I'm Rodney Glassman, Vice Mayor of the City of Tucson, who is exploring a run for the Democratic nomination for U.S Senate against John McCain and J.D. Hayworth. We have been traveling the state in effort to learn straight from Arizonans. We truly value the voice of the people and believes that together we can make Arizona the greatest state to live, to work and to raise a family!
This week's report from the campaign trail is a bit short - I'm a Lieutenant in the Air Force Reserve and I was gone for several days for training. Even so we managed to make it to events around the state.
Monday found us back in Maricopa County, attending the annual Mesa Prayer Breakfast, at the invitation of Mayor Scott Smith and one of our supporters Council member Dina Higgins. This event celebrates the diversity of beliefs we have with the common goal of working to better our community. This was the second time I've attended and this year I contributed by singing a Jewish prayer. Steve Kraft from Fox 10 news Phoenix was waiting outside after the event. The interview I gave aired later that evening http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/... Steve is a fellow Eagle Scout so we talked about the Scout Oath, law, and how it’s important to always "be prepared."
Wednesday we attended the Arizona Democratic Party Legislative Salute Dinner. Our supporter, Terry Goddard, Arizona Attorney General and candidate for the Governor's office gave the keynote speech. Singled out this year for his past contributions was Jack W. Lunsford, current President of WESTMARC and the former Coconino County Assessor. You can't put more than a few Democrats into a room before the talk begins and this was a good sized gathering: "Is 2010 the year the people take their Senate seat and give it to someone who is focused on local interests?" As we continue to explore the State the Teamsters, Statewide Machinists and Electrical Workers, and thousands and thousands of Arizona’s keep giving that answer an affirmative answer with their support. Our new website is up and running and people are excited to learn more about me!
Thursday I left the state for three days to complete more of the training required for my role as an Air Force Reserve JAG Reservist. I'm stationed at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, but the traininig I attended was in Atlanta, Georgia. Someday, I'll be a veteran and I'm very concerned that we're saying one thing and doing something else in terms of funding both the Veterans Administration and the education programs we've committed to providing to our men and women in uniform.
Sunday we attended a well-attended event in Green Valley to meet with neighbors (which unfortunately meant we missed part of the U.S./Canada ice hockey game). The issues affecting Green Valley, namely concerns about mineral extraction and health care for seniors, are not those of corporate America. As a nation and within the state of Arizona the interests of the residents and the companies they work for or retired from need to be brought into balance. These smaller gatherings are something I will continue to make time for as I serve the people of Arizona, no matter what office I might hold.
My passion for community work and bringing people together means we have to involve everyone —not just those who can afford a seat at an expensive fundraiser table. That is why I’m exploring the U.S. Senate by accepting no more that $20 contributions. It takes more than money to become a U.S. Senator, which is why I’m trying to get people from all parts of the community involved in my efforts. Together we can make it happen, but it doesn’t start with me—it starts with US.
Please check out www.rodneyglassman.com, consider contributing $20, and please help us spread the word by forwarding the link to your friends.