Gary Locke

Gary Locke is the Secretary of Commerce under President Barack Obama. He previously served as the governor of Washington from 1997 to 2005. Obama's previous two nominees for the Commerce position, Bill Richardson and Judd Gregg, withdrew their names after being nominated.

On May 1, 2009, the President spoke at the official swearing in ceremony of the secretary of commerce and health and human services.WashingtonPost.com: Potus Events: Finalizing the Cabinet (May 1, 2009)

The first nominee for Commerce Secretary, Governor of New Mexico Bill Richardson, withdrew his name after he came under a federal investigation for his ties to a company that did business with his state. The second nominee, Judd Gregg, withdrew his name after disagreements with Obama's economic policies, particularly the 2009 Stimulus Package.

Gary Locke was named the third nominee by President Obama on February 25, 2009, and sworn in on May 1, 2009.CNBC: Obama Taps Former Governor Locke As Commerce Chief (February 25, 2009) His nomination needs to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Locke gave a deposition to the House Committee on Government Reform and Oversight about his relationships with donors to President Bill Clinton's 1996 campaign. The investigation was into illegal donations, but the committee found there was no evidence Locke knowingly accepted illegal campaign donations.International Herald Tribune: Obama chooses Gary Locke to run Commerce... (February 25, 2009)

His political committee admitted in 1997 it had broken campaign finance laws in 1996 during two fundraisers and the committee was fined $2,500.International Herald Tribune: Obama chooses Gary Locke to run Commerce... (February 25, 2009)

He was investigated in 1998 for allegedly taking illegal campaign contributions from a Buddhist church, but was cleared of any wrongdoing.International Herald Tribune: Obama chooses Gary Locke to run Commerce... (February 25, 2009)