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Counselor

Name: Gabrielle Giffords

Office seeking: U.S. Congress, District 8

Party registration: Democrat

Age: 38

Occupation/employer: Congresswoman/Congressional District 8 (previously small-business owner)

Family: Husband, Mark Kelly; step-daughters Claire and Claudia

Religion: Jewish

Income: Congressional annual salary for 2007 was $168,000

Residence: Third-generation - Tucson

Education: Cornell University, Master of Regional Planning, Ithaca, NY, 1994-1996; William J. Fulbright Scholar, Chihuahua, Mexico, 1993-1994; Scripps College, B.A., Claremont, CA, 1990-93

Offices held/run for: U.S. representative, Congressional District 8, AZ (2006-2008); senator, Arizona Legislature, District 28 (2002-2005); representative, Arizona Legislature, District 13 (2000-2002)

Civic activities/organizations: Past Metropolitan YMCA of Tucson, board of directors; past Arizona Friends of Small Business, board of directors; past 162nd Air National Guard Minuteman Committee, board of directors; past Tucson Arts District Partnership, board of directors

Why are you running? As a third-generation Tucsonan, I come from a family with deep roots in Arizona. I started volunteering at age 8 and grew up with a strong sense of public service. I am running for re-election to Congress because I believe that our country is made of smart and hardworking people who can do remarkable things when guided by sound laws, inspiration and true determination.

The biggest issue facing my constituents is: Jobs and our economy — short term and long term: Congress cannot sit on the sidelines as home foreclosures, consumer expenses, and unemployment rates continue to increase. Tackling high gas prices involves a release of oil from our Strategic Petroleum Reserves, increased domestic drilling on lands that have leases, better conservation measures and fuel efficiency standards, and a crackdown on gasoline price gouging. The government needs to take measures to help families avoid foreclosure and keep value in their homes.

In the long term, we need leaders with the vision and courage to create sustainable prosperity in America for generations to come. It is imperative that Congress put an end to deficit-spending and reform the tax code to help middle class families. We need to invest in renewable energy that will create new industries and good-paying jobs. Most importantly, the long-term strength of our economy requires that our children receive the education they need to compete in the global marketplace.

Favorite local hangout: We have many great local places — I can often be found at Sabino Canyon or Reid Park.

NPR or FOX? It is important to hear all perspectives — I listen to one on the radio and watch the other on television.

How long have you lived in Arizona? Since birth, with the exception of a few years away for school.

What kind of vehicle do you drive? In D.C., I walk to work. In Tucson, I drive a '99 4Runner.

What kind of mileage does it get? Around 19 mpg.

If I could have dinner with any living person, I would choose: My husband, Mark. In politics I meet a lot of interesting people, but dinner with him is the best time spent.

If I had my own reality show, it would be titled: "The Astronaut and the Congresswoman."

As a Member of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, I have visited our servicemen and women in Iraq twice — they are carrying out their mission with professionalism and honor. First and foremost, any redeployment must focus on protecting our forces as they leave. Logistical realities must also be taken into account as U.S. forces transition from extensive combat operations to a limited training and counterinsurgency program. Deployments ending in provinces under Iraqi control should be replaced, in the next rotation, by units to Afghanistan to meet requirements there. As our troops depart in a responsible manner, Iraqi Security Forces will be forced to step up to create additional stability in other provinces. We need to gradually reduce equipment levels as well by redeploying functional equipment to Afghanistan from units rotating out of Iraq and make an effort to transition equipment to the Iraqis that is too costly to bring home.

Our nation is confronting serious instability in our financial markets that threatens the strength of the entire U.S. economy. Wall Street companies must pay the price for their predatory lending, irresponsible trading and greed. Years of deregulation and minimal oversight by the federal government have encouraged this behavior. I support responsible federal action to ensure that we protect retirement accounts, student loans, mortgages and lines of credit for our businesses.

The Bush administration's request for an unrestricted and unfettered $700 billion bailout for Wall Street was unacceptable. Democrats and Republicans must keep working together to develop a more responsible solution to both short-term and long-term problems in our financial markets and economy. Taxpayers must be ensured a long-term return on our investment of this level of resources.

Limited and responsible expansion of off-shore drilling can play a role in addressing our nation's energy crisis but only as part of balanced legislation that includes renewable alternatives. That is why I voted for the Comprehensive American Energy Security & Consumer Protection Act that helps end our nation's dependence on foreign oil, increase national security and advance the use of clean, renewable sources of energy like solar. It includes additional monitored offshore drilling as well as the critically important extension of solar investment tax credits to spark innovations and research in this industry. Solar power represents one of our nation's best hopes for a clean, secure and sustainable energy future. The bottom line is that we must produce America's energy in America.

The Tucson Sector remains the most porous part of the U.S. – Mexico border as illegal immigrants, drugs and guns flood into America through our communities. All options to address these issues should be on the table. Modern technologies including radar, UAV's and other methods of electronic surveillance must be deployed in addition to hiring more Border Patrol agents, creating a strategy for new infrastructure, and improving cooperation between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Ultimately, however, being secure goes beyond stopping the flow of illegal activity over the border. It requires economic stability in both nations, a viable guest worker program and addressing the issue of people who are in the United States living without documentation. Passing comprehensive immigration reform legislation is the only way to create real security — and that remains a top priority from me.

Failing. This administration has left America in a vulnerable state — our economy is in crisis, our military is over-stretched, and our relationships around the world are strained. President Bush promoted a failed energy policy for eight years and we are now experiencing the consequences with high prices at the pump and increased dependence on foreign oil. He squandered American resources and credibility by leading us into Iraq despite the fact that the 9/11 terrorists were not from that country and there were no weapons of mass destruction.

Most seriously, this administration has ignored hard-working Americans. President Bush has vetoed legislation to expand children's health insurance while implementing policies that have resulted in rising unemployment, record foreclosures and stagnant wages.

Needs improvement: The 110th Congress has made progress, but there is much more work to do. We have passed landmark ethics and earmark reform, we are cracking down on lobbyists, we created a new ethics commission, and we are fighting for policies that improve life for average American families. I have worked to improve bipartisanship – over 70 percent of key bills have passed with support from both Republicans and Democrats. Major accomplishments include: a new GI bill of Rights and record veterans funding, middle-class tax cuts, an increase in fuel standards for cars, and a minimum wage increase. There are also many critical issues that Congress has yet to tackle: comprehensive immigration reform, strong actions to reduce our dependency on foreign oil, and an effective diplomatic and military strategy in Afghanistan and the Middle East.