AP: Richardson To Be Named Commerce Secretary

CHICAGO (AP) – Democratic officials say President-elect Barack Obama plans to name New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson as his choice for Commerce Secretary on Wednesday.

Richardson was Energy Secretary and United Nations ambassador in the administration of President Bill Clinton. He sought the Democratic presidential nomination this year, but eventually dropped out and endorsed Obama.

He is one of the nation’s most prominent Hispanic politicians, and was in the U.S. House before joining Clinton’s Cabinet.

The Democratic officials said Tuesday that Obama will join Richardson at a news conference in Chicago on Wednesday. They would speak only on condition of anonymity because the announcement hasn’t been made.

By LIZ SIDOTI, Associated Press Writer

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)