Janet Napolitano, the popular two-term governor of Utah next-door neighbor Arizona has experience with immigration and border security and a background as a prosecutor.

The 51-year-old has worked with Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. in the Western Governors Association on such diverse issues as energy independence, climate change and immigration.

In 2006, Napolitano and Huntsman co-authored an opinion piece published in The Salt Lake Tribune, calling for a comprehensive overhaul of immigration laws and policies.

Among other things, the two called for enhanced border security - including the use of aerial

drones, radar and ground-based sensors - coupled with a guest-worker program and streamlined visa program.

Arizona has shared another issue with Utah - polygamy. Napolitano signed into law a bill, modeled after Utah statute, making it a felony for a married adult to wed a child.

Napolitano has little track record on some of the major challenges facing Homeland Security or controversies such as the use of torture and domestic wiretaps in pursuit of intelligence.

One area of possible contention, according to the New York Times, was her role as a counselor to Anita F. Hill during the Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Clarence Thomas. Some Republicans haven't forgotten the fracas. Utah's Sen. Orrin Hatch, of course,

was an outspoken champion of Thomas and a critic of Hill.