Commerce Secretary Gary Locke resigns to become ambassador to China

Gary Locke formally resigned as Commerce secretary Monday to become the first Chinese-American to serve as U.S. ambassador to China. 

The Senate confirmed Locke on Wednesday after more than two years at the helm of the Commerce Department. He replaces Republican Jon Huntsman, who has entered the race for the Republican presidential nomination. Locke previously served as governor of Washington for two terms.

During his tenure at Commerce, Locke has been primarily focused on boosting U.S. exports, particularly to emerging Asian powers China and India. He heads to Beijing at a time when concerns over the U.S. deficit have added tension to the increasingly intertwined economic relationship between the two nations.

“From Asia to South America to Ohio and Iowa, I have met with foreign leaders, CEOs, inventors and small business owners. Throughout my travels, I have seen the worldwide appeal of American products and the ingenuity of the American people," Locke said.

Locke also oversaw a 2010 census that had been expected to come in late and vastly over-budget because of technology troubles during the Bush administration. It was completed on time and $1.9 billion under budget.

Acting deputy secretary Rebecca Blank will serve as acting Commerce Secretary pending Senate confirmation of Locke's replacement, John Bryson. Blank has been serving as acting deputy secretary since November.

She previously served as Locke's principal economic adviser in her role as Under Secretary for Economic Affairs and head of the Economics and Statistics Administration.

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