Profile: Gary Locke

Mr Locke's 2003 speech was much criticised

But after the first choice - New Mexico Governor Bill Richards - dropped out to fight ethics allegations in his home state, and the second choice - Republican Senator Judd Gregg - withdrew citing political differences, Mr Locke emerged to fill the vacancy.

The move represented something of a political comeback for Mr Locke, whose reputation as a rising Democratic star had been damaged by a poorly-received speech in response to President Bush's 2003 State of the Union Address.

Mr Locke began his political career in 1982 in Washington state, as a member of the state's House of Representatives.

Starting in 1993, a three-year stint as King County's County Executive (in charge of the state's populous Seattle area) led to his election as state governor in 1996.

He was the first Chinese-American ever to serve as a governor of a US state.

Criticised

Mr Locke won re-election in 2000 and in 2003 was selected to give the Democratic Party's official response to President Bush's State of the Union address.

His delivery was much criticised, however - ABC News reporter Jake Tapper (then with Salon) described it as "astoundingly unimpressive" - and the event damaged his reputation.

Later that year, he announced that he would not be seeking a third term as Washington state governor, saying that he wanted to devote more time to his family. After leaving office in 2005, he worked at the Seattle office of an international law firm.

Despite publicly backing Hillary Clinton in the 2008 Democratic presidential primaries, Mr Locke was mentioned as a possible interior secretary in President Obama's cabinet.

The post eventually went to Senator Ken Salazar, but when a vacancy at the Commerce Department occurred (for the third time), Mr Locke was on hand to take up the position.

If his appointment is approved, he will be the third Asian-American to join Mr Obama's cabinet.

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