Report: Symantec Chief a Contender to Lead Commerce

President-elect Barack Obama is considering software company president John Thompson for U.S. commerce secretary, the last slot in his Cabinet, Reuters reported Thursday.

A source familiar with the Obama transition team's deliberations told the news wire that Thompson, chairman and chief executive of Symantec Corp, is one of two candidates under consideration.

Symantec is the No. 1 software security company best known to consumers for its Norton product line.

A spokesman for Symantec said he was unaware whether Thompson was under consideration for a government position but acknowledged he has had talks with the Obama transition team. Thompson was in Washington late last week, Symantec spokesman Chris Payden told Reuters.

"I don't have any information to share," Payden said, adding that Thompson has always insisted on keeping his political activities separate from company business.