With President-elect Donald Trump’s intention to nominate John Ratcliffe as CIA director, it appears Devin Nunes will remain heading Trump’s media company.

The original version of this story published earlier on Tuesday — before Trump’s announcement — spoke with GOP insiders about the possibility that the former Central Valley congressmember join the administration.

Nunes quit in the middle of his 10th term at the end of 2021 to serve as CEO of Trump Media & Technology Group, parent company of Truth Social.

Who else with Valley ties might end up working in the Trump administration?

GV Wire spoke with several Republican insiders on the record and on background about possible connections.

If David Bernhardt — a one-time lobbyist for Fresno-based Westlands Water District — returns as Interior secretary, local political consultant Tal Cloud said another local could follow. Bernhardt served from 2019 through 2021.

Cole Rojewski, worked in the first Trump term in Interior’s congressional and legislative affairs division. A Central Valley native, he currently runs a consulting firm, RBW Group in Washington, DC.

Rojewski has also worked in the congressional offices for Central Valley representatives Nunes, David Valadao, and Connie Conway.

He declined comment about his future plans.

Cloud and Brooke Ashjian — another local GOP political pundit — agree that another prominent former Central Valley congressmember, former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, is unlikely to serve.

If there was a position, pundits said, it would be Chief of Staff. Trump already named Susie Wiles.

“(Working for Trump) really doesn’t suit his skill set to be in the administration. He’s got other skills I think that would be stronger,” Cloud said.

Maldonado as Ag Secretary?

Several agriculture publications mentioned Abel Maldonado — the former California lieutenant governor from Central Valley-adjacent Santa Maria — as a candidate for agriculture secretary. He now runs a vineyard.

Pro Farmer cites sources saying Maldonado is “at or near the top of possibilities.”

Other candidates include American Farm Bureau president Zippy Duvall, Texas ag commissioner Sid Miller, and Congressmember Glenn Thompson, R-Pennsylvania, chair of the agriculture committee.

After more than a decade out of the political spotlight, Maldonado re-emerged as a Trump advocate. He made several appearances on CNN in October, and campaigned with Trump in battleground states.

“We’re looking for somebody who obviously understands the specialty crops that we grow here in California, as well as the importance of this region and state when it comes to the diversity of the nation’s plate,” Fresno County Farm Bureau CEO Ryan Jacobsen said.

Jacobsen called Maldonado “extraordinarily knowledgeable” and “a great advocate.”

Maldonado served in the California Legislature as an Assemblymember and Senator rom 1998 through 2010. Then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed Maldonado to serve in the vacant lieutenant governor post in 2010.

The move may have been a lifeline for the Central Coast politician. He drew fire from his party for voting to approve the budget — ending a lengthy deadlock — and supporting a change in elections to the current “top-two” system.

Maldonado ran for re-election in 2010, but lost to Gavin Newsom. He has been relatively quiet in politics since — until this year.

He now runs Runway Vineyards — just east of Santa Maria — with this daughter, Erika.

Who Else Might Serve?

Several others with Central Valley ties might serve in lower capacities.

Connie Conway could return as state executive director for the USDA Farm Service Agency, a post she held in the first administration from 2019 through 2021.

The FSA helps farmers with loan and financial programs.

“I told them I would be very interested in either the old job or anything else that they thought would be appropriate for me to do,” said Conway, R-Tulare, who served a partial term in Congress from 2022 through 2023 succeeding Nunes.

Conway said she already spoke with members of the transition team.

“I think she’d be excellent as an appointee for the president,” Cloud said.

Conway succeeded Aubrey Bettencourt, a Hanford almond farmer, at FSA. Bettencourt left for a role as Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Water and Science Division at the Department of Interior.

Bettencourt had no comment. She currently works as global director of government relations at Netafim — an Israeli/Mexican company with a Fresno office.

Conway is the chair of the Tulare County Republican Party and chair of the 2025 World Ag Expo in Tulare.

Blong Xiong, a former Fresno City Councilmember, serves in that role for the Biden Administration. He is likely out of a job come Jan. 20.

Pundits also tell GV Wire that two leaders with the Friant Water Authority could be considered for positions.

Jason Phillips is the CEO; Johnny Amaral is the COO and chief of external affairs. Amaral formerly worked with Westlands Water District, and Nunes.

Austin Ewell, a Fresno businessman who held an Interior job during the first Trump term, declined comment if he might be interested in returning. He served as Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Water and Science Division from 2017 through 2018, succeeded by Bettencourt.

Ewell recently won election to the State Center Community College District board, running unopposed. He is also a former Fresno County planning commissioner.

Another name with Central Valley ties is Ashley Hayek. The chief engagement officer for Trump-affiliated think tank America First Policy Institute, grew up in Clovis and lives in the Washington, D.C. area.