Impressions of Rodney Glassman: An atypical politician

After interviewing Rodney Glassman, the representative of Tucson's second ward, I was left with several impressions, but one of them caught me rather off-guard. While Glassman’s success and dedication as a civil servant are certainly good things, you might be surprised at these achievements as you learn more about him.

In my interview with Glassman for an article to appear on BorderBeat.net later this week, we discussed much of what has led him to his current political career. Our conversations have run the gamut of biographical topics from his childhood and time as an undergraduate, to his multiple graduate degrees, his professional career, and his future aspirations. It is from what I learned about Glassman that I find myself so refreshingly surprised at his political accomplishments.

As someone who, in many ways, is not the typical politician, Glassman still shares a genuine concern for the good of his constituents. Above and beyond that, he seems to genuinely care about the well-being of anyone he can reach, not just those of Tucson’s second ward. This is evidenced by his involvement in various philanthropies, as well as one that he started and operates, The Glassman Foundation.

Glassman earned his undergraduate degree, as well as a PhD, an MBA and a J.D. from the UA. He explained to me in great detail his plans to be an attorney in the near future, yet he finds himself serving a job that he never intended to. Glassman admits that he has no further aspirations in politics; he and his wife agreed this would not be his career (not many politicians on a local level ever make the jump to the state level). But what’s wrong with that?

The southern California native who is now proud to call Tucson his home finds himself motivated by a different agenda, by a genuine desire to empower others, to better their lives and to serve their interests. As a community representative, Glassman has been helping out Tucson’s second ward with seemingly mundane issues such as fixing potholes and responding to numerous individual complaints (topics have ranged from not having enough recycling bins to neighborhood cleanliness). However, Glassman has also worked on larger legislative issues like guest-worker programs, solar power, and water conservation.

Perhaps this is what we need; more people in a field that weren’t looking to be there in the first place. This may be an oversimplification, but more politicians in the mold of Glassman wouldn’t hurt. Politicians who didn’t necessarily set out for a glamorous, me-first spot in the public eye, but rather those who are drawn to the job by a desire to do what the position really entails: serving the good of the community.