Oregon Public Broadcasting

President Obama is expected to tap former Washington Governor Gary Locke to be his Commerce Secretary.  Olympia correspondent Austin Jenkins reports.

National media outlets are quoting unnamed top officials in the White House who say Locke is Obama’s choice for Commerce.

The former two-term governor would be Obama’s third choice for the job. Former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and New Hampshire Senator Judd Gregg both bowed out.

Denny Heck, a former Washington state lawmaker says his longtime friend’s executive experience and trade expertise make him a good fit for Commerce Secretary.

Denny Heck: “And I would imagine coming of the last two candidates they had that didn’t quite work out, Eagle Scout Gary Locke was probably pretty darn appealing to them, he’s clean as a whistle, absolutely nobody ever has questioned Gary’s integrity and commitment to do the right thing.”

Locke did have a campaign finance violation in the late 1990s. Last December, Locke was reportedly up for the job of U.S. Trade Representative.