Microsoft Corporation and the Boeing Company, both of which are major Washington state employers, are prominent among Locke's numerous corporate donors. He is almost certain to deal with issues important to Microsoft and Boeing, including intellectual property protection, cyber security, technical specifications, and export controls and other trade matters.

 

During the Clinton administration, Redmond-based Microsoft fought an antitrust case that threatened to break up the software giant. Locke publicly opposed the Justice Department case and called a federal judge's early decision to split up Microsoft “draconian, unnecessary and unjustified.” When an appeals court later overturned the breakup order, Locke called it “great news” and a victory for consumers.

 

Locke will soon have to deal with a lingering dispute involving Boeing. Last year the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers asked the Commerce Department to suspend a new program allowing Chinese companies access to sensitive U.S. aerospace technology. The union thinks both national security and U.S. jobs are at risk.

-Jessica Giffin

 

The Influence Game: Big Biz has friend in Locke (by Sharon Theimer, Associated Press)