Napolitano may join Obama Cabinet

Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano will be the new secretary of Homeland Security, CNN reported late Wednesday, just hours after the governor insisted she is "not campaigning or seeking a job'' in the Obama administration.

The network quoted multiple Democratic sources close to President-elect Barack Obama's transition team.

This morning, The New York Times, citing Democrats with knowledge of the process, reported Napolitano was about to be offered the job. The Washington Post and The Politico Web site also report that she is Obama's choice.

Democratic officials who spoke on condition of anonymity tell The Associated Press that Napolitano is a leading contender. But they caution that no final decision has been made.

If the governor goes to Washington, that would make Republican Secretary of State Jan Brewer the governor for the rest of Napolitano's term, which runs through 2010. Brewer has told Capitol Media Services things would be different if she were in charge. "I'm certainly not a tax-and-spend elected official,'' she said.

The CNN report comes just hours after Napolitano expressed annoyance at questions about Pennsylvania Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell, who disavowed any interest in stepping down during the middle of his term for a job in Obama's administration. Rendell said through an aide that such a move would elevate a Republican to the state's chief executive, putting the state in the hands of those "who have diametrically opposed philosophic views on the role of government.''

"Look, let me just say it and get this out of the way: I believe it is for the president-elect to make his Cabinet appointments in the way he sees fit,'' Napolitano said. "It is his prerogative. I am not campaigning or seeking a job. I like the job I have right now.''

Napolitano press aide Jeanine L'Ecuyer declined to comment late Wednesday, saying there has been no formal announcement from Obama.