Barack Obama’s historic victory in Tuesday’s presidential election may not impede the attempt to get an Arizonan in the next administration.

Gov. Janet Napolitano announced Wednesday her role in Obama’s presidential transition team, which works to prepare the incoming administration for day one of the presidency. And one ASU professor says her participation in Obama’s presidency may not stop there.

Jeanine L’Ecuyer, a spokeswoman for the governor, said Napolitano has been working with the transition team on issues related to states, including policies regarding Medicare and immigration.

“She has been working informally as part of the transition force for several weeks now,” L’Ecuyer said. “At this point, it appears she will continue to do more of the same.”

Napolitano was very active in Obama’s campaign, especially in Ohio and the Southwest, L’Ecuyer said.

“She and Sen. Obama are friends … He sought her advice in the campaign, and she gave it.”

This form of advising is expected to continue at least until Inauguration Day in January, but L’Ecuyer would not say if Napolitano will play any role in an Obama administration.

L’Ecuyer said the governor has not received any offers to serve on Obama’s cabinet, and she would not speculate on the possibility.

Political science assistant professor Paul Lewis, who specializes in urban politics, local government and public policy, said Napolitano will probably accept a position in an Obama administration if one is offered, but only if it is politically advantageous on all sides.

“It’s a weighing of costs and benefits,” Lewis said. “She has got two more full years in office [as governor], so it could be she, or other powers that be, would want her to wait out her term here.”

He said important positions in Obama’s cabinet will also be available in 2010 because people come and go from administrations. In that case, Napolitano would not be giving up an opportunity by staying in Arizona until her term is up.

Lewis said Napolitano must also decide if a cabinet position is in her best interest.

“She is certainly someone who has political ambitions beyond her current position,” he said. “Some people go to cabinet positions and become real media-savvy centers of attention. Others kind of disappear into the woodwork.”

Recent speculation has suggested Napolitano may receive an offer for a position like attorney general or secretary of education, but Lewis said the offer itself may be part of her decision.

“A position like attorney general, that’s always an important one, and that’s something Napolitano is cut out for,” he said. “There will be no shortage, probably, of good candidates for secretary of education.”

He said it is unlikely she would accept a “minor-league” cabinet position.

Another possibility for Napolitano is to stay in Arizona until her term as governor is up, which coincides with the end of Sen. John McCain’s current term, Lewis said. If she is not offered or does not accept a cabinet position, she could run for Senate at that point.

“I get the sense she knows what’s in her best interest,” he said.

Lewis said Napolitano’s support of Obama while Sen. Hillary Clinton was still a viable contender in the election may have played an important role in her relationship with Obama.

“Her being named to this transition team … does indicate the level of trust he puts in her, so it could be a sign,” he said.

Reach the reporter at adam.sneed@asu.edu.