ST. PAUL, Minn. - Tim Bee will walk to the GOP nomination in the 8th Congressional District today, but don't expect to see the state Senate president at this week's Republican National Convention.

"We're focusing on the campaign on the ground in Tucson and Pima County," said Bee spokesman Tom Dunn, explaining the candidate's decision not to make the trip to the Twin Cities.

Bee is challenging U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in what is widely seen as one of the nation's most hotly contested House races. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report categorizes the race as "Leans Democrat."

Dunn noted that several Bee surrogates were attending the convention: Deputy Campaign Manager Barbara Bathen, a McCain delegate, and campaign fundraiser Bruce Ash, an Arizona state committeeman.

Emily DeRose, a spokesman for the Democratic National Committee, laughed off Bee's reasoning for not attending the GOP confab.

"That's surprising given that Tim Bee shut down Senate business and spent $100,000 in public tax dollars so he could hang out with George Bush earlier this year," said DeRose, referring to Bush's July fundraising event for the Republican.

Giffords, a Tucson Democrat, is running for her second term in the House.