It was the first time she ran for a political office and became one of the most voted-for politicians in the municipality, receiving 1,502 votes.

She was appointed Minister of Interior and Social Affairs in the Lars Løkke Rasmussen I Cabinet, starting 7 April 2009.

At the time she had not been involved in environmental politics, which was commented on by the Danish Society for Nature Conservation and the opposition parties.

After the election Venstre had majority support in the Folketing, and Lars Løkke Rasmussen became the prime minister again.

She held this position until 28 November 2016, where Venstre went into a coalition government with Liberal Alliance and Conservative People's Party in the Lars Løkke Rasmussen III Cabinet.