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Xavier Becerra Could Replace Richardson on Obama Cabinet
Local congressman Xavier Becerra (Echo Park, Silver Lake, K-Town, Lincoln Heights, Eagle Rock etc) turned down President-Elect Barack Obama's offer to be U.S. Trade Representative last month because he did not want to give up his House seniority. But he may actually be interested in leaving congress to head the Commerce Department after Bill Richardson stepped down yesterday. "Even though he turned down the trade representative slot, Becerra is not only Hispanic, but he has the skill, talent and experience to do the Commerce job," a source told the San Antonio Express-News. "Xavier's name has gone to the top of the list of potential replacements in part because he is a member of the House leadership, he is well liked, he has very good credentials, and, of course, he was an early Obama backer."
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