Following Raul

Democrat glee could morph into misery

Speculation is running high regarding the possibility Gov. Janet Napolitano would take a hike from her ninth floor governor’s office perch if Barack Obama wins the presidency. As a liberal who jumped on the Obama bandwagon as an early endorser, she is being mentioned as a Vice Presidential choice, candidate for U.S. Attorney General or even Supreme Court justice.

Arizona has had a governor jump ship before.

Another Democrat, Raul Castro, was elected to the state’s highest office in 1974. Much to the surprise of Arizonans, Castro, a Mexican-born, naturalized citizen, left to take a Carter appointment as ambassador to Argentina just two years into his term.

The move put an unforeseen turn of events into play. Castro was succeeded in office by popular Secretary of State Wesley Bolin, who had served in that capacity nearly 30 years. Within months of becoming governor, however, Democrat Bolin suffered a fatal heart attack.

Democrat Bruce Babbitt, then Arizona’s Attorney General, was next in line of succession, and became governor in 1978.

This time around, the stakes would be considerably higher. Jan Brewer, Arizona’s Secretary of State, is a Republican—a fact not lost on Arizona’s Democrat hierarchy. No political novice, she was elected as a state representative, followed by a stint as state senator, where she was Majority Whip. Her background is varied, with her membership on various committees giving her a breadth of experience on a wide range of issues from health care to taxes. Later she was elected to the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors where she served admirably as chairman.

If Napolitano were to depart for the environs of D.C., the exceptionally capable Jan Brewer would be the Democrat’s worst nightmare.