Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry is the leading contender for energy secretary in the Trump White House, according to sources who spoke with Bloomberg Politics.

Perry has had a hot-cold relationship with the president-elect. Last summer, the Texas governor delivered a now-infamous speech about how Trump was a "cancer" to conservatism. Months later, when Trump seemed likely to win the Republican nomination, Perry changed his tune and became a friend and surrogate the eventual winning campaign. He was even open to being Trump's vice president.

Also on the short list for energy secretary are Sens. Heidi Heitkamp (ND) and Joe Manchin (WV) - both Democrats.