A wealthy Chicago nightclub owner and friend of US president Bill Clinton is to take over the US Consul General's job in Bermuda.

And Larry Owen, a lawyer and businessman, is expected to take over from current postholder Robert Farmer within the next few months.

Mr. Owen and wife Faylene -- like Mr. Farmer -- shot to national prominence in the US as big-money fundraisers for the Democratic Party.

But yesterday Mr. Owen was staying tight-lipped on the subject -- believed to be on State Department orders.

He said: "All I can say is that I'm very pleased to be under consideration and I would expect the President to make a final decision in the near future.'' US Consulate General staff were also playing their cards close to their chests.

But The Royal Gazette understands that it is only a matter of time before Mr.

Owen, 53, is announced as the next US government representative on the Island.

Mr. Owen, who lives in Michigan's East Lansing, has been immersed in politics for years and twice sought the Democratic nomination for Governor of the state.

But the highest office to which he has ever been elected was Mayor of his home town.

Mr. Owen, who only last year lost out to rival Geoffrey Fieger in a tightly-fought nomination race, recently became a partner in a new nightclub in Chicago called The Black Orchid.

His three-way tussle for the nomination was marked by accusations from rival candidate Douglas Ross about a $2.5 million loan guarantee to his son-in-law over a failed casino deal.

Mr. Owen was questioned over whether his settlement of the debt amounted to an illegal campaign contribution from Las Vegas casino owners.

But he dismissed the charges, accused competitor Mr. Ross of desperation politics -- and the probe fizzled out.

Mr. Farmer has spent most of the last few months in Miami, where he has just bought a new home, and could not be contacted for comment yesterday.

The Royal Gazette reported earlier this month that Mr. Farmer -- who has already extended his original three-year posting to the Island -- is understood to be losing patience with the US government's failure to name a replacement.

And the decision to sell the luxury $15 million official home, Chelston in Paget, is believed to have strengthened his resolve to go.

Mr. Farmer has already been lined up as fundraiser for Massachusetts Senator John F. Kerry if he decides to enter the US presidential race.