The special election to replace former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., will be a difficult one for Republicans to win because of sympathy for her and her chosen successor Democrat Ron Barber.
Barber, Giffords’ former district staff director, was shot in the same incident outside a Tucson grocery store where Giffords was shot while conducting a meet and greet with the public. Giffords suffered from severe head trauma and resigned to focus on her rehabilitation.
Giffords has been using sudden public appearances – appearing alongside Barber – to appeal to Arizona voters to vote for Barber in his race against Republican Jesse Kelly, 30.
She most recently attended a get-out-the-vote rally on Saturday alongside Barber.
Moreover, Giffords has also enlisted the help of her husband to gain media attention for Barber at the weekend campaign event.
“Giffords attended a concert Saturday night and listened as her husband, astronaut Mark Kelly, spoke on her behalf in praising Barber,” reported The Christian Science Monitor.
The Republican candidate Kelly has charged that Barber is out of touch with people in the district.
However, Giffords’ unending support and campaigning for Barber could turn the sympathetic public into voting for Barber, despite dominance of Republican-registered voters.
Many my view a vote against Barber as being a vote against Giffords, and even some Arizona Republicans may hesitate voting against the injured former representative.
