Saturday, January 16, 2010

Giffords Responds to Paton Challenge

Posted By on Sat, Jan 16, 2010 at 7:26 PM

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Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords has already issued a statement responding to the challenge of state Sen. Jonathan Paton, even though Paton hasn't announced he's in the race yet:

I have known Jonathan since middle school and have been friends with him for years.

As a third generation Tucsonan and former businesswoman, I work hard to represent the independent minded men and women of Southern Arizona. I look forward to discussing our nation's most important issues with whomever the Republican nominee is.

I remain focused on the job that my constituents hired me to do. My priorities are Arizona’s priorities - securing our border, rebuilding the economy , supporting our military and veterans and ensuring access to affordable health care.

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This isn't the first time Giffords and Paton has tangled with one another. In 2000, they both ran for the Arizona House of Representatives in a midtown Tucson district that was then evenly split between Democrats and Republicans. Giffords won a seat; Paton lost, but would later win a House seat in Legislative District 30.

Illustrations by Rand Carlson.