SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Two Republicans hoping to become Arizona’s next attorney general traded sharp personal attacks and questioned each other’s qualifications during a contentious debate Thursday night.
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State Senate President Warren Petersen and attorney Rodney Glassman appeared in a debate hosted by the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission and the Arizona Media Association ahead of the July 21 Republican primary.
The two candidates spent much of the hour-long debate criticizing each other’s legal backgrounds, experience and personal credibility as they compete for the GOP nomination to become Arizona’s top law enforcement officer.
Petersen also dredged up unproven allegations that Glassman had sexually abused his brother. The longtime lawmaker also made a disparaging remark at state Schools Superintendent and former Attorney General Tom Horne, who is supporting Glassman.
“This man is a charlatan. This man is a fraud. He lies about everything,” Petersen said of Glassman during the debate.
Glassman fired back, saying Petersen lacks courtroom experience.
“He’s never filed a lawsuit as a lawyer. He’s never prosecuted a criminal as a lawyer,” Glassman said.
Glassman, who has been an attorney since 2008, highlighted his background as a prosecutor and his service as a reservist lieutenant colonel at Luke Air Force Base.
“I’ve been a prosecutor for over 17 years,” Glassman said. “I’ve prosecuted drug dealers and financial crimes and protected victims of sexual assault.”
Petersen became a lawyer three years ago, but argued his leadership experience as Arizona Senate president gives him an advantage. Petersen has served in the Legislature for 14 years and oversees about 200 employees at the Capitol.
“I’m running to keep Arizona safe, free and prosperous,” Petersen said. “I do not want Arizona to turn into California.”
The debate repeatedly turned personal.
Glassman mocked Petersen’s legal experience, comparing it to someone getting a haircut and suddenly calling themselves a barber.
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Petersen responded by attacking Glassman’s wealth and lifestyle.
“Rodney Glassman is a trust fund baby who lives in an 11,000 square foot home in the Biltmore,” Petersen said, before claiming he had prosecuted more trials than Glassman as an intern.
The most contentious moment came near the end of the debate when Petersen referenced unproven allegations raised by some of his supporters, accusing Glassman of abusing his brother as a child.
“There have been serious criminal allegations raised against Mr. Glassman,” Petersen said.
Glassman denied the accusations and noted he has not been charged with any crime.
“Those allegations have been refuted and denied by everyone involved,” Glassman responded.
During the debate, Glassman noted he had the support of Horne.
“Having Tom Horney’s endorsement is not a good thing,” Petersen said.
Glassman than dared Petersen to repeat the slur, and Petersen responded: “Are you deaf, Rodney?”
Glassman called the remark “disgusting,” prompting Petersen to say: “You’re disgusting, and you belong in prison.”
After the debate, during a question-and-answer session with reporters, Petersen doubled down on unproven claims against Glassman.
“It just goes back to a pattern of Warren Petersen, just false allegations and tired attacks,” Glassman said.
The winner of the July 21 Republican primary will face Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes in November. Mayes is unopposed in the Democratic primary.
Mayes narrowly won the attorney general race in 2022 by just 280 votes.