The AZ Secretary of State has just released the latest election returns from today’s special election for CD 8 U.S. House, to replace injured Democratic Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords who resigned on January 25, 2012. Elections returns are from four counties: Cochise, Pinal, Pima, and Santa Cruz.

Ron Barber has won this race with 50.18% of the 414,494 registered voters being reported so far. Jesse Kelly reportedly conceded about 9:30 p.m.

For updates on the SOS website go to http://results.enr.clarityelections.com/AZ/37946/85735/en/summary.html. Website says that 100 % of the precincts have reported, but that does not likely include the provisional ballots cast on election day.

Ron Barber

Jesse Kelly

Democrat Ron Barber, Giffords’ District Director of her Tucson office (5 years) ran for this seat with Giffords’ endorsement, against Republican Jesse Kelly who lost to Giffords for this seat in Nov. 2010, by 4156 votes.

Kelly won the Republican special primary for this race on April 17, 2012 over 3 others — LD 30 State Senator Frank Antenori (who had previously run unsuccessfully for this seat in 2006), and political newcomers Martha McSally and Dave Sitton. Green Party candidate Charlie Manolakis also ran.

Results:

Ron Barber (D) 108,260 52.08%
Jesse Kelly (R) 94,209 45.32%
Charlie Manolakis (G) 4751 2,29%

The winner of today’s special election will be sworn in to the U.S. Congress shortly and will serve the unexpired term through early January, 2013. CD 8 will no longer exist in the next Congress, with newly reapportioned CD 2 replacing most of it. The primary for new CD 2 is on August 28 and these are the candidates officially seeking that position to date (subject to change after today’s results):

Democrats:
Ron Barber, newly elected Congressman in special CD 8 House race
Dr. Matt Heinz, LD 28 State House Rep. (2 terms)

Republicans:
Jesse Kelly, has ran twice for CD 8 House, & lost in Nov. 2010 and June 2012; withdrawn from this race on 6/14/12
Mark Koskiniemi, a political newcomer
Martha McSally, lost to Kelly in the April 17, 2012 special primary for CD 8 (came in 2nd in the four way race)

Congratulations to Ron Barber for his victory tonight.

Stay tuned for final unofficial results once all precincts have reported, including provisional ballots.

Temperatures are now getting up into the 100′s and people are questioning if it’s too hot to party?

Not so, so check out the usual fun happenings on June 9, at 2nd Saturday Downtown’s urban street festival. Click here for full event schedule.

And this Saturday, there’s going to be free admission to a Pink Floyd Tribute by “Atom Heart Mother” at 7 p.m. at the Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress.

That sounds awesome for you Pink Floyd fans.

More upcomng events (concerts & classic movies) at the Fox, click here.

And for you former CD 8 Congresswoman “Gabby” Giffords fans & friends, she’s supposed to make an appearance over at the Rialto Theater, 318 E.Congress (near the 4th Avenue Underpass):

FREE “GET OUT THE VOTE CONCERT AND RALLY FOR RON BARBER” with Sergio Mendoza Y La Orkesta, Joey Burns & Jacob Valenzuela of Calexico, Salvador Duran, and Kevin Pakulis Band featuring Amy Langley. All ages – free. Doors open at 5 p.m., concert goes to 8 p.m.

Democrat Ron Barber is running to replace Giffords in CD 8 U.S.House, against Republican Jesse Kelly and Green Charlie Manolakis. The special general election is next week on June 12.

Enjoy a hot 2nd Saturdays Downtown on June 9!

A live debate between the 3 candidates running for the vacant CD 8 Congressional seat will beheld on May 23 at 7 p.m. at the Tucson Jewish Community Center, 3800 E. River Rd. (north of Dodge Blvd.) The organizers are asking the public not to arrive before 6 p.m. due to parking issues. Complimentary tickets for admission will be issued starting at 6 p.m. for the 500 people allowed inside the ballroom. Injured Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords resigned from this seat in January of this year.

All 3 candidates Ron Barber (D), Jesse Kelly (R) and Charlie Manolakis (G) will be participating. The MC for the evening will be radio talk show host Bill Buckmaster of the Buckmaster Show (high noon on weekdays on KVOI AM 1030) . Bill was a TV talk show host on “Arizona Illustrated” on KUAT Channel 6 for 23 years.

This debate is sponsored by the Arizona Daily Star and the Tucson Jewish Community Center, and will also be broadcast live on KVOI AM 1030 Tucson and KAPR AM 930 Douglas.

Click here for my previous blog about the CD 8 debates (with photos and campaign websites).

If you don’t want to attend the debate, with want to listen to it with other “liberals”, Drinking Liberally is hosting their weekly meeting with a radio to listen on KVOI. They meet at The Shanty at 6 p.m., 401 E. 9th St. (NE corner of 4th Avenue).

The latest voter registration as of 3/1/12 for CD 8 (parts of Cocise, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz Counties) from the AZ Sec. of State’s website:

Democrats: 133,571
Greens: 852
Libertarians: 2646
Republicans: 159,200
Americans: 27
Others: 128,242

Ron Barber has been endorsed by the Tucson Weekly (click here), and The Arizona Republic (click here). Early voting for this special general election started on May 17, 2012.

The person elected on the upcoming June 12 special general election will only serve out the remainder of Giffords’ term till January, 2013.