Democrat Ron Barber, who lost the closest congressional race in the country last year by 167 votes to freshman Republican U.S. Rep. Martha McSally, will announce whether he’s in for a rematch on Zona Politics with Jim Nintzel, airing this Sunday at 9:30 a.m. on KGUN-9.

Barber was first elected to Congress in June 2012 in a special election to complete the term of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who stepped down to concentrate on her recovery from a gunshot wound to the head. Barber, who was also shot twice in the January 2011 mass shooting, went on to defeat McSally in a close race in November 2012.

McSally defeated Barber in a race so close that it required a state-mandated recount. Barber’s supporters say that in a presidential election year, he could make up the difference and he remains the strongest candidate among Southern Arizona Democrats, particularly when it comes to name ID and the ability to raise the millions of dollars required for a competitive race.

This article appears in Apr 9-15, 2015.

Getting hassled by The Man Mild-mannered reporter

13 replies on “Yet Another Rematch? Ron Barber Will Announce His 2016 Plans on Zona Politics on Sunday Morning”

  3. I don’t think he’d win. I’d vote for him, but realistically, it’s doubtful he could win unless he ran a drastically different campaign from the last one and could give people a reason to turn the incumbent out.

  4. McSally is doing a good job. Barber would have no chance against her. Time to hang them up Ron!!

  5. Another “Clinton” – just rename him Barber! Yeah Id SO Vote Against Him.. McSally deserves a chance to fight for US – not just kiss the Dems behinds.. like Barber did.

  6. I don’t always share the same views with Tucson Weekly, but I do commend its existence supporting our great country in its own views and utilizing our country’s greatest gift. The freedom of speech.
    I commend all those who post regardless of their values and views as well. Everyone here whether they know it or now is trying to make America a better country through each post. I hope when you take our freedoms into consideration bestowed upon us by the efforts and sacrifices of our fore fathers struggles to make every generation from then a better tomorrow to inherit . You might not realize it but it is our duty to do so. Our nation struggles with conflict daily. It is here we strive to rise to the occasion to meet with civility and sincerity to discuss to reach a new plateau for our country’s benifit. If you are reading this. Our country has great citizens. You are one of them.

  7. Barber doesn’t inspire much, and the AZ Dems haven’t seemed interested in bringing up anyone else since he stepped in to fill Gabby’s seat. God knows,however, that I will vote for ANY Democrat over ANY Republican in this state.

  8. I would like a different alternative. I don’t like Barber’s politics and won’t vote for him in the future. But I don’t like McSally’s politics either and won’t vote for her. They are both much too militaristic and conservative for me. If anyone from the local Democratic Party or the local Green Party or any other party is listening — how about offering a real choice for an Independent voter? I’m tired of having to choose between right-wing Republican and Republican-Lite (aka AZ Democratic party). I want our governments at every level to stop putting money into more and more wars and prisons and start putting money into infrastructure, education, and sustainable, renewable energy.

  9. Democrats have grown very lazy in this state with regard to campaigning. They no longer run primaries. Who on their “bench” has experience running a tough campaign? Very few, if any. I’d like to see a McSally/Barber rematch. When she beats him a second time she will have cemented herself into the position with few likely contenders on the horizon.

  10. You’re a pathetic hump, AZPaul. Like his politics or not, Barber served this country. You just seem to hate it.

  12. Some writers condemn any congressional candidate who supports military-connected legislation. Please remember that a major part of the congressional district IS military and also IS largely connected to military employment on the civilian side. It would be stupid to run an anti-military candidate.

  13. Who is Martha McSally again? I still don’t know what she stands for. She doesn’t debate. I have never seen her take any questions that were not scripted.

    Heck, maybe if her handlers let her out of hiding I might end up liking her.

    Should we file a missing persons report?

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