Wounded ex-Giffords aide defeats Republican in Arizona race

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The Associated Press on Saturday declared Democrat Ron Barber victorious in the race for Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District.

“With this campaign now over, I am eager to continue to solve problems for the people of Southern Arizona and stand up for middle class families. Congress has important decisions to make, and we must seek compromise in order to get things done,” he said in a statement.

Barber defeated his Republican challenger Martha McSally by about 1400 votes. The tight race dragged on after Election Day as ballots were counted.

“Today I called Congressman Barber to congratulate him on his victory,” McSally said on Saturday. “It was a hard fought campaign and I’m proud of the race we ran with integrity, honor, authenticity, and grace.”

The aide of former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) was wounded along with the congresswoman during a deadly shooting in 2011. Barber spent nearly a year in physical therapy after being shot in the thigh and cheek.

Barber won a special election earlier this year to replace Giffords in Congress after she stepped down in January to focus on her recovery.

With Barber’s victory, Democrats now hold a majority in the state’s congressional delegation. Five of the state’s nine House seats are filled by Democrats.