AZ Gov. Janet Napolitano Picked As Head Of Homeland Security

Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano (D) has been picked by Barack Obama to be his head of Homeland Security.

Democratic officials said. Napolitano is a border governor who will now be responsible for immigration policy and border security, which are part of Homeland Security’s myriad functions. Napolitano brings law-and-order experience from her stint as the Grand Canyon State’s first female attorney general. One of the nation’s most prominent female elected officials, she made frequent appearances on behalf of Barack Obama during the campaign. She was re-elected to a second four-year term in 2006. Transition insiders have long expected that she would be offered a Cabinet slot, although she had also been mentioned for other posts, including attorney general.

According to the Arizona constitution, Napolitano's mid-term departure will elevate Secretary of State Jan Brewer to governor. Brewer is a Republican and that will give the GOP complete control over Arizona's government as they already control that state's House and Senate.