Michael McNulty

U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Tucson) raised $562,138 in the second quarter of the year, bringing her cash on hand total to almost $2.1 million, according to her campaign. Her opponent in the 8th Congressional District race, state Sen. Pres. Tim Bee (R-Tucson), will not be releasing his second quarter figures until Tuesday or Wednesday.

Giffords campaign chairman Michael McNulty noted in the release announcing the totals that last quarter's contributions came from 1,898 individual contributors, with the average contribution coming in at around $200.

"This tells me that the voters in our district know better than anyone else how tireless [sic] Congresswoman Giffords has been in advocating for Southern Arizona in the House of Representatives," McNulty was quoted as saying. "These Arizonans come from all walks of life, they care about the future and they want the kind of change and common sense solutions that Congresswoman Giffords is fighting for."

District 8 Democrat Gabby Giffords has been serving in the U.S. Congress for little more than a year, but she is already looking at a tough battle for re-election.

“Republicans will make it as tough as possible for her,” says Giffords campaign chair Michael McNulty.

Republicans have chosen a candidate to face off against Giffords: State Senate president Tim Bee.

The Arizona Capitol Times is reporting on a Summit Group Poll conducted for State Sen. Tim Bee that shows Bee trailing incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords 36% - 30%. A generic ballot test, meanwhile, shows a Republican defeating a Democrat 34% to 30%.  read more »