State Republican Senator Frank Antenori is the first person to officially announce his candidacy for the Congressional seat vacated by Representative Gabby Giffords. 

Giffords resigned earlier this week to focus on her recovery from an assassination attempt last year.

Antenori already had an exploratory committee to run for Giffords seat but now has formally declared for the congressional seat.

 He said he will run in the special primary election in April, then the special general election will be in June. That election will determine who completes Giffords current term for Congressional District 8.

As a result of population changes following last year’s census, District 8 has been re-drawn and will be know as Congressional District 2. Both districts cover southern Arizona.

Whoever wins the special general election will have to turn around and begin campaigning for the redrawn district.  Primary and general elections for the new district will take place in August and November.

Antenori says he plans to campaign for both seats. He is currently serving his second term as state senator.