The brutal assassination of conservative activist and Arizonan Charlie Kirk in Utah last week is a chilling reminder of the rising tide of political violence and hate threatening the United States.
Coupled with escalating violent crime and global challenges like the war in Gaza, Arizona and states across the nation face a critical moment. We need Attorneys-General with the courage, clarity, and conviction to confront these threats head-on. In Arizona, that leader is Lieutenant-Colonel Rodney Glassman.
The attack on Charlie Kirk wasn’t just an assault on one man - it was an attack on free speech, a cornerstone of our democracy. Arizona’s current Democrat Attorney-General, Kris Mayes, has failed to prioritize the enforcement of laws protecting free expression and combating hate crimes. Her tenure has been marked by a troubling reluctance to aggressively prosecute those who intimidate or silence conservative voices, allowing an environment where political violence festers.
In contrast, Rodney Glassman, a constitutional conservative, private-sector attorney, and Lieutenant-Colonel in the US Air Force JAG Corps Reserve with nearly two decades of service in uniform, is uniquely equipped to restore safety and defend our rights. Rodney’s commitment to law and order is unwavering.
Backed by Maricopa County Sheriff Jerry Sheridan and over 34 law enforcement member groups across Arizona, he will prioritize public safety and back the blue. Unlike Mayes, who has often put politics over principle, Rodney will enforce Arizona’s hate crime laws, including A.R.S. § 13-701(D)(15), which enhances penalties for crimes motivated by bias, and A.R.S. § 13-1202, which addresses threats and intimidation.
He will also champion legislation to strengthen protections against interference with free speech, ensuring that no Arizonan is silenced by fear or violence.
As a proud Jewish American who recently visited Israel for the fifth time, Rodney understands the stakes of rising antisemitism and political extremism. While Mayes has been soft on enforcing anti-BDS laws and combating anti-Semitic incidents, Rodney will fiercely defend Jewish communities and Arizona’s democratic ally, Israel. His commitment to the US-Israel alliance resonates deeply with the over 500,000 Americans living in Israel, including myself, as Chairman of Republicans Overseas Israel.
Rodney’s support for President Trump’s America First agenda underscores his belief that our rights-speech, religion, and self-defense-come from God, not government. He will protect Arizona from federal overreach, uphold Second Amendment rights, and defend religious freedom without compromise. As a father, Rodney also champions parents’ rights, ensuring they-not bureaucrats-control their children’s education, and he will safeguard Arizona’s leadership in school choice.
The assassination of Charlie Kirk is a wake-up call. Arizona cannot afford an Attorney-General who fails to confront hate and protect free speech. Rodney Glassman will be a fighter-enforcing existing laws, advocating for stronger protections, and ensuring Arizona remains a place where all voices can be heard without fear. His leadership will resonate beyond our borders, strengthening ties with allies like Israel and sending a clear message: Arizona stands for freedom. I urge every Arizonan to join me in supporting Lt.-Col. Rodney Glassman for Attorney-General. Our state, our rights, and our future depend on it.
Marc Zell is Chairman of Republicans Overseas Israel and Vice President & General Counsel of Republicans Overseas, Inc. He is an Israeli-American attorney.