People's Choice Award

Though ex-Rep. Gabrielle Giffords's (D) CD was renumbered AZ-02 in redistricting, the special election will take place in the current CD, the old AZ-08. "The Democratic field of candidates to replace" Giffords "has been shrinking and could shrink again." Non-profit founder Nomiki Konst (D) "has stayed silent on whether she would compete" with ex-Giffords aide Ron Barber (D), who announced he will seek the CD2 seat in the November general election. "But this week, [Konst] is traveling" to the district "on a 'listening tour' to gauge support for staying in the race." Konst "said she is ready to launch her campaign but she plans to 'make sure this is what the community wants.'" Konst: "If I'm going to invest in this race, and my supporters are going to invest in this race, I want to know it's fightable. If I'm not the right candidate, I'll step aside." Konst "said she received encouragement" April 3 "in meetings with seniors, an entreprenuership school and a group of young lawyers." She "said she represents a new generation of political leaders and offers voters an alternative to the Democratic 'establishment.'" Konst: "It's time for new leadership" (Sanders, Arizona Republic, 4/3).