Napolitano staying out of race for Kyl's Senate seat

Former Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, now President Barack Obama's Homeland Security secretary, will not run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring three-term Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz.

Sean Smith, a Homeland Security spokesman, said in written statement:

"Secretary Napolitano told senior Democratic Party leaders earlier this week that she will not seek Arizona's open U.S. Senate seat in 2012. She cares deeply about Arizona, but the Secretary intends to continue doing the job that the President asked her to do - protecting the American people from terrorism and other threats to our country. She's focused on continuing to strengthen our counter-terrorism initiatives, border security, immigration enforcement, transportation and cyber security,
and disaster preparedness."

Napolitano is considered one of the Arizona Democrats' biggest stars, although a recent statewide poll found her with an uncomfortably high unfavorable rating. She is the second Democratic heavy-hitter to withdraw their name from speculation about the Senate race. Former Arizona Democratic Party Chairman Jim Pederson, who ran against Kyl in 2006, also said he won't run for the open seat.

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http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/azdc/119299