Locke Will Be Named to Commerce Weds.

Former Washington governor Gary Locke. (Ted S. Warren/Associated Press)

By Michael D. Shear
President Obama will announce on Wednesday that he has chosen former Washington governor Gary Locke to be the nation's Commerce secretary, aides said today.

Locke will be Obama's third choice for the post. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson withdrew amid a state "pay-to-play" investigation. New Hampshire Sen. Judd Gregg, a Republican, dropped out days after being selected, saying he disagreed too much with the president's policies.

The former governor and Hillary Clinton supporter would become the third Asian American to be named to Obama's cabinet. Eric K. Shinseki is Veterans Affairs Secretary and Steven Chu is the president's Energy Secretary.