Giffords’ aide to run in special election

PHOENIX — A top aide to former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords who was shot in the leg and face in the Tucson rampage that also left the congresswoman severely wounded announced Thursday that he will seek to replace her in a special election.

Democrat Ron Barber declared he would run to serve the last six months of Giffords’ term. He said Giffords and her husband, retired astronaut Mark Kelly, asked him to run.

Barber was Giffords’ district director and worked with her since 2006. The election to fill Giffords’ 8th Congressional District seat in Arizona is set for the spring.

He said he has not decided whether to run for a full term in the November election.