COMMENTARY | Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., has announced her resignation from her congressional seat to focus full time on her rehabilitation from injuries brought on by a gunshot wound to the inflicted over a year ago, according to CNN.
The resignation has sparked a special election for her seat, with a primary to take place in April, according to the National Journal, with a general election between the Democrat and Republican winners in June. While the redrawn 8th District is slightly more Democratic, since the special election is being held to fill the remainder of Giffords' term, it will be held in the old district.
Candidates have not stepped forward, but Tucson News Now suggests there are a number on both sides of the aisle who might run. On the Republican side, State Senator Frank Atenori, Dave Sitton, a local sports broadcaster, Jesse Kelly, who ran against Giffords in 2010, and Adam Hanson are possibilities. Democrats include state legislators Paula Aboud, Steve Farley and Matt Heinz, as well as Giffords' chief of state Pia Carusone and state director Ron Barber.
While the old 8th District leans Republican, Giffords won re-election of 2010 despite that contest being a Republican wave election. Because of her public struggle to recover from the shooting, Giffords remains extremely popular in her home district. It is uncertain whether that popularity would translate to a Democratic candidate.
The Republicans running for the seat will have to be very careful how they campaign. Giffords is untouchable. How the winner of the Republican primary campaigns will depend on who the Democrats choose in their contest. Likely both candidates will present themselves as a bipartisan, reach across the aisle politician that Giffords presented herself as in her own campaigns.
How to deal with issues like Obamacare will be a delicate question as well. Giffords was for it, but her constituents are against it. Health care as an issue touches on Giffords' rehab struggle.
Of course an endorsement from Giffords would likely seal the deal and retain her district in her party's column. Very likely, therefore, national Republicans will not view the special election as a high priority,
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