Washington Secretary of State Sam Reed is saluting President Obama's selection of former two-term Governor Gary Locke to become U.S. Commerce secretary. Reed says the nomination is great news for job-creation in America's most trade-dependent state. Reed's statement:
James Pharris, Washington deputy solicitor general, is the new general counsel for the Office of Secretary of State. He'll see some familiar faces when he comes around: His daughter, Ingrid, a graduate of St. Olaf College, is Secretary Reed's executive assistant, and his son, Nick, a Michigan PhD in linguistics, is with the agency's redistricting program. Jim Pharris, known both for his legal acumen and his musical talent, succeeds Jeff Even, who has advised the office for 17 years and was named counsel by then-Attorney General Christine Gregoire.
