Ron Kirk

Former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk said late Wednesday that he had met with President-elect Barack Obama's transition team, according to The Dallas Morning News.

"I'm happy where I am, but if the president needs me, it's something I have to seriously consider," Kirk told the newspaper.

Kirk, a Democrat, was in Washington from the weekend through Tuesday, but he didn't reveal details of the discussion with Obama's team. During the campaign, he was one of Obama's top allies in Texas, and he also completed surrogate work for the president-elect in several swing states, including North Carolina.

James Steinberg is slated to become the next Deputy Secretary of State. Andrea Mitchell said Steinberg will serve in the position on MSNBC's "Morning Joe."  Steinberg had been mentioned as a possible candidate for National Security Advisor, however it looks increasingly likely that retired Gen. James Jones will be tapped for NSA instead.

The State Department, like the White House, will have ample leadership from President Bill Clinton's administration if Steinberg does get the Foggy Bottom post.  He served as Clinton's deputy National Security Advisor.  This time, however, Steinberg may be reporting to a different Clinton.

U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes has not been selected to be the next secretary of Homeland Security. Politico reports that Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano has been selected to head the agency. Although Reyes was not considered a marquee contender, his name had emerged in some news reports. The El Paso Democrat heads the House Intelligence committee.

Reyes spokesman Vince Perez told PolitickerTX.com Reyes had not been approached by anyone connected to the incoming administration about the post.  He added Reyes may issue a statement about Napolitano's selection when she officially accepts the appointment offer.

The Houston Chronicle reports that lobbyist and former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk was in the office of Houston Mayor Bill White Wednesday afternoon.

The meeting is intriguing because both White and Kirk are considered among the top Democratic hopefuls for the 2010 governor's race.

Many Texans may be leaving the Bush White House soon, but there's no shortage of candidates in the Lone Star state who might replace them.

Several Texans have emerged as contenders for posts in President-elect Barack Obama's administration. Obama has already asked two Texans to join his transition team: Juliet Garcia, president of the University of Texas-Brownsville and Texas Southmost College, and Espiridion "Al" Borrego, a University of Texas-Pan American professor and former United States Department of Labor official.

The following is a list of potential appointees based on various news reports and PolitickerTX.com's own research.

The names of two Texans are being floated for positions in a potential Obama administration, should the Illinois Democrat win the presidency Tuesday. According to various reports, former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk is a possible contender for Commerce Secretary, while James Steinberg of the LBJ School of Public Affairs is being mentioned for National Security Advisor.

The Atlantic's Marc Ambinder mentioned both men in an Oct. 31 post in which he described "tips, rumors and noise" about who would fill positions in the next administration.

Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama: Getty Images PhotoThe Dallas Morning News reports that the campaign of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama is directing Texas volunteers to other states and "placing less emphasis on campaigning inside the state." This appears to be departure from his campaign's previous promise to help Texas Democrats win downballot races even if he could not win Texas.