Source: Richardson to head Commerce
President-elect Barack Obama plans to nominate New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson for secretary of Commerce, a Democratic insider says .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President-elect Barack Obama plans to nominate New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson to be secretary of Commerce, a Democratic source told CNN on Tuesday.
The nomination of the former energy secretary has been widely expected.
Richardson has been on Obama's list for the position from the start, a senior Democratic source said, and the two spoke about it on November 14.
If Richardson steps down as chief executive of New Mexico, Democratic Lt. Gov. Diane Denish will take over. She was Richardson's running mate in the 2002 and 2006 gubernatorial elections.
It's a very different situation in neighboring Arizona, where another Democratic governor, Janet Napolitano, also will step down to join the Cabinet. Arizona doesn't have a lieutenant governor. Under state law, Secretary of State Jan Brewer - a Republican - will take over.
Richardson sought the Democratic presidential nomination but dropped out of the race after a poor showing in the January 8 New Hampshire primary.
Both Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton then lobbied hard for an endorsement from Richardson, who served as U.N. ambassador as well as energy secretary during the Clinton administration.
He announced on March 21 that he would back Obama, saying that his "affection for Hillary Clinton and President Bill Clinton will never waver" but "it is now time for a new generation of leadership."
In April, Richardson said he had been "very close to endorsing" Clinton but decided not to after the campaign became negative.
His endorsement was viewed as an act of betrayal by some longtime Clinton supporters.
CNN political analyst James Carville, who has close ties to both Clintons, likened Richardson's endorsement to Judas' betrayal of Christ.
Richardson responded by saying that Carville and other Clinton supporters believe they are a "dynasty" and that they were "clinging to the throne."
Hillary Clinton was named this week as Obama's pick for another Cabinet post, secretary of state.
CNN's Candy Crowley, Ed Hornick and Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report. 
