Democrat Rodney Glassman gave up his City Council seat after less than three years serving Ward 2 to jump into the race for U.S. Sen. John McCain's seat. Given the current national mood and his lack of name ID statewide, we'd rate his chances as low, unless Republican J.D. Hayworth somehow wins the primary or McCain stumbles in some outrageous fashion.
Hey, given the weird way in which politics are playing out these days, neither outcome is completely out of the question.
Glassman says he's been getting a lot of e-mails and calls since he made his announcement last night.
"We've had an outpouring of support from across the state because Arizonans are going to have an opportunity to send a real advocate to Washington, D.C., for our state," Glassman says.
Meanwhile, Republican Lori Oien, who lost to Glassman in 2007, offers up a weird argument as to why she should be appointed: She got matching funds from the city for her campaign, so taxpayers have made an investment
in her. From her press release:
In 2007, when I ran for this seat, the City invested over $21,000.00 in matching funds, I believe that it is time the City and the residents of Tucson, cash in on that investment and appoint me to the Ward 2 City Council seat.
Given Oien's relentless criticism of current Democratic council members and her support of the Public Safety First Initiative—which was crushed by voters last year—we have a hard time seeing them appoint her to the office, although we wouldn't be surprised to see her run for it next year, when the city is likely to move from citywide to ward-only elections.
Other names floating about the political either include Democrats Paul Cunningham (the son of former lawmaker George Cunningham), Clarence Boykins and Judy Clinco.
