GIFFORDS ASSOCIATES REPORTEDLY URGING ANOTHER DEM TO RUN FOR SENATE

posted by Andrea Kelly

Reports are circulating that U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' associates are urging former Surgeon General Dr. Richard Carmona to run for the open U.S. Senate seat in Arizona.

The report apparently originated in a Politico story, and was picked up by the Associated Press.

It's getting attention because Giffords was rumored to be interested in the open Senate seat before she was shot at a Jan. 8 congressional event. She is recovering in outpatient therapy near Houston.

Giffords' congressional office spokesman Mark Kimble said no one in the congressional office is involved in campaign matters, and the news did not come from the congressional office. Rodd McLeod, a campaign consultant, is named in the Politico story, and said he talks to Carmona but wouldn't elaborate on their conversations or confirm the Politico story.

Carmona has not responded attempts to contact him.