Giffords shooting clouds Senate race

WASHINGTON -- The shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in January has left Democrats in Arizona without a candidate for next year's U.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 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.

"All of our hopes and faith were geared towards her," said Andrei Cherny, chairman of the state Democratic Party.

Some Democrats said 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 Rep. Jeff Flake. Incumbent Republican Jon Kyl is retiring after three Senate terms.

"We're stumbling around with names nobody knows," said Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.). "We're left with second tiers, and that's too bad, because I don't think Flake should have a free ride and he's beatable."

Privately, some Democrats are pessimistic that her recovery will progress to the point she will run for the Senate. They view a run for her congressional seat as a more likely alternative. -- AP