Gabrielle Giffords
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Gabrielle Giffords (b. June 8, 1970) was a Democratic member of the U.S. House representing Arizona's 8th Congressional District. Giffords was first elected to the House in 2006.
Giffords announced on January 23, 2012 that she would not seek re-election in 2012.[1] She officially resigned from the U.S. House on January 25, 2012.[2]
2011 Tucson shooting
On January 8, 2011, a gunman opened fire in an Arizona parking lot where Rep. Giffords was meeting with constituents. Giffords was shot. She underwent surgery and survived.
The six people who died after the shooting include federal judge John Roll. More than a dozen people were wounded.[3]
Career
Below is an abbreviated outline of Giffords' academic, professional, and political career:[4]
- 1993: Graduated from Scripps College with B.A.
- 1996: Graduated from Cornell University with M.R.P.
- 2001-2003: Arizona House of Representatives
- 2003-2005: Arizona State Senate
- 2007-2012: U.S. Representative from Arizona
Committee assignments
U.S. House
2011-2012
During the 112th Congress, Giffords served on the following committees:
- Armed Services Committee
- Subcommittee on Readiness
- Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces
- Science, Space, and Technology Committee
- Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, Ranking Member
- Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation
Issues
Specific votes
Rep. Giffords voted for TARP.[5] According to a Gallup poll from September 13, 2010, 61 percent of Americans disapproved of TARP, while 37 percent approved.[6]
Giffords also voted for the stimulus bill.[7] Fifty-seven percent of U.S. voters believed that the stimulus had either hurt the economy (36 percent) or had no impact (21 percent). Thirty-eight percent believed the stimulus helped the economy.[8]
In addition, Giffords supported the "Cap and Trade" bill.[9] Just after the bill’s passage, 42 percent of likely U.S. voters said that cap and trade would hurt the economy, while 19 percent believed that it would help. Another 15 percent said that the bill would have no impact.[10]
Finally, Giffords voted for the health care reform bill.[11] Fifty-seven percent of likely voters at least somewhat favored repeal of the health care reform bill, including 46 percent who strongly favored repeal. Thirty-five percent of likely voters opposed repeal. Fifty-one percent of likely voters believed the health care reform bill would be bad for the country, while 36 percent believed it would be beneficial.[12]
Endorsements
Giffords and her husband, former astronaut Mark Kelly, took part in a fundraiser for Bruce Braley (D) in Des Moines,Iowa on October 27, 2013.[13]
Presidential preference
2016 presidential endorsement
✓ Giffords endorsed Hillary Clinton for the Democratic primary in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.[14]
- See also: Endorsements for Hillary Clinton
Elections
2012
Giffords did not seek re-election in 2012. She resigned prior to the end of her term.[1]
2010
On November 2, 2010, Giffords won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Jesse Kelly and Steven Stoltz in the general election.[15]
| U.S. House, Arizona District 8 General Election, 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Gabrielle Giffords Incumbent |
48.8% | 138,280 | |
| Republican | Jesse Kelly | 47.3% | 134,124 | |
| Libertarian | Steven Stoltz | 3.9% | 11,174 | |
| Total Votes | 283,578 | |||
Campaign finance summary
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Analysis
Political positions
Voting with party
The website OpenCongress tracks how often members of Congress vote with the majority of the chamber caucus. According to the website, Giffords votes with the Democratic Party 94.1% of the time. This ranks 35th among the 192 Senate Democrats in 2011.[16]
National Journal vote ratings
- See also: National Journal vote ratings
2012
Each year National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of Congress voted in the previous year. Giffords' vote ratings are not available for 2012.[17]
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Giffords has a husband, Mark Kelly.
External links
- Biographies:
- Political profiles:
- Financial (federal level):
- Interest group ratings:
- Issue positions:
- Public statements:
- Voting record:
- Works by or about:
- Media appearances:
- Media coverage:
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Washington Post, "Giffords’ resignation from Congress opens up race, triggers messy elections amid redistricting," January 22, 2012
- ↑ Washington Post, "Gabrielle Giffords resigns from the House in emotional farewell," January 26, 2012
- ↑ "US Lawmaker Remains in Critical Condition After Shooting," Hawaii Reporter, January 10, 2011
- ↑ Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, "Gabrielle Giffords," accessed October 30, 2011
- ↑ U.S. House Clerk, "Roll Call 681," October 3, 2008
- ↑ Gallup, "Among Recent Bills, Financial Reform a Lone Plus for Congress," September 13, 2010
- ↑ US House Clerk, "Roll Call 46," January 28, 2009
- ↑ Rasmussen, "38% Say Stimulus Plan Helped Economy, 36% Say It Hurt," August 24, 2010
- ↑ US House Clerk, "Roll Call 477," June 26, 2009
- ↑ Rasmussen, "42% Say Climate Change Bill Will Hurt The Economy," June 30, 2009
- ↑ US House Clerk, "Roll Call 165," March 21, 2010
- ↑ Rasmussen, "61% Favor Repeal of Healthcare Law," September 20, 2010
- ↑ Huffington Post, "Gabrielle Giffords To Campaign For Bruce Braley," accessed September 16, 2013
- ↑ CNN, "Gabby Giffords and Mark Kelly endorse Hillary Clinton," January 10, 2016
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ OpenCongress, "Voting With Party," October 30, 2011
- ↑ National Journal, "2012 Congressional Vote Ratings," February 21, 2013
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Jim Kolbe |
U.S. House - Arizona District 8 2007-January 25, 2012 |
Succeeded by Ron Barber |
