A 2012 special election in Arizona's 8th congressional district was held on June 12, with primary elections held on April 17, to fill a seat in the United States House of Representatives for Arizona's 8th congressional district until the 112th United States Congress ends on January 3, 2013. The election was caused by the resignation of Representative Gabrielle Giffords on January 25, 2012, to concentrate on recovering from her injuries from the 2011 Tucson shooting. The seat was won by Ron Barber, a former aide to Giffords who was wounded in the attempt on her life.
Governor of Arizona Jan Brewer announced April 17 to be the date for the special primary elections and June 12 for the special general election.
Ron Barber, Giffords' District Director
Matt Heinz, State Representative
Paula Aboud, Arizona Senate Whip.
John Adams, retired Brigadier General
David Crowe, software company owner
Steve Farley, Arizona House of Representatives
Jeff Latas, former vice chair of the Arizona Democratic Party and 2006 primary candidate
Linda J. Lopez, state senator
Janet Napolitano, former Governor of Arizona and United States Secretary of Homeland Security
Daniel Patterson, state representative
Tim Sultan, program chair of the Democrats of Greater Tucson and 2004 primary candidate
Ramon Valadez, Pima County, Arizona Supervisor
Nan Stockholm Walden, Farmer Investments VP and former Chief of Staff to Senator Bill Bradley
Bruce Wheeler, state representative
Frank Antenori, state senator and Iraq War veteran
Jesse Kelly, Iraq War veteran and 2010 Republican nominee
Martha McSally, U.S. Air Force colonel, first female USAF air combat pilot
Dave Sitton, businessman, broadcaster, and coach
Jonathan Paton, state senator and 2010 primary candidate
The following candidates were on the ballot:
Ron Barber, (Democrat), small business owner and Giffords' District Director
Jesse Kelly (Republican), Iraq War veteran and 2010 Republican nominee