The Arizona Secretary of State has posted the final & unofficial results of the 2012 General Election for CD 2, here in Southern Arizona (although ballots are still being counted statewide). Pima County Elections finalized their ballot count today Nov. 19. Congressman Ron Barber (incumbent in CD 8) has won by 2454 votes. Automatic recounts only occur if the margin of victory is less than 200 votes per state law. Barber declared victory on Nov. 17 and McSally conceded on that day as well.

Ron Barber (D) 147,338, 50.32%
Martha McSally (R) 144,884, 49.48 %

This was a very close race, with early and provisional ballots in the thousands being counted in Pima and Cochise Counties since Election Night November 6. The lead changed many times, but Barber ultimately began to take the lead on Saturday November 10. McSally was leading on the morning of November 7 by 1312 votes when I first reported the Arizona general election results.

Barber was first elected to Congress in CD 8 in June, 2012 by defeating Republican Jesse Kelly in a special election. Then Barber won the CD 2 primary in August, 2012 against LD 29 Rep. Dr. Matt Heinz. Barber was chosen by his former employer, former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords to run in CD 8 after she resigned in January, 2012, to spend more time in her physical recovery from the 1/8/11 Tucson Tragedy shooting. Giffords and her retired astronaut husband Mark Kelly have since moved back to Tucson, from Houston, Texas.

Congratulations Congressman Barber.

Congressman Ron Barber

AZPM “Az Illustrated” political reporters Christopher Conover and Andrea Kelley hosted a debate tonight between CD 8 Congressman Ron Barber and LD 29 House Rep. Dr. Matt Heinz, who are running in the Democratic primary for the new CD 2 House seat. You can view the video online by clicking here.

There have been no live debates between these two candidates for the AZ Primary coming up on August 28.

Congressman Barber was elected to his seat in June, 2012 in a special general election, facing off with Republican Jesse Kelly, who had challenged previous CD 8 Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in Nov. 2010. Barber had worked for 5 years as Giffords’ District Director in Tucson, and had been shot twice alongside her on January 8, 2011 at the Tucson Tragedy shooting. Jared Loughner recently plead guilty to the shootings which killed six and wounded 13 others. Campaign website: www.ronbarberforcongress.com.

LD 29 House Rep. Dr. Matt Heinz has served 2 terms in the Arizona House of Representatives, and is a doctor at Tucson Medical Center. He also ran unsuccessfully for LD 28 House in 2006. Campaign website: www.heinzforcongress.com.

Charlie Manolakis, who recently ran for the CD 8 House seat as a Green candidate, has now switched back to a Democrat, and is a write-in candidate for the CD 2 House seat, but was not part of this AZPM debate. He can be contacted at charlesomega@aol.com.

The winner of the Democratic primary will face off in the General election with either retired Colonel Martha McSally, who came in 2nd in the 4-way special CD 8 House Republican primary in April, 2012, or political newcomer Mark Koskiniemi. To view their earlier July 23 debate on AZPM Channel 6, click here.

Vote wisely on or before the Arizona primary on August 28.

Congressman Ron Barber

LD 29 Rep. Dr. Matt Heinz

There is a Republican primary for CD 2 House between retired Col. Martha McSally and political newcomer Mark Koskiniemi. McSally came in 2nd in a 4-way Republican primary for the CD 8 House special election in April, 2012.

Eastside Republican Club

Guest Speakers CD2 Candidates Martha McSally and Mark Koskiniemi

Where: Miller-Golf Links Library-Community Room, 9640 E. Golf Links Rd., Tucson (east of Harrison)

When: Wednesday, August 15, 2012, 6:30 PM

All Are Welcome – The Eastside Republican Events are free

More Info: Parralee Schneider, 749-0312 pmstucson@aol.com or Lori Oien, 749-3472 oienjmo@msn.com.

And if you can’t attend, watch the two candidates when they debated on AZPM Channel 6 (click here for earlier blog article with bios & photos).

The winner of this primary on August 28 will face off with the winner of the Democratic primary (either Congressman Ron Barber of CD 8, or LD 29 House Rep. Dr. Matt Heinz. Charlie Manolakis who ran as a Green in that CD 8 House race this Spring is now a Democratic write-in candidate for this race as well).