Judd Gregg withdraws as US Commerce Secretary nominee

February 13, 2009

(-NH), who was nominated by President Barack Obama as the next, withdrew from consideration Thursday, citing "irresolvable conflicts" with Obama over the administration's and the. Judd Gregg is a current representing New Hampshire, where he formerly served as. Senator Gregg is also the ranking member of the and a member of the Republican Party. Had he been confirmed, he would have been the second Republican in Obama's cabinet.

In a statement, Gregg thanked the President for the nomination.

"However, it has become apparent during this process that this will not work for me as I have found that on issues such as the stimulus package and the Census there are irresolvable conflicts for me. Prior to accepting this post, we had discussed these and other potential differences, but unfortunately we did not adequately focus on these concerns," Senator Gregg said in his statement.

In an official, stated: "Once it became clear after his nomination that Senator Gregg was not going to be supporting some of President Obama’s key economic priorities, it became necessary for Senator Gregg and the Obama administration to part ways. We regret that he has had a change of heart."

Gregg is the fourth cabinet nominee of Obama to withdraw. The first three were former South Dakota Sen., consultant , and New Mexico Governor who was Obama's first choice for Commerce Secretary.