Former Arizona Senate Majority Leader remembers McCain

Former Arizona Senate Majority leader reminisced on the first time he met Senator John McCain.

Alfredo Gutierrez said he was 26 when he met McCain before he announced he would be running for office.

He recalled that during the encounter he expected McCain to be arrogant, but instead he was humble.

“I knew who John McCain was. Anyone who served in Vietnam, anyone who served in the military in that era, knew who John McCain was. So, I looked forward to meeting him. But, I think I expected someone who was more arrogant, more full of himself, more willing to brag a bit about what a great hero he was, but he was precisely the opposite of that,” said Gutierrez.

He added that McCain made it a point to show his appreciation for fellow veterans.

“He appreciated what we did in that war. That’s something people don’t know. That’s something we’ll never forget,” said Gutierrez.

Gutierrez also explained the effect McCain had on the country.

“I never saw John McCain as an Arizona Senator. He was a Senator of the U.S.A. He was until the end. When he spoke, the country listened, not [just] Arizona listened,” said Gutierrez. “So, I’ve never defined him as an Arizona Senator. He wasn’t that small. He was much greater than that.”

The long-time Arizona Senator said he plans to attend the services at the North Phoenix Baptist Church on Thursday.