Giffords Had Eye on Jon Kyl's Seat

Gabrielle Giffords had her eye on a Senate seat before she was wounded in last month’s shooting, the Washington Post reports. She had told confidantes that she’d enter the race if Sen. Jon Kyl retired—a prospect she didn’t think likely, an insider said. Now that Kyl has announced his retirement, it remains to be seen whether Giffords still wants the seat, or would be physically capable of hitting the campaign trail.

Those close to her see a possibility that she’ll run—and if she does, she’d likely be a major contender. She’s a hero in the state (and beyond), and she’s a talented fundraiser and campaigner, the Post notes. Indeed, the possibility of her candidacy could keep other potential Democratic hopefuls quiet for a while as she mulls her decision; Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has been seen as a top Democratic contender for the seat.