NEW: Official: Gregg leading candidate for Commerce

WASHINGTON (AP) - An Obama administration official says that Republican Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire is the leading candidate to become commerce secretary.
   
The official says that an announcement of Gregg’s nomination could come as soon as Monday. The official spoke Saturday on condition of anonymity because the official wasn’t authorized to discuss administration deliberations.
   
Gregg’s appointment to the post could give Obama and his Democratic Party a victory in the Senate, clearing the way for them to pass legislation without fear of a Republican filibuster.
   
However, it’s not clear if New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch would appoint a fellow Democrat as a replacement.
   
Gregg has confirmed that he is under consideration for the Cabinet post.