/ Modified oct 11, 2014 7:26 a.m.

2nd Congressional District Seat May Be Up to Convincing Independents

Rematch between Democrat Barber, Republican McSally could come down to who is seen as more politically moderate.

CD 2 Race Barber, McSally Your Vote graphic SPOT

Story by Ted Robbins

Editor's note: This story has been updated with a correction in the sixth paragraph.

Voter registration in Arizona's 2nd Congressional District is roughly one-third Republican, one-third Democratic and one-third independent, which means the candidate seen as moderate could take the seat.

And, predictably, both Democratic incumbent Ron Barber and Republican challenger Martha McSally are trying to claim that space.

"I am a moderate person when it comes right down to it," Barber said during a meet and greet with voters in Tucson. "That's how I've lived my life."

At the gathering, Barber spoke about protecting Social Security, Medicare and veterans benefits. All things McSally has said she wants to save, as well. But voters wouldn't know it from a TV ad funded by the Democratic Party, which pointed to McSally's position on the issues in the 2012 CD 2 race.

The ad said McSally wants to privatize Social Security in the stock market, wants to raise retirement age, and that she even supports a plan that would have turned Medicare into a voucher system.

In 2012, McSally supported many Tea Party positions. Today, she said she is a pragmatist.

"Study the issue, figure out what's best for the issue, what's best for the country and then get on with it," she said.

Barber has said McSally is just masking her real beliefs.

And McSally, too, has attacked Barber over partisanship.

An ad by the Republican Party points to the lack of action on immigration reform, saying Barber never introduced a single border bill, and that he voted with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi against border security.

Several surveys of votes in the House rank Barber as one of the Democrats most likely to vote against his party. He plays up his independence, although he still votes with his party most of the time.

"This election is not about Obama or anybody else. It's about me and Martha McSally," he said.

That is a sentiment both Barber and McSally agree on.

In a split district, the question is, who will get party faithfuls to vote and attract independents fed-up with party ideology.

The general election is Nov. 4. Early voting ballots were mailed this week.

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