''I probably won't run if she runs, but I've got a feeling she's not running,'' Antenori explained to the Arizona Republic. ''I want them to make a decision here. I cannot allow the Democratic Party to create the perception that she is running as an effort to keep Republicans out of the race and inhibit us from raising money.''
Antenori, who has formed an exploratory committee for his possible campaign in 2012, has said that he will make his final decision on whether to run within the first two months of 2012. And he has obviously believes that Giffords should do the same. However, his ultimate decision does not rest solely on Gifford's shoulders. He is also waiting for the state to redraw the boundaries for the congressional district in the hopes that the new boundaries will bring greater Republican support.
Despite the pressure from Antenori, those close to Giffords have said that it is simply too early to make a decision. In January, Giffords was shot in the head in a mass shooting that left six dead and a dozen others wounded.
Giffords' surprise return to Washington for the debt ceiling vote led many to believe that she would be up for re-election in 2012. And if she is, her campaign will be well-funded. In addition to fundraisers held in her name, she has also received generous donations. In fact, the most recent quarterly report filed with the Federal Election Commission shows that her campaign fund is almost $788,000 strong.
With her strong existing support base, Giffords would undoubtedly prove difficult to unseat and Antenori is well aware of that fact. ''Let's be blunt. The sympathy factor for the tragedy she suffered and the strength she's demonstrated has been imprinted on the electorate. You'd have to be an idiot to think otherwise,'' Antenori said in an interview with the Arizona Daily Star.
