Ron Barber, former Giffords aide, wins special election

Ron Barber, a former Democratic aide to Gabrielle Giffords who was nearly killed after a shot to the head, which led to her resignation, won the congressional special election to replace the former Arizona congresswoman on Tuesday. With 66 percent of the precincts reporting, Barber beat Republican Jesse Kelly 53 percent to 45 percent.

Giffords survived an assassination attempt in January 2011 and gave up her seat in Congress earlier this year to focus on her recovery. Barber was supported by Giffords and she campaigned on his behalf. The congressional special election was the last before November’s general election, leaving both sides to mine the results for evidence about effective strategies in November and who may have momentum on their side.