If national media reports that Gov. Bill Richardson is about to become U.S. secretary of commerce are true, his return to Washington, D.C., would set in motion more political changes for New Mexico.

Lt. Gov. Diane Denish would become the first woman to serve as this state's governor, two years ahead of her planned bid for election to that office.

Under terms of a constitutional amendment that voters approved earlier this month, Denish could then name her own lieutenant governor, subject to state Senate approval.

If her choice is someone who already holds a state office — such as state Auditor Hector Balderas, who has been the subject of much speculation — Denish would also appoint someone to fill that vacancy.

Such a transition most likely would happen during the upcoming 60-day session of the state Legislature, which begins Jan. 20, the same day as President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration.

All presidential Cabinet appointments require confirmation by the U.S. Senate, which normally takes up such business in the first few weeks of a new administration. Richardson, a former congressman, has been through that process twice before, when he served as President Bill Clinton's United Nations ambassador and as energy secretary.

Denish has served as acting governor for large parts of the past two years while Richardson campaigned first for president, then on behalf of Obama's candidacy. A spokeswoman for Denish said Friday that the lieutenant governor "stands ready" to step in if Richardson leaves.

"The lieutenant governor says (Richardson) would be a great choice for Obama and a great choice for the nation," Danielle Montoya said. She declined to say who Denish would name as her lieutenant governor.

Denish as of Sept. 30 already had raised nearly $1.4 million for her 2010 campaign for governor, according to her latest campaign finance report. Among the donors are several Richardson cabinet secretaries.

How would a change in the Governor's Office affect the legislative session?

New Mexico House Speaker Ben Luján, D-Nambé, said Friday that he hopes Richardson will stay on for at least the first half of the session if the governor takes the commerce job or some other position in the Obama administration.

"At least that would give us time for a smooth transition," Luján said. "He's been trying to get the session going in a manner where we can address the budget shortfalls. I assume that Diane Denish has been in the loop. I hope."

As for Denish, Luján said, "Diane probably has her own style. I'm sure she'll do a good job."

State Sen. Rod Adair, R-Roswell, said Friday that he thinks Denish is "generally to the left (of Richardson) across the board." If she becomes governor, the Republican said, the change would coincide with what is expected to be a more liberal direction for the state Legislature, which gained a total of six Democrats and lost six Republicans in the general election.

People who might be in a position to know weren't saying anything about whom Denish might choose as a lieutenant governor.

Balderas, 35, is a lawyer and former state lawmaker from Wagon Mound who was elected auditor in 2006. He was a frequent speaker at Obama campaign rallies in the state during the campaign. At one campaign event, Richardson introduced him as a "rising young Hispanic star."

Balderas couldn't be reached for comment Friday.

Another name some pundits have floated is that of Lawrence Rael, executive director of the Mid Region Council of Governments. That job involves overseeing construction of the nearly complete extension of the Rail Runner commuter train service into Santa Fe.

Rael, 50, said that earlier this year he talked to both Denish and Richardson about his interest in the post in 2010.

"I know she knows I'm interested in the job," Rael said Friday, adding he now plans to talk to Denish more as the news develops regarding Richardson's future and the post could be opening up sooner than 2010.

Santa Fe County Sheriff Greg Solano also has announced he is running in the 2010 Democratic primary for nomination as lieutenant governor.

Kate Nash contributed to this report.

Contact Steve Terrell at 986-3037 or sterrell@sfnewmexican.com.

Diane Denish

Age: 59

Years in New Mexico: Native. Born in Hobbs

Education: Bachelor of arts in political science, The University of New Mexico

Political experience: Lieutenant governor since 2003; former State Democratic Party chairwoman, 1999-2002; owner of the Target Group, a "voter contact" and marketing-research business in Albuquerque, 1990-2002; candidate in Democratic primary for lieutenant governor in 1994 but was defeated by Patricia Madrid; Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in 1998 on ticket with gubernatorial candidate Martin Chávez, which lost to the Republican ticket of Gary Johnson and Walter Bradley

Personal: Married to Herb Denish of Albuquerque, an urban planning consultant. They have three grown children and two grandchildren. Her father, the late Jack Daniels, is a former state legislator who ran for U.S. Senate in 1972. Her uncle, Bill Daniels, is considered a pioneer of the cable television industry.