Giffords Aide to Run to Replace Congresswoman

One of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords's former aides, who suffered his own injuries in the same Tucson shooting that severely wounded the congresswoman, announced Thursday that he will run in the interim election to finish out the last six months of his old boss's term.

Ron Barber, 66, served as Giffords's congressional district director from 2007 until she resigned in late January to focus on her recovery. Giffords and her husband, former astronaut Mark Kelly, have already endorsed Barber's interim bid.

"Ron has spent his career fighting for those in need," Kelly wrote in an email to supporters on Thursday. "Gabby and I are honored to stand with Ron as he launches his campaign."

Barber said that he doesn't yet know whether he will run for a full term in November, or just for the special election in June to complete the current term. "I’m not a politician, never run for office before, so I’m taking this one step at a time," Barber told reporters on a conference call announcing his campaign, according to the Associated Press.

State Rep. Matt Heinz, a fellow Democrat, had already announced his bid for the now vacant seat in Arizona's 8th District, but he has suggested that he would step aside in the special election if Barber jumped in the race, and instead only run for a full term in the following election. Three Republicans have also announced their campaigns for the special election.

Barber and Giffords were among 13 people wounded in the Jan. 8, 2011 attack outside a Tucson supermarket which left six others dead. Barber suffered wounds to his face and legs during the shooting.

The special election primary is set for April 17; the general election is slated for June 12.