Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who miraculously survived a point-blank gunshot to the head last year, said she will step down this week to concentrate on her recovery.
The surprise announcement yesterday sets off a series of elections to determine who will succeed her beyond 2012.
Although Giffords is a third-term Democrat, her seat could very easily be snatched up by the GOP — her Republican opponent lost by little more than 1 percentage point in the 2010 election.
Giffords spoke slowly but clearly in a videotaped message released yesterday, thanking supporters and telling them she’s making steady progress.
“I have more work to do on my recovery, so to do what is best for Arizona, I will step down this week,” said Giffords, who is set to attend President Obama’s State of the Union Address tomorrow, before resigning.
“I’m getting better every day. My spirit is high. I will return, and we will work together for Arizona and this great country,” she said.
The 41-year-old lawmaker was nearly killed on Jan. 8, 2011, when would-be assassin Jared Lee Loughner sprayed a Tucson supermarket parking lot with bullets. The attack left six people dead and 13 wounded, including Giffords.
“I don’t remember much from that horrible day, but I will never forget the trust you placed in me to be your voice,’’ Giffords said.
Once Giffords leaves office, Republican Gov. Jan Brewer will — within 72 hours — call for a special primary and general election, officials said.
The primary must take place within 80 to 90 days. After that, the special election will be held in another 50 to 60 days.
If Giffords’ successor takes office by July, then he or she would have to win two more elections — the regularly scheduled August primary and November general election — to hold the seat beyond 2012.
After winning her 2006 and 2008 runs by 12 percentage points each time, Giffords squeaked by Republican Jesse Kelly by just 1.4 points in 2010.