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• Judd Gregg is the senior Republican Senator from New Hampshire. On February 3, 2009, President Barack Obama officially nominated Gregg as his choice for commerce secretary. On February 12, 2009, Gregg withdrew from the nomination. He cited "irresolvable conflicts" due to differences of opinions he had compared with President Obama on the economic stimulus and the Census.CNN: Gregg withdraws from consideration for Commerce post (February 12, 2009)

• Fast Facts

  1. Born: February 14, 1947
  2. Birthplace: Nashua, New Hampshire
  3. Spouse: Kathleen MacLellan Gregg
  4. Party: Republican
  5. Assumed office: January 5, 1993
  6. Former profession: Lawyer
  7. Son of former New Hampshire Governor Hugh Gregg
  8. Ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee
  9. 2005: Won $853,492 on the Powerball lotteryNY Times: Senator, Millionaire and, Now, a Lottery Winner (October 21, 2005)
  10. 2003: Wife Kathy was kidnapped from her home after she withdrew money from an ATMNY Times: 2 Are Held in Kidnapping of Senator's Wife (October 9, 2003)

• Secretary of Commerce

  The job of Commerce Secretary had originally been intended for New Mexico governor Bill Richardson, a strong supporter of Obama's in the Democratic primary. However, Richardson withdrew his name from nomination amidst a federal investigation into some questionable political donations.MSNBC: Richardson withdrawal leaves cabinet gap (January 6, 2009)

  According to reports, Judd Gregg initially agreed to accept the position if he was assured that his Senate replacement would be a Republican. The move would have prevented the possibility that the Democrats could reach a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate.USA Today: Official: Obama taps Gregg as commerce head (February 2, 2009) Washington Post: Gregg Open to Commerce Post - if a Republican Replaces Him (February 2, 2009) KWGN TV Denver: Obama Obama names Judd Gregg commerce secretary (February 3, 2009) New Hampshire Governor John Lynch named Gregg's former chief of staff, Republican Bonnie Newman, to fill the vacant Senate seat.

  Gregg withdrew his name from consideration for the position on February 12, 2009, citing "irresolvable conflicts" due to differences of opinions he had compared with President Obama on the economic stimulus and the Census.CNN: Gregg withdraws from consideration for Commerce post (February 12, 2009)

• Statement on Withdrawing from Commerce Secretary Nomination

  "...it has become apparent during this process that this will not work for me as I have found that on issues such as the stimulus package and the Census there are irresolvable conflicts for me. Prior to accepting this post, we had discussed these and other potential differences, but unfortunately we did not adequately focus on these concerns. We are functioning from a different set of views on many critical items of policy. Obviously the President requires a team that is fully supportive of all his initiatives."— Judd Gregg on February 12, 2009CNN: Gregg withdraws from consideration for Commerce post (February 12, 2009)

• Related Mahalo Pages

  U.S. Senate | New Hampshire | Republican Party | Obama Cabinet | John Thompson | Bill Richardson | Bonnie Newman | Barack Obama | US Census Bureau | How to Win Powerball

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