds of her future as a senator, “No one will work harder for our state, for our nation, for our president, for our conservative values. Here’s the thing: Contrary to what you might see in the media, not every strong American woman is liberal. Many of us are conservative — and proud of it.”

The appointment will only be temporary—if Loeffler wants to stay on, she’ll have to fight for her seat in next November’s election. She has reportedly already begun to put together a war chest of funds to campaign for the position and is said to be ready to spend more than $20 million on the seat if necessary.

She’ll already have the support of at least a few Capitol Hill insiders, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. He released a statement about Loeffler, asserting, “Ms. Loeffler has an impressive record in business and community leadership. I am confident she is well prepared to continue Sen. Isakson’s historic legacy of advocating for veterans, strengthening our national defense, and fighting for middle-class families.”