Barber officially fills Giffords' seat
(CNN) – Ron Barber became Democratic Rep. Barber of Arizona when he was sworn in Tuesday after winning the special election to fill the seat formerly held by Rep. Gabby Giffords.
Barber, a former Giffords aide, beat Republican Jesse Kelly, an Iraq war veteran, in last week's election and was administered the oath of office by House Speaker John Boehner on the House floor.
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"I am very much looking forward to being able to carry the concerns of the people of Southern Arizona directly to the halls of Congress," Barber said in a statement Tuesday. "I deeply appreciate the trust that the voters of Arizona have placed in me and I will never forget that this seat that I will hold beginning today is not my seat, but the people's seat."
Barber was critically injured during last year's mass shooting that killed six and injured 13 others, including Giffords, who received a gunshot wound to the head. She resigned in January, about one year after the shooting.
Giffords won a close election to a third term over Kelly in 2010 and Barber, who received her endorsement, will serve the remaining six months of that term.
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I still say that it ws complete disgrace for Republicans to field an opponent. When you consider the facts of: why the seat was open in the first place, the seat is up for grabs in 5 months, Republicans already hold a strong House majority, and the fact that Boehner has declared that the House is done for the year. All of that adds up to a complete disgrace.
He won because of the sympathy vote for Giffords. He won't hold the seat after the November elections.
BTW, give it up Rudy. If what you are saying is true then Giffords should have just kept the seat and saved the cost of a special election. Wasting money on a special election is what is a disgrace. They did this so Barber would have the advantages of an incumbent in November and the sympathy vote now.
Congrats Barber and hoping you get better Gabby!
The country will be a much better place after the jihadists nukeMYC, thanks to barry.
"BTW, give it up Rudy. If what you are saying is true then Giffords should have just kept the seat and saved the cost of a special election. Wasting money on a special election is what is a disgrace. "
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It is AZ law to hold a special election when a representative resigns, and the seat is opened up.
To call it "wasting money" is disrespectful of the AZ law and Giffords.
@Booskoo
The country will be a much better place after the jihadists nukeMYC, thanks to barry.
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I'm trying to make some sense from your comment. All I can determine is you're off your meds and you were home-schooled.
without ids it was sooo easy to vote for Barber even though i'm not a citizen yet.. thanks Obama! the election plan is working.
The country will be a much better place after the jihadists nukeMYC, thanks to barry.
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This is your brain on red state trailer park meth. Any questions?