Arizona Democrats counting on Gabrielle Giffords’ name to help in House race

PHOENIX — Former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords isn’t running for office in Arizona, but she’s been on TV screens in Tucson frequently trying to keep fellow Democrat and incumbent Ron Barber in office.

Giffords has appeared in several campaign ads in support of her former district director Barber. He’s in a tight battle in the 2nd Congressional District race against Republican Martha McSally.

KTAR political expert Mike O’Neil said it remains to be seen if Giffords, who survived being shot in the head almost four years ago, can help Barber keep his house seat.

“It’s residual affection (for Giffords) but it’s probably a diminishing game. How long can you play that? At what point does Ron Barber have to stand on his own?”

McSally is a retired Air Force pilot who is running for the seat Giffords once held. She narrowly lost to Barber two years ago.

O’Neil said some of the Giffords’ ads focused on gun control, but that voters are more concerned with Ebola and ISIS at the moment.

“A whole lot of issues, by the way, that in 30 days after the election we will be no longer talking about. This is sort of the ‘Seinfeld’ election — the election about nothing.”

Politico called the battle between Barber and McSally one of the five most suspenseful house races. Republicans have outspent Democrats on campaign ads in that district in the past month.

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