Will third time be the charm at Commerce?

Former Washington Gov. Gary Locke is reportedly President Obama's new choice to head the department.

Published February 23, 2009 10:35PM (EST)

President Obama struck out with his first two picks for Commerce secretary, as both New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.) withdrew their nominations for the post. Now, he's reportedly hoping to do better with a fairly obscure choice -- former Washington Gov. Gary Locke.

Locke, who left in office in 2005, served two terms and opted not to run for a third; he was the first Chinese-American governor in U.S. history.


By Alex Koppelman

Alex Koppelman is a staff writer for Salon.

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