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Republican In Running For Cabinet

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The New York Times

Published: February 1, 2009

WASHINGTON - Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., is the top contender to be President Barack Obama's nominee for commerce secretary, the White House said Saturday, a move that could bolster the Democratic majority in Congress.

Gregg's name has been circulated for several days as Obama tries to replace his previous nominee for commerce secretary, Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico, who withdrew amid revelations that a grand jury is investigating how he awarded state government contracts.

If the senator accepts and is confirmed, he will be the third Republican appointee in the Obama Cabinet. The others are Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who also held the post under President George W. Bush, and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, a former congressman from the president's home state, Illinois.

A senior Obama administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity because an announcement had not been made, said a selection "could come as early as Monday."

Gregg's spokeswoman had no comment Saturday. The senator acknowledged Friday that he was being considered to lead the Commerce Department, though Republicans were urging him to think carefully about what changing jobs would mean to the GOP.

Gregg, who devised the $700 billion banking bailout package last year, would be a strong ambassador to the business community. He would also have huge sway over the 2010 Census that lawmakers will use to redraw congressional districts.

A policy wonk, Gregg rose through the Senate ranks to serve as chairman of the powerful Budget Committee and the Appropriations subcommittee that funds homeland security. Now in the minority, he is the ranking Republican member on the Budget Committee but still has large sway in the GOP's response to Obama's legislative agenda.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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