Related articles:

Will Napolitano be part of Obama administration? Obama's choice of Napolitano sets course for political shift in Arizona Nation's gain would be a loss for Arizona If Napolitano leaves, a trend stays Napolitano's accolades are bipartisan Napolitano keeping her options open

Construction
West-Press
Printing Mechanical
Komatsu Equipment Co
Resident Field Mechanic Sales and Marketing
Everready Glass
Sales Reps Trades/Construction
RANCHO RESORT
MAINTANANCE POSITION Health Care
Dependable Health Services
Physical Therapists Health Care
CENTRAL ARIZONA COLLEGE
DIRECTOR OF HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT Health Care
Sierra Tucson
Eating Disorders Program Coordinator

Nov. 29, 1957

Janet Napolitano is born in New York City. Her family later moves to Albuquerque, where she graduates from high school.

She earns a degree in political science from Santa Clara University in California, where she is valedictorian, and later graduates from the University of Virginia with a law degree.

October 1991

Napolitano is part of a legal team representing Anita Hill, who accuses Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment. The accusations by Hill generate ample controversy, but Thomas is still confirmed.

November 1993

President Clinton nominates Napolitano for U.S. attorney representing Arizona. November 1998: Napolitano is elected Arizona attorney general, making her part of what was branded the "fab five" — women who that year were elected to all the top offices in the state.

October 2002

In a bid for Arizona governor, Napolitano forms an unlikely political alliance with Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Arpaio, an outspoken conservative Republican, defends Napolitano against GOP attacks in a television ad. Six years later, with Arpaio facing a tough reelection fight, Napolitano declines to endorse his Democratic rival.

November 2002

Napolitano wins her race for governor against Republican Matt Salmon, a former congressman, by about 11,000 votes.

November 2004

Napolitano opposes Proposition 200, which both requires voters to show identification at the polls and denies state benefits to illegal immigrants. The measure passes with broad support, and Napolitano begins crafting a tougher stance against immigration.

March 2006

Napolitano finds herself increasingly at odds with fellow Democrats, particularly Hispanics, on border issues. She calls for National Guard troops on the border and favors using state tax dollars to set up radar to catch illegal immigrants.

November 2006

Napolitano is reelected, beating Republican Len Munsil with nearly 70 percent of the popular vote.

Jan. 11, 2008

Napolitano endorses Barack Obama in the lead-up to Arizona's presidential preference election.

Faced with questions about whether she was positioning herself for a job in an Obama administration, Napolitano side-stepped, saying, "My plan is to serve out as governor of Arizona."

The following day, pressed further about her future at a press conference, Napolitano told reporters, "I like my job. ... Thank you all very much."

Feb. 5, 2008

Napolitano's endorsement of Obama rattles Hillary Clinton supporters, but Obama loses the Feb. 5 Democratic primary.

After Clinton handily wins the state, Napolitano downplays her endorsement.

Napolitano says that if the nomination becomes a fight at the Democratic convention, she'll cast her vote for Obama even though Clinton won the state.

Aug. 26, 2008

In her speech at the Democratic National Convention, Napolitano gives a little history lesson to those in attendance, pointing out that Arizona Sen. John McCain wasn't the first person from the state to seek the nation's top job. Others ran unsuccessfully: Barry Goldwater, Mo Udall and Bruce Babbitt.

And then she added: "Speaking for myself, and for at least this coming election, this is one Arizona tradition I'd like to see continue."

Napolitano spends the rest of the election campaigning for Obama around the country.

November 2008

Just days after Obama beats McCain, Napolitano emerges as high on the list of contenders for secretary of homeland security. Talk about an attorney general appointment dies after Obama selects former Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder.

— Compiled by Daniel Scarpinato