There’s another vacancy on the Postal Service’s Board of Governors: Robert Duncan resigned effective March 27. According to his letter of resignation that was included in the Postal Service’s press release, Duncan is now
“coping with a chronic and progressive health condition that is preventing me from giving this role the full time and attention it deserves.”
A supporter of both the president and former Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, Duncan devoted much of his letter to praising DeJoy and his Plan, and spoke with “confidence that this work [i.e., The Plan] can and will get done.”
Duncan was one of the governors appointed during the president’s earlier administration to fill the several vacancies that had built up while a political snit in Congress was blocking confirmations. Originally nominated October 30, 2017, and confirmed August 28, 2018, to complete a vacant term ending on December 8 that year, Duncan was renominated for a full seven-year term on January 16, 2019, and confirmed December 5, 2019. Had he not resigned, his term would have ended this coming December 8 though, like all governors, he could have stayed another year or until his successor would be seated, whichever came earlier.
Duncan’s departure means there are now four open governor seats (the others were formerly occupied by Anton Hajjar, Donald Moak, and William Zollars), with a fifth to occur on December 8 when the carryover year of Roman Martinez IV ends. (The remaining governors will be Derek Kan, Amber McReynolds, Ron Stroman, and Dan Tangherlini.)
The former president had submitted four nominations late last year but the Senate took no action before the end of the 118th Congress.
The Board cannot have more than five members from the same political party, and it now has two from each plus an independent, meaning no more than three from either party could be among the nominees.
Given the current political climate in Washington, and the administration’s concerns over the USPS (that many believe contributed to the ousting of former Postmaster General Louis DeJoy), there’s more than the usual speculation over potential nominees. Much of DeJoy’s Plan had become controversial, so observers are keenly watching who could be seated as governors, as they will not only select DeJoy’s successor but, directly or indirectly, determine the extent to which DeJoy’s Plan will be implemented.
If you're on this page, it's likely because you have challenges to find solutions for or a question to answer. Fortunately, you've come to the right place. Click below to download our 2023 Services brochure to learn just how much we have to offer. Leave your name and email if you'd like us to stay in touch.
The brochure is a PDF that will open in a new browser window. Download, read, share, and let us know if you have questions.