comboBox.selectedIndex using its data variable

I am building a PHP MySQL membership system in flash. I am working on the edit profile section right now. I can get all the users data to populate fine except for the combo Box. I know it would be comboBox.selectedIndex = state; (its a list of states).

The data variable that is stored in MySQL would be CA, which is the data variable for california

state_cb.addItem({data:“CA”, label:“California”});

Is there a way to make selectedIndex = state…state being CA?