New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, once President-elect Barack Obama's rival for the White House, likely will be part of Obama's Cabinet.

Obama was expected to name Richardson as his Commerce secretary nominee Wednesday, a Democratic source told CNN.

Richardson is no stranger to Washington. The former Democratic presidential candidate was a U. N. ambassador and Energy secretary in the Clinton administration.

One of the most prominent Hispanic politicians in the nation, Richardson withdrew from the race for the Democratic presidential nomination in January and later endorsed Obama.

If Richardson steps down as chief executive of New Mexico, Democratic Lt. Gov. Diane Denish would assume the governorship. She was Richardson's running mate in the
2002 and 2006 gubernatorial elections.

If offered the Cabinet post, Richardson would two other Democratic presidential hopefuls in the Obama administration. Obama tabbed Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., to run with him as vice president and, on Monday, introduced Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N. Y., as his choice for secretary of State.(UPI)