Age: 50
Bio: Born in New York City, reared in Albuquerque
Education: Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, Calif., University of Virginia Law School
Posts: Former federal prosecutor, state attorney general and twice-elected governor of Arizona
Personal: Single, no children. A breast cancer survivor. Climbs mountains, plays tennis.
Would bring to the job: Pragmatism and nonpartisanship. Promotes herself as a postpartisan executive governing from the center. Allies and adversaries alike praise her as having a sharp mind.
AP, NEW YORK TIMES