Gabrielle Giffords, the Democratic U. S. Representative from Arizona who survived a gunshot to the head last January, said she is resigning from Congress so that she can devote herself to her needed-rehabilitation. In her announcement, she said:
I don’t remember much from that horrible day, but I will never forget the trust you placed in me to be your voice. Thank you for your prayers and for giving me time to recover. I have more work to do on my recovery so to do what is best for Arizona. I will step down this week. I’m getting better every day. My spirit is high. I will return, and we will work together for Arizona and this great country.
CLICK HERE to VIEW GABBY GIFFORDS' RECORDED ANNOUNCEMENT
On January 8, 2011, Giffords was shot in the parking lot of a Tucson, Arizona supermarket where she was to speak to the community she represents. The shooting killed six people and injured thirteen others. Her recovery has been taking place in Houston, Texas, but she has returned to Arizona several times during the past year.
Giffords is expected to formally resign after President Barack Obama’s State of the Union Address of which she will be attending in Washington, D.C. Arizona’s Gov. Janice Brewer will then set a date for a special election to replace Giffords in Congress. By Arizona law, Brewer will need to set a primary election date to be held 80-to-90 days after Giffords formally resigns, and then a general election date 50-60 days after the primary election.
When her resignation was speculated in the past, it was thought that Mark Kelly, Giffords’ husband and a former U.S. astronaut, might replace her. He is the person that the Democratic Party is looking to at this time as a replacement for Giffords.
Source: Politico
Comments