TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- A Tucson newspaper is reporting Arizona Senate President Tim Bee has decided to run for Congress.

The Arizona Daily Star reports Bee will formally announce his plans Saturday at Palo Verde High School, where he was valedictorian of his senior class.

Bee is set to become the Republican challenger against Democratic U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in Congressional District 8.

Giffords won the seat formerly held by Republican Jim Kolbe in 2006.

Bee formed an exploratory committee in August. A campaign spokeswoman says Bee has raised more than $300,000.

Giffords had raised nearly 1.2 million dollars by the end of September.

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Information from: Arizona Daily Star, http://www.azstarnet.com

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