Morris, a Lexington businessman, had been now-GOP Senate nominee Andy Barr's chief foil in the race before he opted to accept an offer by President Donald Trump to take a position within the administration. Morris agreed, bowed out of the Senate primary, and cleared the path for Barr to clench the nomination.
Now Morris will take over as ambassador to Colombia — one of a number of recent presidential appointments.
Trump posted to social media that Morris is "Oxford educated, tough as nails, LOVES our great nation, and will represent the United States very well, overseas, or otherwise."
Morris will first need to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate for the role.