(Newser)
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Former Gabrielle Giffords aide Ron Barber has won the special election for her seat in Congress, AP reports. With 100% of precincts reporting, the Democrat has 52% of the vote to Republican Jesse Kelly's 45%, according to Politico. Giffords resigned a year after she was shot in the head by a gunman who killed six people and seriously injured Barber.
Barber will have to run again in November's general election, but because of redistricting, he will be in a more Democratic-leaning district than the current one, which chose Giffords over Kelly by just two percentage points in 2010, ABC notes. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi issued a statement congratulating Barber. "Gabby left a legacy of strength, resolve, and independence in the House," she said. "We look forward to Ron Barber continuing in that same tradition."
