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
2011 Tucson shooting
2011 Tucson shooting
2012 Arizona's 8th congressional district special election