U.S. Rep. John Salazar's (D-Manassa) chances of becoming the next U.S. secretary of agriculture are growing, and President-elect Barack Obama will likely name his nominee by Christmas, according to veteran Washington agricultural columnist Jim Wiesemeyer.

Salazar "fits in a lot of different categories and may have the inside track on this position," said Wiesemeyer, speaking at the 2008 USA Rice Outlook Conference in Little Rock, Ark., according to the Delta Farm Press. "His stock has risen in the last week. ...He is a moderate to conservative Democrat. He was born and raised on a cattle operation and is a seed potato farmer. And he is Latino."

However, Wiesemeyer said the growing buzz about Salazar doesn't guarantee that he'll get the job.

"I would remind you that neither of the last two (agriculture) secretaries (Mike Johanns and Ed Schafer) was even being mentioned in the press the morning they were announced by President Bush," he said.

Wiesemeyer said the agriculture secretary position will likely be revealed in the last one-third of Cabinet announcements.

U.S. Reps. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-S.D.) and Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.), as well as National Farmers Union President Tom Buis, are also in the running, according to press reports.

Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (D) has removed herself from consideration, according to The Hill. Former U.S. Rep. Charlie Stenholm (D-Texas), favored by many farmers at the USA Rice Outlook Conference, said last week he doesn't expect to be nominated for the position.