Republican Steps Toward Run for Giffords' Seat

With the formation of an exploratory committee, Republican state senator Frank Antenori is the first in his party to officially consider seeking Gabrielle Giffords’ House seat, the Arizona Republic reports. The senator from Tucson, who lost a primary in 2006 for what became Giffords' seat, says his move is intended in part to force the Giffords camp into making a decision.

“I probably won't run if she runs, but I've got a feeling she's not running,” Antenori says. "I cannot allow the Democratic Party to create the perception that she is running as an effort to keep Republicans out of the race and inhibit us from raising money." He concedes that if Giffords does run, she will likely be "unbeatable," notes AP. (More Gabrielle Giffords stories.)