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PHOENIX — Democratic state lawmaker Ann Kirkpatrick has resigned from the Legislature to run for the congressional seat now held by Republican Rick Renzi, but two GOP legislators also eyeing the seat said they're waiting for Renzi to tip his hand.

Rep. Bill Konopnicki, R-Safford, and Sen. Tom O'Halleran, R-Sedona, both have expressed interest in running for the 1st Congressional District seat, though neither has formed an exploratory committee.

Kirkpatrick, of Flagstaff, took that step last April in the midst of news reports regarding a search of a real estate business owned by Renzi's wife. Renzi has stepped down from his U.S. House committee assignments but remains in office.

Renzi's term runs through 2008. He has not announced if he will seek re-election.

Kirkpatrick resigned from the Legislature last week when she announced she would run for the seat.

State law bars elected officials from staying in office while running for another office except in the last year of their terms.

In the wake of Kirkpatrick's resignation, Konopnicki told the Arizona Capitol Times that he remains interested in running for Congress but has no immediate plans to resign.

Konopnicki also said he will not decide if he will seek re-election to the state House or make a bid for the congressional seat until Renzi "says one way or the other what he's going to do."

O'Halleran also said he is still considering running, but that he will defer to Renzi and let the congressman run for re-election if he chooses.

Along with Kirkpatrick, attorney Howard Shanker and former television newscaster Mary Kim Titla have announced their candidacies for the Democratic nomination.

The Coconino County Board of Supervisors will appoint a legislative replacement for Kirkpatrick.