Chinese American may be next U.S. Commerce Secretary

After two failed nominations for Commerce Secretary, the Obama Administration has named Chinese-American Gary Lock as the third hopeful nominee.

If approved by the Senate, Locke will be the first Chinese-American Commerce Secretary and will increase the current total number of federal cabinet positions held by Asian-Americans to three, which is the most under any U.S. president.

Locke, who is the nation’s first and only Chinese-American governor as the former Democratic governor of Washington state, has "a longstanding interest in expanding trade relations with China...[and is]...an expert on China issues as a partner in a prominent Seattle law firm." He "brings something new: an international focus, centrist pragmatism, strong skills in public policy and a largely scandal-free résumé."

In 2006, "Mr. Locke helped organize the visit to Seattle of President Hu Jintao of China, which was Mr. Hu’s only other American stop on his way to meet with President George W. Bush. Last summer, Mr. Locke carried the Olympic torch on one of its last legs in China before it reached Beijing."

Read the rest of the NY Times article.

Other facts about Asian Americans in U.S. Politics

The first Chinese-American secretary was Elaine Chao who was the Labor Secretary under 42nd U.S. President George W. Bush.

Currently, the other two Asian American cabinet members are Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Veteran Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki.