In every other year, voting in this Best of Tucson® category has been close. This year, Gabrielle Giffords won overwhelmingly. Even if we weren't still grieving the events of Jan. 8, Gabby Giffords would be a deserving of this honor. As a moderate "blue dog" Democrat, she's made it clear that her legacy would never be about ideology and political rhetoric, but rather about working with people on both sides of the aisle—and actually getting things done. Gabby's greatest strength is her love for Tucson, which has always been reflected in the savvy and caring actions of her local staff. To their credit, and our collective benefit, they have been more focused than ever on serving her district while she's been recovering. Like all good foot soldiers, they take their lead and inspiration from the top. The simple truth is, she does continue to inspire.
Runners up:
