“I said on the day that Gov. Jan Brewer signed this bill that it was inappropriate and that I believed it was constitutionally questionable.”

“This ruling further emphasizes that the federal government needs to make immigration reform a high priority,” Glassman added. “For 28 years, John McCain has been on every side of the immigration issue, and has done nothing to solve this huge problem that has a major impact on Arizona. McCain’s failure in Washington has left Arizonans feeling frustrated, which led to SB 1070. Arizona needs a U.S. Senator who will help bring all sides to the table for meaningful federal reform on this critical issue.”

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PHOENIX, Ariz. – Rodney Glassman on Tuesday clearly demonstrated once again why he is the frontrunner and best choice in the race to succeed John McCain in the U.S. Senate.

In a debate on KAET-TV’s “Horizon,” Glassman focused on key issues important to Arizonans, including bringing more jobs to the state, immigration reform, improving education, helping homeowners who are upside down in their mortgages, fixing the state’s infrastructure and ensuring that more Arizona tax dollars come home.

“While Glassman’s opponents for the Democratic nomination spent much of their time  attacking him instead of saying how they would attack Arizona’s critical problems, Glassman turned the discussion back to the issues affecting Arizonans every day,” said Patrick Mellody, campaign manager.

“I am focused on job creation, education, sustainability and working with others in the U.S. Senate,” Glassman said during the 30-minute debate. He noted his varied list of endorsements, an indication that he works well with a wide range of people and organizations and that he could do the same thing in the U.S. Senate.

He also pointed to his track record as an advocate for women’s reproductive rights and working on behalf of labor groups.
And he said it’s time to get out of Afghanistan.  “We need to do it sensibly, but we need to do it soon,” he said. Instead of nation-building there, he said, “Let’s build our own nation. Let’s bring our men and women home.”

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“The Arizona Education Association is proud to recommend Rodney Glassman for U.S. Senate,” said AEA President Andrew Morrill. “Rodney understands the critical importance of investing in our educators and schools to deliver the education that Arizona’s students need to compete in a 21st-century global economy. Rodney understands that strong public schools build a strong state economy. Educators and families have a friend in Rodney Glassman.”

Glassman said he was honored by the AEA’s backing, noting that “teachers are on the front lines of our education system.”

“Education is the key to any child’s successful future,” Glassman said. “Arizona ranks dead last in classroom dollars and that’s unacceptable. We need to promote a culture that truly values education in homes, in the media and in the classroom.”

The AEA is a 32,000-member statewide organization composed of classroom teachers and education-support professionals.

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“La Asociación Educativa de Arizona se enorgullece en recomendar a Rodney Glassman para el senadoestadounidense”, indicó el presidente del AEA, Andrew Morrill. “Rodney comprende la importancia de la inversiónen nuestros maestros y escuelas, para llegar a proporcionar la educación que nuestros estudiantes en Arizonanecesitan para poder competir en la economía global del siglo XXI. Rodney entiende que un fuerte sistemaeducativo fortalece la economía estatal. Los maestros y las familias tienen una mano amiga con Rodney Glassman”.

Glassman reveló que se sentía muy honrado por el apoyo de la AEA, y observó que “los maestros están en laprimera línea de nuestro sistema educativo”.

“Una buena educación es la clave para un futuro exitoso”, dijo Glassman. “Arizona queda en el último lugaren cuanto al gasto por alumno, algo completamente inaceptable. Necesitamos promover una cultura queverdaderamente valora el estudio en los hogares, en los medios, y en las aulas”. La AEA es una organización estatal que cuenta con una membrecía de 32 mil maestros y profesionistas en el sistemaeducativo.

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“Esta elección es decisiva; necesitamos lideres en el senado estadounidense quienes se pondrán de pie en contra de las tentativas para limitar el acceso al cuidado de salud para la mujer, y quien será un defensor de la política a favor del cuidado de salud de la mujer”, indicó Cecile Richards, presidente del fondo. “El récord de Rodney Glassman hacia el servicio público y sus donaciones caritativas es sin igual, y ha demostrado su apoyo continuo por los derechos y salud de la mujer”.

En su sitio internet, el fondo de Planned Parenthood observa que, como vice-alcalde de Tucson, Glassman fue un fuerte defensor por los menores y por las familias.  Su fundación caritativa, la cual proporciona apoyo financiero a organizaciones quienes apoyan a niños necesitados en el Sur de Arizona, también ha recaudado fondos para las causas femeniles, incluyendo programas para educar a jóvenes y mujeres quienes han sufrido del abuso y el asalto sexual.

“Los votantes de Arizona ya están cansados de recibir la política de siempre de sus representantes en Washington”, observó Bryan Howard, presidente de Planned Parenthood Advocates de Arizona.  “Quieren elegir un campeón para la salud de la mujer, y Rodney Glassman es ese candidato.  Rodney se ha comprometido a ponerse de pie en defensa de la mujer y de la familia al priorizar el cuidado de salud antes que la ideología y la política”.

