Tom Cole

U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Tucson) announced the formation of the group Veterans for Giffords Wednesday to bolster her support among that key demographic in the 8th Congressional District. Gen. John A. Wickham (ret.), who served as Army Chief of Staff to Pres. Reagan, will co-chair the organization.

The Giffords campaign estimates that around 90,000 veterans reside in the 8th district, the most of any of Arizona's congressional districts. Veterans' issues have topped the Democratic congressional agenda during this session, and Giffords is trying to capitalize on their successes.

"The reasons for re-electing Giffords... can be found in her solid record of accomplishment," said the release announcing the inception of Veterans for Giffords. It went on to list key bills, including the Wounded Warriors Act and the updated G.I. Bill, introduced by Giffords's fellow Democratic freshman, U.S. Rep. Harry Mitchell (D-Tempe).

State Sen. Pres. Tim Bee (R-Tucson) will team up with U.S. Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.) Tuesday to address veterans' issues at a Veterans of Foreign Wars hall in Tucson.

Cole, Chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, is in town to assist Bee in his drive to win the 8th Congressional District seat, which is currently held by U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Tucson).

In addition to veteran-related matters, Bee and Cole will also address national security topics, according to an announcement put out by the Bee campaign.

Susan Bitter Smith, one of the Republican primary candidates in the 5th Congressional District jockeying for the chance to take on U.S. Rep. Harry Mitchell (D-Tempe) in the general election, held a "virtual" fundraiser Wednesday for donors in Washington, D.C. and across the country.

The event may have been virtual, but the money is real. Bitter Smith told PolitickerAZ.com that the conference call brought her campaign $10,000.

"It ended up being actually quite an interesting event," said Bitter Smith. "The only thing they didn't get was obviously the soda and cheese and crackers."