Former Giffords aide to run for full term in Congress

Ron Barber, who served as district director for former Representative Gabrielle Giffords, says he plans to run for a full term representing Arizona ’s second congressional district.

Barber was wounded in the January 2011 attempt on the Congresswoman’s life. Earlier this year, Giffords announced she would retire to focus on her health. That triggered a special election to find an interim replacement for Giffords’ term in the current eighth district.

Barber is already running in that election, which will be held in June. He announced Monday that he will also run for a full term representing Arizona ’s redrawn second congressional district. Barber faces several other Democrats in the August primary, including state Senator Paula Aboud and state Representative Matt Heinz.

Updated 3-19-2012 11:05 p.m.: The first version of this story stated that State Representative Steve Farley was also in the race. Farley has since announced that he's dropping out.