Obama picks leave openings for the GOP

WASHINGTON -- President-elect Barack Obama is raising hopes among some Republicans who are eyeing congressional and gubernatorial jobs that would be left vacant by his Cabinet.

Obama's incoming administration would open vacancies in seven states, more than each of the past two presidents. His picks could put a Republican in the Arizona governor's seat and create other competitive races in the elections in 2010, including in his home state of Illinois.

"It's a tremendous opportunity for both the party and for the state," Sean McCaffrey, executive director of the Arizona Republican Party, said of the governor's seat in his state.

Secretary of State Jan Brewer, a Republican, would become the chief executive if Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano is confirmed as Homeland Security secretary. "We've been jokingly calling her the governor-in-waiting," McCaffrey said of Brewer.

Brewer has not said whether she would seek her own four-year term in 2010, but like other fill-ins, she would enjoy the fundraising and organizational advantages of incumbency if she did.

Obama has rapidly named his Cabinet and many top agency positions this month before the inauguration Jan. 20. Five of his picks are governors or members of Congress — all Democrats — who have time left in their terms.

If confirmed, New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton will serve as secretary of State, and Sen. Ken Salazar of Colorado will lead the Department of Interior. In addition to Napolitano, Obama tapped Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico to lead the Commerce Department. The Associated Press reported Thursday that Obama will announce Rep. Hilda Solis, D-Calif., to head the Department of Labor.

Colorado voters elected Salazar to the Senate in 2004, and they chose Democrat Mark Udall to fill the state's other Senate seat this year. Colorado's Democratic governor, Bill Ritter, will name a replacement to serve out Salazar's term through 2010.

His replacement would have the power of incumbency, but registered Republicans slightly outnumber Democrats in Colorado, according to state data from October. The seat could become competitive, said Jennifer Duffy, a senior editor who monitors the Senate for the non-partisan Cook Political Report.