Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords has already issued a statement responding to the challenge of state Sen. Jonathan Paton, even though Paton hasn't announced he's in the race yet:

I have known Jonathan since middle school and have been friends with him for years.

As a third generation Tucsonan and former businesswoman, I work hard to represent the independent minded men and women of Southern Arizona. I look forward to discussing our nation's most important issues with whomever the Republican nominee is.

I remain focused on the job that my constituents hired me to do. My priorities are Arizona’s priorities - securing our border, rebuilding the economy , supporting our military and veterans and ensuring access to affordable health care.

This isn't the first time Giffords and Paton has tangled with one another. In 2000, they both ran for the Arizona House of Representatives in a midtown Tucson district that was then evenly split between Democrats and Republicans. Giffords won a seat; Paton lost, but would later win a House seat in Legislative District 30.

Illustrations by Rand Carlson.