html - How to set the 'selected option' of a select dropdown list with jquery -

i have following jquery function:

$.post('getsalesrepfromcustomer', {     data: selectedobj.value }, function (result) {     alert(result[0]);     $('select[name^="salesrep"]').val(result[0]); }); 

result[0] value want set selected item in select box. result[0] equals bruce jones.

the select box populated database query 1 of rendered html is:

<select id="salesrep" data-theme="a" data-mini="true" name="salesrep"> <option value=""> </option> <option value="john smith">john smith</option> <option value="bruce jones">bruce jones</option> <option value="adam calitz">adam calitz</option> <option>108</option> </select> 

$('select[name^="salesrep"]').val(result[0]); doesn't populate select box selected option. have tried $("#salesrep").val(result[0]); without luck.

any appreciated.

so want selected / highlighted option in salesrep dropdown list bruce jones.

html be:

<select id="salesrep" data-theme="a" data-mini="true" name="salesrep"> <option value=""> </option> <option value="john smith">john smith</option> <option value="bruce jones" selected >bruce jones</option> <option value="adam calitz">adam calitz</option> <option>108</option> </select> 

thanks again,

entire script

<script type="text/javascript">      $(document).ready(function () {             $("#customer").autocomplete(       {       source: "get_customers",       messages:       {       noresults: '',       results: function() {}       },       select: function( event, ui )       {        var selectedobj = ui.item;               $.post('getsalesrepfromcustomer', {data:selectedobj.value},function(result) {        alert(result[0]);        var selnametest="bruce koller";     $("#salesrep").val(selnametest);      });        }       });          });   </script> 

rendered html is:

<select id="salesrep" data-theme="a" data-mini="true" name="salesrep"> <option value=""> </option> <option value="ryanlubuschagne">ryan lubuschagne</option> <option value="bruce jones">bruce jones</option> <option value="adam calitz">adam calitz</option> </select> 

try :

$('select[name^="salesrep"] option[value="bruce jones"]').attr("selected","selected"); 

just replace option[value="bruce jones"] option[value=result[0]]

and before selecting new option, might want "unselect" previous :

$('select[name^="salesrep"] option:selected').attr("selected",null); 

you may want read : jquery specific option tag text

edit: using jquery mobile, link may provide solution : jquery mobile - set select/option values