Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’ return to the House for the debt ceiling vote last night reopened the discussion of whether she might seek the open Senate seat there next year, as Sen. Jon Kyl is retiring.

Rep. Jeff Flake, her likely opponent if she does run, was sure to embrace her on the House floor.

Polls have shown she’d start with a slight lead despite the conservative tilt of the state, a sign that her tragedy — coupled with a centrist legislative record — has left her a popular figure.