Giffords injury leads to void in Senate race

AP reports

WASHINGTON (AP) — The shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in January has left Arizona Democrats without a candidate for next year's Senate race even though party officials in Washington have declared the state a tremendous opportunity to pick up a seat.

Giffords would be the unquestionable favorite to represent the Democrats if she were able to run. As she undergoes therapy to recover from the January shooting, an alternative candidate has yet to emerge — in part, because of the uncertainty surrounding her political future.

Some Democrats said that the lack of an alternative at this stage is a worrisome sign that Democrats won't field a strong challenger against the GOP nominee, most likely to be Republican Rep. Jeff Flake. Incumbent Republican Sen. Jon Kyl is retiring after three terms.