Glassman, candidato demócrata al puesto que hoy ocupa el senador republicano John McCain, reveló, “Estoy muy agradecido al haber recibido el apoyo del fondo Planned Parenthood.  Sus servicios han sido vitales hacia la promoción de la salud y el bienestar de la mujer y de la familia”.

El fondo Planned Parenthood Action Fund es la división independiente, no-lucrativa de la Federación de Planificación de la Familia de América, que por más de 90 años ha ayudado a las personas a tomar sus propias decisiones en relación con la planificación familiar, la salud,  y el uso de métodos anticonceptivos.  Cada año, los programas afiliados con Planned Parenthood promueven la salud reproductiva, salud sexual, e información a 5 millones de personas alrededor del mundo, de acuerdo a la organización.

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In its Voters’ Guide for the Aug. 24 primary, the newspaper called Glassman, “a savvy, young newcomer with a bright political future,” praising him for “the extraordinary energy he has brought to his campaign and the impressive political resume he has accumulated.”

“A lawyer and JAG officer in the Air Force [Reserve], Glassman served on the staff of Rep. Raúl Grijalva,” the endorsement noted. “He has served on the boards of an astonishing number of civic organizations ­­- a mark of both dedication and ambition.”

“A lawyer and JAG officer in the Air Force [Reserve], Glassman served on the staff of Rep. Raúl Grijalva,” the endorsement noted. “He has served on the boards of an astonishing number of civic organizations ­­- a mark of both dedication and ambition.”

Glassman is a former vice mayor of Tucson, and also started The Glassman Foundation, which has raised more than $1 million for children’s charities. In 2007, he left Grijalva’s staff to run for Tucson City Council, and was elected with more than 60 percent of the vote.

The Republic’s recommendation is the latest in a long and varied list of endorsements that Glassman has garnered so far in the campaign.

“This is great news. I am pleased and gratified to have the support of the largest newspaper in the state,” Glassman said.  “John McCain has been in Washington for 28 years, during which he spent more time thinking about himself than about the needs of Arizonans. It’s time for new leadership that focuses on jobs, on education and on alternative energy that will get our state – and the country – moving again.”

Early ballots will be mailed on Thursday, July 29. Early voting has become increasingly popular, with many voters signing up to be on a permanent early-voter list instead of going to the polls on Election Day.
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“It is disappointing that Washington and John McCain have failed us by refusing to act to preserve the openness and neutrality of the Internet,” said Glassman. “The Communications Act was written and passed in 1934 for communications technologies that have been obsolete for decades. Arizona needs a U.S. Senator who understands the critical need to preserve net neutrality and who won’t wait for decades to protect our rights to information on the Internet.”

“Every American today benefits from an open and neutral Internet, directly or indirectly. We have a stronger democracy and a more engaged electorate, in part because of the lower cost of information,” said Glassman. “The Internet has become an essential part of our democracy. It is critical that we act now to protect these important freedoms.”

There is a growing consensus among technology leaders and the public that the federal government needs new regulations geared toward modern-day broadband technologies. However, businesses which provide broadband have argued that new regulations prohibiting them from blocking content would drive up costs for consumers and prevent further technological development. Glassman believes that competition combined with regulations that protect the rights of consumers will ensure affordable, quality service in a free and open Internet environment where service providers do not dictate content.

The Internet should continue to operate under the following principles:

• Consumers should have the freedom to choose which content, including applications, they use, send or receive – without interference from Internet providers.
• Consumers should have the freedom to connect using their preferred device.
• Broadband providers should provide transparent network access while maintaining the security and integrity of the network.

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“This election is crucial, and we need leaders in the U.S. Senate who will stand strong against attempts to restrict women’s access to basic health care, and who will champion policies that make that health care more available to all women,” said Cecile Richards, president of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund. “Rodney Glassman’s record of public service and charitable giving stands on its own, and he is a proven advocate for women’s health and rights.”

On its website, the action fund notes that as Vice Mayor of Tucson, Glassman was a strong advocate for children and working families. His charitable foundation, which provides financial support for organizations that support underserved children in southern Arizona, has also raised money for women’s causes, including programs to educate girls and support women who have suffered from abuse and sexual assault.

“The voters in Arizona are tired of politics as usual from their elected officials who represent them in Washington,” said Bryan Howard, president of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona. “They want to elect a champion of women’s health, and Rodney Glassman is that candidate. He is committed to standing up for women and families by putting common-sense health care needs ahead of ideology and politics.”

Glassman, a Democrat seeking to unseat GOP Sen. John McCain, said, “I am gratified to have received the support of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund. Their important services have been vital to helping educate women and families about their health and well-being.”

The Planned Parenthood Action Fund is the non-partisan, not-for-profit advocacy and political arm of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, which for more than 90 years has helped women make informed decisions about sex, their health and family planning. Planned Parenthood affiliates provide sexual and reproductive health care, education, and information to 5 million women, men and adolescents worldwide each year, according to the organization.

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