Gov. Janet Napolitano told reporters Monday that the process that she hopes will lead her from the governor's office to the Department of Homeland Security is "well under way," but offered few new details on what that transition may look like.

Napolitano appeared with Arizona Secretary of State Jan Brewer, who will become governor if Napolitano is confirmed as Secretary of Homeland Security by the Senate, hours after she was officially nominated by President-elect Obama in Chicago Monday morning. Napolitano said she and Obama have been discussing her potential role in his administration for "some months," though how soon her nomination to become Secretary of Homeland Security could turn into a confirmation is unknown, she said.

"Obviously we're still completing all the top security clearances I need, but that's well underway," Napolitano said. "In terms of a timeline for confirmation, I don't have one. I know they will want to proceed with as much speed as they can, but again that's up to the Senate and the White House."

Asked if she felt the people of Arizona would see her move to Washington as something of an abandonment, Napolitano explained: 

"I think most Arizonans, in fact when they think about it, understand that this a call to public service, and I will always have Arizona in my heart and in my mind, but the president has called, the president-elect has called, and it's a very difficult time in our nation's history, a very pivotal time in our nation's history."