Kelly’s plan to privatize Social Security would gamble seniors’ retirement security in the market.

Tucson, Ariz. – Giffords for Congress today released a new television ad, “A Terrible Gamble.” The ad features Betty Evans, a retired nurse from Tucson, discussing the dangers of Jesse Kelly’s plans to privatize Social Security.

The ad begins running on Tucson television stations tonight.

“I think putting your Social Security money in the stock market would be a terrible gamble,” says Evans in the ad. “I would be very frightened. Jesse Kelly and all the people trying to get rid of Social Security and Medicare need to walk in somebody else’s shoes for a while. We certainly don’t need someone who is more interested in greed and not interested in the rest of the population. Social Security should be a guarantee.”

At Monday night’s AZ-08 debate, Kelly reiterated his commitment to privatizing Social Security. He has repeatedly called to “eliminate” and “phase out” Social Security. At the debate, Kelly again failed to explain how current retirees’ benefits would be met if younger workers stop fully paying into the system.

For 75 years, Social Security has been a bedrock promise between generations. Nine out of 10 Americans over the age of 65 receive Social Security benefits. Without Social Security, half of America’s seniors would live in poverty.

Gabrielle is committed to protecting Social Security, including opposing leaders in her own party who want to raise the retirement age. Gabrielle will never vote to privatize the program.

Gabrielle has been endorsed by the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, an organization dedicated to fighting for working families and seniors. In their letter, they praised her understanding of and support for “the critical roles that Social Security and Medicare play in the retirement and health security of our nation’s older citizens and their families.”

Gabrielle Giffords is a third generation Southern Arizonan and the only person in Congress with an active duty military spouse. Gabrielle is not like other politicians. She takes an independent view on the issues and was rated Arizona’s most moderate member of Congress by the National Journal in 2009. She’s voted against a Congressional pay raise every time one has come up, and she doesn’t make earmark requests for campaign contributors. Most importantly, Gabrielle stands up for Southern Arizona by working across the aisle to secure the border, protect our military and veterans and create jobs by investing in solar energy.

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