Now that Gabrielle Giffords announced her plans to resign from Congress, politicians and party officials--Democratic and Republican--in Arizona are remaining quiet about the process to replace her in office. But what is expected to be a fiercely competitive and crowded special election is beginning to take shape.

When Giffords officially submits her resignation--which is expected sometime after she attends the president's State of the Union address on Tuesday night-- Jan Brewer, Arizona's Republican governor, will be tasked with announcing dates for a special election, including primaries, which will be held 80 to 90 days after the resignation. Candidates will have 30 days to file paperwork to run in the special election.

To make matters more complicated, the candidates will run in Giffords's 8th District for the special election, and then run for re-election in November in a new, renumbered and redrawn 2nd District.

Republicans say the contest could be especially feisty among the Democrats. "There are some sharp elbows on that side," Randy Pullen, the former chairman of the Arizona Republican Party, told Yahoo News.

A number of experienced Democrats have been floated as candidates, including Paula Aboud, a state senator, Steve Farley and Matt Heinz, who are both state representatives.

On the Republican side, Frank Antenori, a state senator, and Dave Sitton, a rugby broadcaster and coach, had previously set up exploratory committees. And there's also been talk that Giffords' 2010 challenger Jesse Kelly may wage a second attempt at the seat.

Antenori announced Sunday that he won't be addressing his plans until after the congresswoman has formally resigned. His campaign manager, Ken Moyes, said the same to Yahoo News on Monday. Many additional candidates have been floated, including members of Giffords's staff.

Pullen says Republicans could also see a "tough competition" on their side of the race.

Giffords, who was shot in the head at a campaign event on Jan. 8, 2011, and has been working to regain her speech and mobility, released a video Sunday confirming her decision to resign from Congress this week.

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The short time frame, the redistricting challenges, and the competitive makeup of the district (under both its boundaries) are expected to encourage each party to consolidate support behind one preferential candidate, preferably one with experience and the ability to raise money.

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