December 03, 2008 10:11 PM UTC

Rep. Salazar On Ag Secretary "Short List"

• 0 Comments
• by: Colorado Pols

Sure enough, as the Denver Post confirms:

Colorado congressman John Salazar is on the “short list” to become Secretary of Agriculture under president-elect Barack Obama, sources have told the Denver Post.

Salazar confirmed this morning that he “may” be on the short list.

He issued the following statement today after being contacted by the Post:

“I am humbled that I may be under consideration as a possible nominee for Secretary of Agriculture. Should President-elect Obama honor me with a nomination to Agriculture, I would certainly consider it. However, at this time, I am continuing my work on behalf of my constituents in the 3rd Congressional District and preparing for the many difficult challenges facing the 111th Congress.”

If Salazar is chosen, then confirmed, it would scramble the political map in Colorado, leaving Salazar’s Third Congressional Seat vacant. It also assures Colorado, a swing state that helped propel Obama to victory, will have a seat at the new president’s cabinet.

Salazar, a farmer from Mannassa, was just re-elected to a third term. He has not been interviewed by the transition team, but has spoken to them.

His appointment also fills a couple of Obama’s political needs. First, it ensures a high-level Latino appointment in addition to New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who was nominated this morning to become Commerce Secretary.

The U.S. Congressional Hispanic Caucus earlier this week asked Obama to consider Salazar for the post.

A Salazar appointment would also scramble Colorado’s political picture in 2010. Bernie Buescher would be a likely candidate to replace Salazar, but it would also no doubt change future plans for someone like Sen. Josh Penry, who would likely be more inclined to run for congress in 2010 than something like governor.