Gabrielle Giffords gets a liberal challenger

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., center, gets a hug as she appears on the floor of the House of Representatives Monday, Aug. 1, 2011, in Washington, D.C. Giffords was on the floor for the first time since her shooting earlier this year, attending a vote on the debt standoff compromise.

/ AP Photo/House Television

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, the Arizona Democrat still recovering from being critically wounded in a mass shooting in January, hasn't said yet whether she'll run for re-election, but she already is facing a challenger from the left.

Elementary special education teacher Anthony Prowell of Tucson has filed to run against Giffords as a Democrat, the Los Angeles Times reports, on the promise of representing everyday people's concerns in Congress. Prowell, however, is registered as an Independent and has received zero support from the Democratic party. He told the Times he may decide to run as a Green part candidate rather than as a Democrat.

Prowell said he would have challenged Giffords regardless of the Tucson shooting that killed six people and injured 13, including Giffords. Yet he said he was also motivated by the fact that Giffords may not run for re-election, potentially leaving the seat open for a Republican.

Republican State Sen. Frank Antenori has filed papers for a possible run against Giffords and will make his final decision based on variables such as possible changes to district boundaries. Meanwhile, Antenori this week questioned whether Giffords is fit to sufficiently represent her district. "Can she do this next term to the same degree of every member of Congress, is she able to continue that level of energy?" he asked in an interview with The Hill.

Prowell reportedly called Giffords' office to notify her staff about his candidacy and to inquire about whether she's made a decision about running for re-election. He said they told her she would decide in eight to 10 months, though that's past filing deadlines.

While Giffords has yet to decide, the head of the Democratic party, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, said earlier this month she expects her close friend to return to Congress "full-time."

Jennifer Johnson, the Arizona Democratic Party spokeswoman, added that Arizona Democrats support Giffords. "Gabby will make her decision on her own timetable, and nobody is stopping him or anyone else from entering the CD 8 race," she said, the Arizona Republic reports.

[AOCGUY]

As much as I feel for Rep Giffords, her district deserves a full-time congressman. She needs to step down, concentrate on recovery, and let someone else take on the job that she is currently not able to do. Once fully recovered she could then run again.

It may seem harsh but no one "deserves" the job. Arizona on the other hand does deserve a full-time representative.

[RAR111]

How fitting, Liberals only care about others when it doesn't inconveience them. Whats the matter, afraid she will not remember she is a liberal set on destroying America.

[DarcyLKeith]

As a survivor of two severe TBIs (one to my left lobe like Gabby), I was contacted by an Indianapolis TV station to give advice to Gabby on her return to work in Congress since I successfully have returned to my analytical job. We are also about the same age.

Some of us TBI survivors recover sooner, some later. My advice to her is not to take on too much, too soon, and for those around her to balance expectations with patience. Time will tell, as each injury is different. That said, if I can do it, I want to give her hope that she can, too.

[JV1970]

I regret what happened to Giffords. Something like that should never happen to anyone but if Giffords isn't able to do the job then she should step down and let someone else be elected to her seat. Someone needs to be representing the people of her district. She shouldn't expect that her seat be held open indefinitely.

[tonyatq]

She can do a better job in the condition she is in than any TEABAGGER.

[JV1970]

tonyatq I'm in a good mood so therefore I'm going to try to be nice to you. However I don't think you engaged your brain before you typed. I didn't say a word about the Tea Party or Republicans. I tried to type at least a half way intelligent comment that wasn't argumentative. Apparently you just want to start an argument. I don't think that you're considering the fact that the people of Gifford's district are without representation in congress. I guess you don't care about that!

[carolo43]

Thinking with my head instead of my heart, I have to agree. This is not a job that is guaranteed. People resign due to accident and health all the time. If you can not be there to do the job then you should reseign.

She should continue with her rehab and after she is improved then look to get back into politics. If another election comes open for her, she would be a shoo-in. But right now ever vote is needed and she simply is unable to do her job. Frankly I think she should have offered to resign herself. What if this was due to an auto accident? Would her seat expect to be open forever?

AZ had no represenative for 8 months now. No one knows where she is mentally or if she can ever function fully again.

[roblearns]

What a non-story. In a Democracy, anyone can file to run for Congress.

Let 1,000 people file for the seat - nobody owns it.

The people will decide. LIkely the incumbent will win, that's always been true, and more so in this case.

Obviously these people are filling, in case she doesn't run for re-election, they'd like to fill the open seat. She hasn't announced what she will do.

[hsinco-2009]

I think it is another Repug fake Dem candidate.

They do that you know!

[Jaylah54]

While I certainly wish Ms Giffords a full recovery, having been brain-injured myself, I know that takes a lot longer than the few months it's been since her injury. I also know how it takes ALL of your concentration and physical energy to recover.

So I do question, sadly, whether she will actually be recovered enough to resume her Congressional seat and office in time for the 2012 election cycle.

I would rather see Gabby gain as much recovery as possible, rather than rush herself back into Congress.

[samXXkiley]

coucou,
Gabrielle Gifford is reestablished, it is time to return
"au revoir"