Rothenberg: CD8 race will be a challenge for both candidates

Noted political oracle Stuart Rothenberg has seen the future in Congressional District 8, and it is... murky.

On his Rothenberg Political Report blog, the famed pundit sees both good and bad for first-term incumbent Gabrielle Giffords and State Senate President Tim Bee (R-Tucson). While he dubbed Bee's candidacy "a slice of sunshine in an otherwise gloomy election cycle for national Republicans," the Report also noted that "even though he’s the best candidate Republicans could have asked for in this southeastern Arizona district, he will also face the toughest general election fight of his political career."

However, the Report also said that Giffords likely faces a "tougher fight" than she did two years ago when she defeated Randy Graf for the seat being vacated by Republican Jim Kolbe.

At the moment, the Cook Partisan Voting Index puts the district at R+1 - making it the tightest district in Arizona by the index's reckoning.

Meanwhile, Bee will be appearing with Sen. John Kyl on Thur., March 27, looking to put some last-minute cash in the coffers before the 1st quarter fundraising books close on March 31. Tickets are minimum $500 - contact the Tim Bee campaign for details.

And Rep. Giffords today released the list of appropriations she is seeking for the district, which includes $1.38 million for solar energy projects. The total amount is nearly $120 million.