Oregon Public Broadcasting

Even though Gary Locke is his third choice, President Obama calls him the right man for the job.

The former Washington governor is now officially the nominee for Commerce Secretary.  The President made the announcement Wednesday morning in Washington, D.C.

Barak Obama: “So Gary will be a trusted voice in my cabinet, a tireless advocate for our economic competitiveness and an influential ambassador for American industry who will help us do everything we can especially now to promote our industry around the world.”

Washington is often called the most trade dependent state in the nation.

As Governor from 1997 to 2005, Locke led highly-publicized trade missions to China and other countries. Since leaving office he’s worked on trade issues for a private law firm.

Locke is the administration’s third choice to run the Commerce Department. Two previous nominees bowed out.