Gary Locke, former Democratic governor of Washington State (1997 – 2005), is currently serving under President Barak Obama as the nation’s 36th Secretary of Commerce. Locke is also the first Chinese American Secretary of Commerce.
As Secretary of Commerce, Lock will oversee the activities of the Department of Commerce, an agency that under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, is charged with expanding the country’s broadband infrastructure, bringing economic development to communities hardest hit by the recession and putting Americans to work under programs run by the U.S. Census Bureau, NOAA and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Locke’s nomination as Secretary of Commerce was confirmed by the U.S. Senate by unanimous consent on March 24, 2009.
Relevant Experience
During his second term as governor of Washington (2001-2005), Locke had to deal with an unprecedented state budget shortfall. Risking and in fact taking the wrath of his fellow Democrats, Locke dealt with the budget woes by implementing a Republican-backed policy allowing for the creation of no new taxes and making deep cuts in spending. Locke froze the pay and reduced the health benefits of most state employees, while laying off thousands more. Locke also cut funding for several social services programs and state education.
As governor, Locke also negotiated international trade agreements leading to Washington State being recognized as the nation’s most trade-dependent state. Washington’s exports to China alone now amount to over $5 billion per year.
From 2005 to his nomination as Commerce Secretary, Locke worked as a partner in the Seattle office of the international law firm of Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, helping U.S. companies break into international markets, particularly in Asia, and expand their international business.
Early Life and Education
Gary Locke was born on January 21, 1950, in Seattle, Washington. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Yale University in 1972. He went on to earned a law degree from the Boston University School of Law in 1975.
Family Life
Locke is married to Mona Lee, a former Seattle television reporter. The couple has three children.
