Glass takes campaign to coffee shop, stresses independence

Attorney General candidate Jonathan Robert “Robby” Glass Jr. is taking a different approach to campaigning—meeting voters over coffee while largely staying away from traditional campaign fundraisers and contributions.

Glass, who is No. 3 on the ballot for attorney general, held a “Coffee with the Candidate” event last Oct. 5 at Cha Cafe in Garapan. His campaign did not accept money at the event, with attendees instead asked to support the local business by purchasing something from the cafe.

“I think the thing that's unique is I'm not holding a lot of like campaign fundraisers,” Glass said. “I'm not trying to get a bunch of money in from the CNMI as part of my campaign, because part of my platform and what's very important to me is that I'm independent, right?”

Glass said accepting campaign contributions can create expectations from donors and said he wants to avoid being beholden to anyone if elected.

“So it's important to me that I'm not beholden to anyone,” he said. “And so when I do these kinds of events, I'm not looking for those campaign contributions so that I have people that come up and go, hey, you know, I gave you that money for your campaign. What are you going to give me?”

Glass said maintaining independence is particularly important for the Office of the Attorney General.

“That's how we cut the political and familial ties out from this office,” he said.

Glass said conversations during his campaign, including door-to-door visits, have centered largely on voters wanting change and greater independence from political interests.

“People are wanting change,” he said. “They're tired of using the same old recycled stuff, the same old outcomes. They want something new and different. And I think that's what I bring.”

Glass acknowledged that turnout at Monday morning's event was not large, but said he has seen more people openly supporting his campaign as the election approaches.

He said voters should be able to support candidates without political or family disagreements getting in the way.

“The way to move this place forward is we work together,” Glass said. “If we want to see this place succeed, which I know we do, then we have to work together.”

If elected, Glass said one of his priorities during his first 100 days would be to meet with government departments and agencies to hear directly about their legal needs and concerns involving the Attorney General's Office.

“I want to sit down and hear what their struggles were,” Glass said. “Because I want to work with them, right? We don't do any good working against each other all the time.”

Glass also said an attorney general must be prepared to prosecute violations of Commonwealth law even when government officials or employees are involved.

“If you're not willing to do that as part of your job, then this is not the office for you,” he said.

Glass said he has previously prosecuted politicians and police officers and believes that experience has prepared him for that responsibility.

He closed the interview with his campaign pitch: “So this Nov. 3, vote No. 3, Glass for AG. The clear choice because Glass is transparent.”