Janet Napolitano

Janet Napolitano is an American politician and lawyer who served as the 21st governor of Arizona from 2003 to 2009. A member of the Democratic Party, she was the first female governor of Arizona to be elected outright and the first to succeed another elected female governor. Napolitano's political career includes significant roles such as the United States Secretary of Homeland Security under President Barack Obama and president of the University of California system. Her tenure as governor was marked by a focus on education, fiscal responsibility, and public safety, alongside a notable record of vetoes.

Early life and career

Janet Ann Napolitano was born on November 29, 1957, in New York City. She is the daughter of Jane Marie Winer and Leonard Michael Napolitano, who served as the dean of the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. Her family background includes Italian, German, and Austrian ancestry. Napolitano is the eldest of three siblings, having a younger brother and sister. She spent her formative years in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she completed her secondary education at Sandia High School in 1975.

Napolitano pursued higher education at Santa Clara University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in political science, graduating summa cum laude in 1979. During her time at Santa Clara, she distinguished herself as the first female valedictorian and was recognized as a Truman Scholar. She was also inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. Following her undergraduate studies, Napolitano attended the University of Virginia School of Law, obtaining her Juris Doctor degree in 1983. After law school, she served as a law clerk for Judge Mary M. Schroeder of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit before joining the law firm Lewis and Roca in Phoenix, where she became a partner in 1989.

In 1991, while still a partner at Lewis and Roca, Napolitano gained national attention for her role as an attorney for Anita Hill during Hill's testimony regarding allegations of sexual harassment against Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas. In 1993, she was appointed by President Bill Clinton as the United States Attorney for the District of Arizona, a position she held until 1997. During her tenure, she was involved in high-profile cases, including the investigation related to the Oklahoma City bombing. Following her time as U.S. Attorney, Napolitano successfully ran for the office of Arizona Attorney General in 1998. As attorney general, she focused on consumer protection and law enforcement, and she notably defended Arizona's death penalty statute before the United States Supreme Court.

Governorship

Janet Napolitano was elected governor of Arizona in 2002, securing her position with approximately 46 percent of the vote against her Republican opponent, former congressman Matt Salmon, who garnered around 45 percent. This election made her Arizona's third female governor and marked a significant moment in U.S. history, as she was the first woman to be elected governor in the United States after another woman. Her election also represented a shift in Arizona's political landscape, as she was the first Democrat to be popularly elected to the governorship since Bruce Babbitt left office in 1987.

During her governorship, Napolitano gained recognition for her leadership and decision-making. She was a prominent figure at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, where she was considered a potential running mate for presidential candidate John Kerry, although he ultimately chose Senator John Edwards. In 2005, she was recognized by Time magazine as one of the five best governors in the United States.

Napolitano's time in office was characterized by a significant number of vetoes, setting records for the total number issued by an Arizona governor. In 2005, she issued 58 vetoes in a single legislative session, surpassing the previous record of 28 set by her predecessor. By the end of her term, she had issued a total of 180 vetoes, breaking the prior record of 114 held by Bruce Babbitt.

Her administration prioritized educational initiatives, leading to the establishment of voluntary full-day kindergarten in Arizona, which had previously only funded half-day programs. She also initiated a literacy program and secured funding for increased teacher salaries. Additionally, Napolitano made substantial investments in higher education, including the development of a Phoenix campus for the University of Arizona College of Medicine.

Fiscal responsibility was another hallmark of her governorship. Napolitano successfully built the state's rainy day fund to over $650 million, the largest amount recorded at that time. She played a crucial role in promoting tourism and economic development, including efforts to host Super Bowl XLII in Glendale, Arizona, and expanding the number of teams in the Cactus League.

Policy focus and legacy

Throughout her governorship, Janet Napolitano focused on a range of policy issues that shaped her legacy in Arizona. Education was a central theme, with her administration advocating for reforms aimed at improving the quality of education in the state. Her initiatives in this area included efforts to enhance early childhood education and increase funding for higher education institutions.

In addition to education, Napolitano's administration was marked by a commitment to public safety and law enforcement. She responded to border security concerns by being one of the first governors to call for the National Guard to assist at the U.S.-Mexico border. Her approach to public safety included addressing issues related to crime and community safety, which were significant concerns for Arizona residents.

Napolitano's legacy also includes her role in promoting economic development and tourism in Arizona. Her efforts to attract major events, such as the Super Bowl, and to invest in the state's infrastructure contributed to Arizona's economic growth during her tenure. Furthermore, her record number of vetoes reflects her willingness to take a stand on various legislative issues, often prioritizing her policy goals over party lines.

After leaving office, Napolitano continued her public service career, serving as the United States Secretary of Homeland Security from 2009 to 2013 and later as the president of the University of California system from 2013 to 2020. Her contributions to public policy and governance have been recognized through various accolades, including being named one of the world's most powerful women by Forbes in 2012 and 2013. Napolitano's career reflects a commitment to public service and a focus on issues that have had a lasting impact on Arizona and the nation.