Pima County GOP Ready to Accept Giffords’ Resignation

Reacting to comments made by the Arizona Democratic Party’s spokesperson, who questioned whether Tim Bee can serve his constituents while campaigning for Congress, Pima County Republican Chair Judi White today said that her party was prepared to accept the resignation of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords who also finds herself in elected office while seeking re-election.

White, referring to yesterday’s press release from state Democratic Party Communications Director Emily Bittner, said she had faith in Bee’s ability to deliver for his constituents while campaigning for Congress, “However, if Gabby Giffords concurs with her party that the job is just too daunting, we are prepared to graciously accept the congresswoman’s resignation,” said White.

And thus continues the contentious campaign that will continue to wage as Senate President Bee gets ready to officially launch his campaign on Saturday. The Democratic party has been relentlessly hammering on Bee for months after he formed an exploratory committee in 2007 while waiting until after the Resign To Run law passed this week to officially announce he was running.

This week three candidates for Congress, Sen. Bee, Rep Mark Anderson and Corporations Commissioner Jeff Hatch-Miller all have announced or will announce their intentions to "officially" run. Yes the law is the law, but the law is a joke. Does anyone believe that any of these candidates waited until now to decide to run? No, we are not that ignorant. Should they have resigned according to the law? Probably, but with so many ways around the law it serves little purpose. No undecided voters are going to care about the issue on election day.

Bittner is quick to point out that Giffords did resign her state house seat to run for the congressional seat. But, it’s time to look at the law once and for all and either repeal it or put stronger restrictions to enforce what are obvious violations of the intent of the law. While Bittner is doing her job, and doing a good job at that, it's time the candidates move forward and now talk about the issues the voters will be determining their vote on.