PHOENIX (AP) — Democratic congressman Ron Barber has staved off his first primary challenge.

Barber defeated state representative Matt Heinz in his party's primary on Tuesday. Barber won his seat in a June special election after Gabrielle Giffords announced she was resigning and endorsed Barber as her replacement early this year.

Barber will face retired Air Force Col. Martha McSally, winner of Tuesday's Republican primary, in November.

The 2nd District takes in parts of Tucson and Pima County and all of Cochise County.