Washington  - Former Washington state governor Gary Locke is likely to be nominated as President Barack Obama's commerce secretary, filling one of the only remaining vacancies in his cabinet, the Washington Post reported Monday.

Locke, 59, became the country's first Chinese-American governor when he was elected to the post in 1996. He served two four-year terms.

Locke would be Obama's third choice for the post.

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson was forced to withdraw in December over a lobbying scandal in his home state.

New Hampshire Senator Judd Gregg was nominated in Richardson's place and would have become the third Republican in Obama's cabinet. But Gregg withdrew earlier this month, citing philosophical differences with the new administration.

The Commerce Department's tasks include increasing trade within the United States and managing free-trade agreements and economic relations with other countries. (dpa)