The election of Barack Obama to be the United States' next president has started a flurry of speculation as to who from California might be tabbed to join his administration.

Media outlets began the guessing game Wednesday and Thursday, with most speculation focusing on names both familiar and less so.

Several prominent California political figures were early supporters of Obama, and could also be asked to join his administration. They include former Controller Steve Westly - also rumored as a possible 2010 gubernatorial nominee - and San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris.

Mary Nichols, currently chair of California's Air Resources Board, is widely mentioned as a possible name to run the Environmental Protection Agency. Nichols is currently helping spearhead implementation of AB 32, which would significantly reduce the state's greenhouse gases.

Some have also speculated that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger could be asked to head the EPA or the Department of Energy, though that seems unlikely in the face of Schwarzenegger's strong public support of Obama's defeated opponent, U.S. Sen. John McCain.

Schwarzenegger also told a reporter this week that he had no intention of leaving California for a federal job or anything else until his term as governor ends in 2010.

A possible Treasury secretary could come from the University of California, Berkeley's Haas School of Business, where professor Laura D'Andrea Tyson could be tabbed for that role or another relating to economics.

Some also believe that UC Berkeley's law school dean, Christopher Edley Jr., could have a role in the Justice department or as a possible U.S. Supreme Court justice.

Edley is a member of Obama's transition team, and was his professor at Harvard Law School.

Tony West, a wealthy attorney who held Bay Area fundraisers for Obama, could also play some role.

Steve Heminger, executive director of the Bay Area's Metropolitan Transportation Commission, is considered in some circles a contender to be Obama's transportation secretary.

Two members of California's congressional delegation have been suggested as possible players in Obama's administration.

U.S. Rep. Jane Harman (D-Venice) could play a role in national security and intelligence, while U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-Martinez) has been mentioned as a possibility for a role in the Department of Education.

Congressmen from California's Central Valley have suggested someone from that region receive a prominent position at the federal Department of Agriculture, in acknowledgment of the state's status as the largest agricultural state in the country.

Bill Lyons, a former state agriculture department secretary, was promoted by U.S. Rep. Dennis Cardoza (D-Atwater).

A state Democratic operative said that regardless of who they are, California will be well represented in Obama's administration.

"When Bill Clinton took office in January 1993, a whole lot of Californians came with him," said Bob Mulholland, who added that he hasn't heard of any specific names yet. "They'll be there with Obama too."