Update: State Sen. Paula Aboud said she intends to stay in the CD2 race. That means Barber will face at least two opponents for the Democratic nomination in the newly created Congressional District that covers southeastern Arizona. The other candidate, Nomiki Konst, has yet to make her intentions known.
So much for Democrat Ron Barber being a place holder.
The former district director for Rep. Gabrielle Giffords said Monday he will run for a full two-year term in the newly drawn Congressional District 2 later this year.
Barber already is running to complete his former boss's term in the Congressional District 8 special election. He is unopposed in next month's Democratic primary. On June 12 he will face one of four Republicans vying for that party's nomination.
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Although Barber, 66, didn't take a position on the permanent seat when he announced on Feb. 9 he would run in the special election, it was widely speculated that he would only to complete Giffords' term and then return to his career behind the scenes.
But he said he's become energized on the campaign trail over the last five weeks, earning the green light from his family and doctor.
"I'm actually having fun," Barber said in a Monday conference call. "Running a campaign is not easy, but I'm enjoying it in large part because of the people who are coming to help us with the campaign."
He would have liked to have made his decision sooner, he said, but needed to see how he felt on the campaign trail. Barber is a survivor of the Jan. 8, 2011, shooting in Tucson, having been shot once in the cheek and once in the upper leg. He suffered nerve damage in his lower left leg, and he still sometimes walks with a cane.
He said his doctor told him on a recent visit, "I've never seen you look so energized," Barber said. "Obviously, the campaign has helped you get even stronger than you were when you got in."
Barber said he called the other Democrats who had already committed to running in CD 2 to inform them of his decision. He did not ask any of them to drop out of the race, he said.
One of them, state Rep. Steve Farley, said he will step aside and help get Barber elected. Farley plans to run for state Senate in District 9, he said. State Rep. Matt Heinz said he plans to stay in the race for CD 2.
The other two - state Sen. Paula Aboud and Nomiki Konst, a former University of Arizona student - have yet to return calls.
The four Republicans running in the special election - Dave Sitton, Martha McSally, Frank Antenori and Jesse Kelly - have all vowed to run again in the CD 2.
The primary for the regular election is Aug. 28. The general election is Nov. 6.
The special election will be in the existing CD 8, in which Republicans have an advantage in registered voters. The regular election will be in the new district of CD 2, where the gap between Democrats and Republicans is minimal.
Barber said he still doesn't consider himself a politician, which he also said when he announced for the special election.
"I see myself as someone who is interested in serving my community," Barber said.
After the shooting, Barber launched the Fund for Civility, Respect and Understanding, which focused on helping the community heal with a focus on civility and mental-health awareness.
Before going to work for Giffords in 2006, Barber worked 32 years at the Arizona Division of Developmental Disabilities. Barber and his wife also ran a small business for 22 years. Barber has lived in Tucson since 1959.
Asked if he would still run if he lost the CD 8 special election, he said he plans to win it and run as an incumbent in CD 2.
On StarNet: Find an interactive map of reported crimes in the city of Tucson, updated every morning with the previous day's data, at azstarnet.com/crimemap
Ron Barber
Party: Democrat
Age: 66
Employer and position: Recently resigned as district director for Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, a position he held since 2007.
Education: Bachelor of arts in political science, University of Arizona.
Political experience: None.
Top priority: Bipartisan problem-solving for Southern Arizona; creating jobs, protecting veterans and military families; protecting Medicare and Social Security.
Contact reporter Brady McCombs at 573-4213 or bmccombs@azstarnet.com
