Bill Richardson

Former congressman, U.N. ambassador and energy secretary Bill Richardson became the governor of New Mexico in 2003. Richardson was nominated on December 3, 2008, for the position of commerce secretary by Barack Obama.CNN: Obama Nominates Richardson for Cabinet (December 3, 2008) However, on January 4, 2009, he announced he was withdrawing his name because of a pending investigation about a company that has done business with his state.MSNBC: Richardson to withdraw as commerce secretary (January 4, 2009)

Richardson grew up in Mexico City before moving to Massachusetts as a teenager. He earned a Master's degree in International Affairs from Tufts University, where he was also a baseball player. Richardson was scouted by professional teams, but was never drafted.

1. 1983-1997: New Mexico representative, 3rd district
2. 1997-1998: 21st U.S. ambassador to the United Nations
3. 1998-2001: 9th U.S. secretary of energy
4. 2003-present: 30th governor of New Mexico

Richardson sought the Democratic nomination in the 2008 Presidential race, but dropped out after finishing in fourth place in the New Hampshire primary. On March 21, 2008, he endorsedBarack Obama for the Democratic nomination.

• November 15, 1947: Born

• 1982: Elected to Congress, New Mexico's Third District

• 1997: Appointed by Bill Clinton as United States Ambassador to the United Nations

• 1998: Becomes Bill Clinton's Secretary of Energy

• 2002: Elected governor of New Mexico

• 2006: Re-elected to a second term as governor

• 2008: Chosen by Barack Obama to serve as commerce secretary