Obama Lands Arizona Gov.'s Endorsement

By Chris Cillizza, The Fix
Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano will endorse Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign today, according to two sources familiar with the decision.

Napolitano's endorsement has literal and symbolic significance. As a popular western state governor, she could prove as an effective surrogate for Obama in Nevada's Jan. 19 caucuses.

Napolitano is also one of a handful of female governors in the country, and her decision to go with Obama could undercut Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's attempts to unify female elected officials behind her candidacy.

Arizona has traditionally gone for the GOP presidential candidate in past general elections, but it is increasingly becoming a swing state, due at least in part to the large Latino population.