Special Arizona race previews broader US election

PHOENIX (AP) — Republicans sought to wrest a Congressional seat in a special election Tuesday to replace a Democratic congresswoman who resigned after being wounded in a mass shooting, a hard-fought preview of the broader November campaign when everything from the White House down will be at stake.

The race in southern Arizona\'s 8th congressional district was the most closely watched of several election battles taking place across the country, partly because of the absorbing story of former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and partly because holding onto the seat was important for Democrats if they want to regain control of the House of Representatives.

Republicans tried to turn the contest into a referendum on President Barack Obama and his handling of the economy. A victory would give further momentum to Republicans already riding high after a decisive victory in Wisconsin\'s gubernatorial recall election last Tuesday, followed by figures showing that their presidential nominee, Mitt Romney, surpassed Obama in campaign fundraising for the first time in May.

Obama and his fellow Democrats, meanwhile, are struggling to recover from a streak of bad luck, including dismal new employment figures that cast doubt on the U.S. economic recovery. The Democratic Party needs big gains in November to grab the House majority from Republicans, who now hold a 240-192 advantage with three vacancies, including Giffords\' seat.

Republicans argued that Democrat Ron Barber, a former Giffords aide asked by the lawmaker to pursue the seat, would fall in line behind the White House. Democrats, in turn, played to the senior vote by contending that Republican Jesse Kelly, a tough-talking former Marine who narrowly lost to Giffords in 2010, would not protect Medicare, the government health care program for the elderly, and Social Security retirement benefits.

The victor will complete the remainder of Giffords\' term. Both candidates are promising to run for a full term in November, setting up a possible rematch in a redrawn district that is friendlier to Democrats.

Elsewhere Tuesday, Virginia, Maine, Nevada, Arkansas and South Carolina held primary elections — with most of those states choosing Senate nominees — as did North Dakota, where voters decided to let the University of North Dakota scrap its controversial nickname, the Fighting Sioux.

In Virginia, George Allen, who is battling to regain the U.S. Senate he lost in 2006, brushed aside three conservative rivals in the Virginia Republican Senate primary. Allen\'s victory set up a November clash with another former Virginia governor, Democrat Tim Kaine, in a campaign closely tied to the presidential race in a state both parties consider vital for victory.

In North Dakota, Rep. Rick Berg defeated businessman Duane Sand in the state\'s Republican Senate primary. Berg now faces Democrat Heidi Heitkamp in the November race to replace retiring Sen. Kent Conrad. The election is expected to play a critical role in determining which party controls the Senate next year.

In Nevada, Republican Sen. Dean Heller and Democratic Rep. Shelley Berkley easily defeated a slate of political unknowns in their respective primaries. Their November Senate race also will be one of the most competitive in the country.

In Maine, six Republicans and four Democrats were running to fill the Senate seat being vacated by Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe. The front-runner, former Gov. Angus King, wasn\'t on the ballot because he\'s running as an independent.

No statewide races were part of the Arkansas and South Carolina primaries

Of all the races Tuesday, the Arizona House race was the most closely watched, partly because of Giffords\' absorbing story and partly because holding onto the seat was important for Democrats if they want to regain control of the House of Representatives.

Giffords, 42, resigned in January to concentrate on her recovery from a gunshot wound to her head. Giffords and Barber were injured in the January 2011 shooting rampage outside a Tucson grocery store that killed six people, including a 9-year-old girl and a federal judge. Giffords largely has shunned public appearances in the race, but in the closing days stepped out to help Barber.

Outside groups have spent more than $2 million on the race.

Barber, 66, had a sizable fundraising lead in late May, but spending from conservative groups helped reduce his advantage.

The Arizona 8th is a rare district that is competitive virtually every election. Giffords defeated Kelly by about 4,000 votes in 2010 when the election focused on immigration.

Although the economy and jobs are now the top concerns, immigration is still an important issue. Kelly wants a double-layer fence built along the district\'s border with Mexico. Barber is skeptical the fence would work on the district\'s rugged terrain. He has called for more manpower, horse patrols and the use of drones.

Kelly, 30, spent the campaign arguing that Barber and Obama are out of touch with people in the district, where Republicans have a 26,000-person edge over Democrats in voter registration. He has called for lower taxes and more energy production as ways to improve the economy. And he has said he would roll back federal regulations and environmental protections in an effort to boost oil and gas drilling.

Barber spent the campaign trying to convince voters that he understands their concerns. He frequently talks about building up the solar industry and cutting taxes for the middle class. While Kelly has made it clear he would not support any income tax increases, Barber has said the wealthy need to \"pay their fair share.\"