Post: John Salazar on shortlist for agriculture secretary

U.S. Rep. John Salazar is on the short list to become U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, according to the Denver Post.

Salazar told the Post that he's spoken with President-elect Barack Obama's transition team, but he hasn't been interviewed by them.

Salazar said in a statement he would be "humbled" and "would certainly consider it" if he was offered the cabinet post, the Grand Junction Sentinel is reporting.

"However, at this time, I am continuing my work on behalf of my constituents in the 3rd Congressional District and preparing for the many difficult challenges facing the 111th Congress," Salazar said in the statement.

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus sent a letter to Obama recommending Salazar for Secretary of Agriculture, Bloomberg News is reporting.

"I'm thrilled that his name is being mentioned. He is a salt-of-the-earth farmer who would serve agriculture well," U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar (D-Denver), John Salazar's brother, said to the Post.

Others mentioned as possible candidates for U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, according to the Associated Press, include Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Dennis Wolff, National Farmers Union President Tom Buis, former U.S. Rep. Charles Stenholm (D-Texas), U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, (D-S.D.), and former U.S. Rep. Jill Long Thompson (D-Ind).