Hourly Update

Giffords leaves state Senate in pursuit of Kolbe's House seat

PHOENIX - Gabrielle Giffords quit the state Senate Thursday to run for Congress, setting off what could be a political chain reaction of sorts. Giffords, a Democrat, wants the seat in the U.S. House of Representatives being vacated when incumbent Rep. Jim Kolbe retires at the end of next year. While the district is predominantly Republican, Giffords said voters will support a Democrat if the Republican nominee is more conservative than Kolbe. Thursday's announcement provides the Pima County Board of Supervisors enough time to choose a replacement before the legislative session begins on July 9. Both David Bradley and Ted Downing, the two state representatives from the district that encompasses much of Tucson's north and northeast sides, are expected to seek the appointment. But if the board names one of them, that, in turn, creates a new vacancy in the House of Representatives - one which the board then would have to fill. Giffords would not endorse a successor, saying she believes the Democratic precinct committeemen in the district, who have to nominate three contenders, should forward the names of both representatives to the supervisors. But Giffords also said she would like to see at least one woman representing the district, if not in her seat, then replacing either Bradley or Downing. "I certainly understand Gabrielle Giffords' enthusiasm to appoint a woman," said Sharon Bronson. She chairs the Pima County Board of Supervisors and, like Giffords, is a Democrat. But Bronson said while there are qualified women in the district, she knows of none at this point who would be interested in a legislative seat. Giffords did not have to resign to run for Congress. State law requires sitting elected officials to quit only if they formally announce their interest in another office before the last year of their term. And Giffords, who has yet to make such a formal declaration, could wait until Jan. 9. That would give her the political benefit - and media exposure - of being a sitting legislator speaking out and voting on issues. But Giffords noted that she sits on three busy Senate committees: appropriations, commerce and finance. She said that, coupled with the travel time between Tucson and Phoenix, would leave her little time to run a proper congressional campaign. Her decision to run was expected after Kolbe announced just last week he would not seek a 12th term in Congress. Giffords said she would not have challenged the him had he wanted another term. Kolbe's decision also set the stage for what could be a crowded Republican primary to replace him. Former state Rep. Randy Graf, who lost to Kolbe in the GOP primary in 2004, already was in the race when the incumbent made his announcement. But others have now expressed interest, including Pima County Supervisor Ray Carroll, state Reps. Steve Huffman and Jonathan Paton, former state Sen. Keith Bee and Republican party activist Mike Hellon. Also weighing a bid is Senate Majority Leader Tim Bee. But Bee also is weighing whether he has the votes to be the next Senate president - the first Senate president from Tucson in three decades. Kolbe, for his part, has so far refused to endorse anyone - other than to specifically urge his constituents not to vote for Graf. He said Graf is so far out of the mainstream that having him as the Republican nominee would virtually assure that seat going to a Democrat. Giffords hopes to attract at least some moderate GOP support as Republicans hold a registration edge in the district of about 20,000. She described herself as a "pro-business Democrat," noting she owns a commercial property management firm. Giffords said she has been supported by both business groups and labor unions, and by developers and environmentalist. Whether she can appeal to Republicans remains to be proven: In the last election she picked up 64 percent of the vote, a figure close to the division of Democrats over Republicans in the legislative district.