Ron Volesky, a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, knows it's a long shot but he is asking the White House to nominate him as the new assistant secretary for Indian affairs.

In a letter to President Bush, Volesky said being a Democrat is probably a problem for the Republican administration. "But I also believe that the best person for this position will be chosen by your administration regardless of party," the letter said, according to the Associated Press.

Volesky is a lawyer, former state lawmaker and current Huron County Commission member. He is one of several people to express interest in the BIA job, which was vacated by the resignation of entrepreneur Dave Anderson in February.

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Volesky wants to lead BIA (AP 5/20

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