Giffords’ endorsements show broad, bipartisan support

November 3, 2008
For Immediate Release
Contact: Eric Swedlund
Communications Director
Giffords for Congress
520-512-0012

 

GIFFORDS’ ENDORSEMENTS SHOW BROAD, BIPARTISAN APPROVAL

First-term congresswoman draws support from all walks of life, all corners of Southeastern Arizona

 

TUCSON — Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords’ successful first term has earned enthusiastic endorsements from a diverse and influential coalition of groups, individuals and newspapers from throughout Southeastern Arizona’s 8th Congressional District. 

Giffords is proud of the support from veterans, law enforcement officers, firefighters, teachers, medical professionals, newspapers, the business community, students, unions, conservation groups, elected officials and Democrats, Republicans and Independents throughout Southern Arizona. 

Giffords won an impressive slate of newspaper endorsements, including the Arizona Daily Wildcat, Arizona Daily Star, Arizona Republic, Sierra Vista Herald, Tucson Citizen and Tucson Weekly.

The Republic called Giffords “a principled, hard-working congresswoman who does her district proud.” The Star said “few congressional representatives can claim the frequency or quality of constituent interaction.” The Citizen called Giffords accessible, candid and “eager to discuss her actions directly with the people of District 8.” 

Giffords’ supporters include Gov. Janet Napolitano and Republican Mayor Ed Honea of Marana, who said he was pleased with Giffords’ advocacy on behalf of the town in a dispute over new FEMA flood maps. “She has just been a savior of Marana,” Honea said.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Political Action Committee’s endorsement cited Giffords’ “strong support for veterans, national security/defense, and military personnel issues.” Gen. Wesley Clark called Giffords a “fighter” and an “effective leader.”

Supporters launched several groups to coordinate outreach efforts on behalf of the campaign. Veterans for Giffords, Students for Giffords and Educators for Giffords worked to spread the word about the congresswoman’s accomplishments and positions on issues vital to specific constituencies. 

Retired Four Star General John A. Wickham, Army Chief of Staff for President Ronald Reagan, and Bill Valenzuela, a long-time Tucson businessman and former Marine who served during the Korean conflict, co-chaired Veterans for Giffords.

“I strongly support Congresswoman Giffords,” said Wickham, whose 37-year Army career includes earning two Silver Stars for battlefield valor, a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. “She has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the men and women who have served our country and that is why I proudly stand behind her.”

The steering committee members of Educators for Giffords and Students For Giffords worked to spread the word of Giffords’ endorsements from the National Education Association, Arizona Education Association and Tucson Education Association, as well as her strong advocacy for expanding early childhood education, improving achievement across K-12 grades and ensuring affordability and accessibility to post-secondary education.  

Endorsements from first-responders include the Arizona Conference of Police and Sheriffs, Arizona Police Association, State Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, International Firefighters Association, Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona and Tucson Firefighters. Additionally, the federal prison AFGE Union Local 3955 endorsed Giffords. 

“Safety is the top priority of the 487 employees at the federal prison and Gabrielle Giffords is dedicated to making conditions better,” said Dave Clifford, Vice President of AFGE Union Local 3955. “We strongly endorse Gabrielle because of her hard work fighting for stab-proof vests, personal protective equipment and better staffing levels. She’s always been there for us and we’ll always be there for her.”

Congresswoman Giffords serves on the House Committees on Armed Services Committee, Foreign Affairs and Science and Technology. She introduced 19 bills and amendments in her first term, seven of which were signed into law. She held more than 300 public meetings in the district since she was sworn in as the third woman to represent Arizona in Congress.  

In March, the nonpartisan National Journal lauded Giffords as part of the “New Center” in Congress, saying her bipartisan voting record places her among the influential moderates in the House.

“Gabrielle Giffords has stood up for the people of Southern Arizona, time after time, on issue after issue and the campaign is proud to see that her hard work and leadership has led to such a strong slate of endorsements,” said campaign Chairman Michael McNulty. “Her dedication to her constituents is second to none in Congress and it’s clear that Southern Arizona voters want her to continue serving their interests in Washington.” 

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