Former Rep. Steve Largent (R-Okla.) confirmed to us Wed. that he ...

it becomes a reality,” he said. An announcement on the closely watched search process has been expected as early as this week. However, Largent declined to say where the process stood, saying simply that he was cautiously optimistic about the outcome. Largent is a senior public policy consultant in the govt. affairs practice group at Wiley, Rein & Fielding. A NFL Hall of Fame former wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks was in Congress 1994-2002, including 7 years on the House Commerce Committee. Largent said his interest in telecom issues was particularly sparked when he worked under then Committee Chmn. Bliley (R-Va.) in the development of the Telecom Act. “I'd guess you'd have to say my personality and inclinations moved towards high-tech - - I love all the new gadgets and toys that have been coming online for the last 10 or 15 years,” he said. Largent said he had worked on some telecom issues since joining Wiley Rein in the last few months. “I was just getting my feet wet when the CTIA position became available,” he said. Largent left Congress last year to run for governor of Okla., ultimately losing that race to State Sen. Brad Henry (D) after having led most of the way. Last month, Rep. Pickering (R-Miss.) withdrew his name from consideration for CTIA’s top post, saying his decision came after a serious discussion with his family and the impact the job would have on his 5 sons. Largent’s confirmation Wed. that he had talked with CTIA about the job came after months of speculation about other reported candidates, including current CTIA senior vp-govt. affairs Steve Berry and ex-Defense Dept. spokeswoman Victoria Clarke. While in Congress, Largent had a relatively low public profile on wireless issues but had spoken out on parts of the Tauzin-Dingell bill, saying at one point that the benefits that Bell companies would receive would hamstring competition in the local loop even more.