Napolitano Top Contender For Homeland Security

Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano is emerging as President-elect Barack Obama's top contender for the head of the Homeland Security Department.

Fifty year old Janet Napolitano is a former United States attorney for Arizona and state attorney general. Being the governor of a border state, Janet is closely involved in immigration issues, which also falls under the Department of Homeland Security's jurisdiction.

With over 200,000 employees and a budget of $52 billion, The Department of Homeland Security is the third largest cabinet department, after the Department of Defense and the Department of veteran Affairs. As head of the Homeland Security Department Napolitano will be responsible for protecting the United States from terrorist attacks and responding to natural disasters.