Arizona’s Gabby Giffords set to speak on 3rd night of Democratic convention

PHOENIX – Former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona is scheduled to speak Wednesday at the virtual 2020 Democratic National Convention.

Giffords, who served in the House from 2007 to 2012, has been an outspoken advocate for gun safety the past several years. She was shot in the head at a campaign event in Tucson is 2011 and nearly died.

“If I were in Democratic shoes, I would let Gabby do all the talking,” political analyst Stan Barnes of Copper State Consulting in Phoenix told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

“Anyone who knows her, knows her story, has to salute because she’s such a wonderful person and in her public service made such great sacrifices.”

Giffords endorsed Joe Biden’s campaign in March. Her husband, former astronaut Mark Kelly, is running against Republican incumbent Sen. Martha McSally.

“What Republicans are saying about Democrats is they’ve lost their mind off the left edge of the political spectrum. Tying those same Democrats to riots in Portland and defund the police, you name it,” Barnes said.

“Gabrielle Giffords can be some sort of counterbalance to that narrative.”

Barnes expected Giffords’ address to the nation would be “moderated, reasonable. That’s who she was as a state representative, as a state senator and as a representative of Congress.”

Other speakers on the convention’s third night night, the theme for which is “A More Perfect Union,” include former President Barack Obama, 2016 party presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, Biden running mate Kamala Harris and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Each night of the convention so far has featured appearances from Arizonans, including Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Cindy McCain, widow of Sen. John McCain.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Jeremy Foster contributed to this report.

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