Posted on 06/13/2012 4:31:17 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
TUCSON, AZ (CBS5/AP) - It's a race for Congress that the entire nation has been watching, and we now know who will fill Gabrielle Gifford's House seat.
Ron Barber, who worked as Giffords' aid and was injured in the Tucson shooting, is the winner of the District 8 race. He has about 52 percent of the votes; 86 percent of precincts have turned in their results.
This race determines who will be representing Tucson for the next six months in Washington, DC. Right now, Barber has more than a 7 percent lead over Jesse Kelly, who ran against Giffords in 2010 and narrowly lost. This race isn't only significant because he will be replacing Gabby Giffords, but political analysts have been saying it sets a stage for what may happen nationally in November.
Now that Barber comes out on top, the GOP will not be able to use Tucson as an example for voters wanting a change from the status quo. While we're told Kelly had a slight advantage because this is a special election, with typically a lower voter turnout, Barber still came out ahead.
He could have Giffords to thank, in part. Barber ran with Giffords' blessing and she has been campaigning on his behalf. Our cameras got video of her casting her ballot Tuesday in Tucson, and she and husband Mark Kelly joined Barber on stage after his victory had been called.
Barber and Giffords were both injured in the Tucson mass shooting in January of last year, when 23-year-old Jared Loughner allegedly opened fire at one of Giffords' events at a Tucson grocery store.
(Excerpt) Read more at kpho.com ...
Sympathy vote...
I guess we can now all await Obama’s boastful blathering.
You think so? How would you explain Giffords election? Seems to me, a majority of the voters of that district have just created a pattern of electing Democrats to office. I think the proper answer is ...liberal vote.
yeah....the whole brain dead, Caroline McCarthy, elected by morons scenerio.
WRONG!!!
It was JUST a sympathy vote.
"Now that Barber comes out on top, the GOP will not be able to use Tucson as an example for voters wanting a change from the status quo.
Again WRONG!!!
It was JUST a SYMPATHY VOTE!
You have to love the way they tell you that it was NOT but yet it IS!
My take, too. Let's hope Martha McSally, a retired USAF colonel with combat experience announces shortly for the fall election. She finished second to Jesse Kelly in the primary this spring, and was closing fast at the end. She'll give Barber a tough run in the fall, and could well reclaim the seat for the GOP.
Question: Was the election just to fill the UNEXPIRED term? In other words, will there be another election for this seat in November when Giffords’ seat was due to expire anyway?
He’s filling the seat until November. Then there is another election.
Also, I read that this district has had some redistricting that gave a greater advantage to the Dems since Jesse Kelly came so close to Giffords the last time.
yes.
BS. A dim replacing a dim in a dim district. . . I heard a report that started with the words "Score a big one for the democrats". That would be like a dim replacing Queen Sheila in Houston.
I agree. Sympathy played a role in this since Guiffords and Barber survived the gun attack. The MSM saying that this is a precedent for November?? They are trying their hardest to forget what happened in Wisconsin last week which is more of a measure if you ask me.
“Sympathy vote...”
... plus the dumber-than-dirt vote.
Waiving the bloody shirt.
“You think so? How would you explain Giffords election? Seems to me, a majority of the voters of that district have just created a pattern of electing Democrats to office. I think the proper answer is ...liberal vote. “
AZ suffered re-districting so the voters that originally elected her may be in other dists. But, that area is mostly lib. Add to that the “I feel soooooo sorry for her, I will vote for any dem because I believe the guy who shot her was prompted by republicans.”
“The ‘Independent’ Redistricting Committee really screwed Republicans in Arizona.”
For sure!!!!!!!!!!!!
Indeed. It seems heavily influenced by UA academic knotheads, Californians smart enough to get out of California but not smart enough to leave their politics behind and a big hispanic population with a strong aztlan streak.
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