Janet Napolitano Won't Be U.S. Attorney General; Obama Wants Lawyer Eric Holder for Job

Republican Jan Brewer, now the secretary of state, would automatically become governor for the remainder of Napolitano's term -- until 2010 -- if Janet stepped down.

By Ray Stern

November 18, 2008

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By Ray Stern

Barack Obama wants to make Eric Holder Jr., a veteran Washington D.C. lawyer, the U.S. Attorney General, putting a apparent end to speculation that Arizona's governor might get the job.

Quoting anonymous sources, Newsweek today reported that Obama is "almost certain" to give the post to Holder.

Napolitano had been considered a front-runner for the gig, and is possibly still in the running for Homeland Security chief.

The idea of Napolitano in D.C. tickles some of her supporters, but worries Democrats who fear a reign of political terror by Republicans, who would then control the state Legislature and the governor's office. Republican Jan Brewer, now the secretary of state, would automatically become governor for the remainder of Napolitano's term -- until 2010 -- if Janet stepped down.

Eric Holder Jr.

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Ray Stern is the former news editor of Phoenix New Times. He worked as a newspaper reporter in Arizona for more than two decades. He's won numerous awards for his reporting, including the Arizona Press Club's Don Bolles Award for Investigative Journalism.