GIFFORDS PAC Endorses Debbie Mucarsel-Powell for US Senate in Florida

Washington DC — Today, GIFFORDS PAC, the gun safety organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, announced its endorsement of former Congresswoman Debbie Murcarsel-Powell for US Senate in Florida. In 2021, Congresswoman Mucarsel-Powell joined GIFFORDS as a Senior Advisor and led efforts to launch GIFFORDS Florida, the organization’s first ever bilingual, state-based political program.

“Florida has been home to some of the worst instances of gun violence in American history, yet leaders across the state continue to put their political interests over public safety. It’s time we send committed gun safety champions to Washington instead — starting with my friend Debbie Mucarsel-Powell. I am incredibly proud to endorse Debbie because I have seen the passion she brings to this fight. In Congress, she was a leading voice for gun violence prevention and helped pave the way for historic progress in the fight to save lives. For the past two years, we have also been lucky to have Debbie leading our work in the Sunshine State as a vital part of the GIFFORDS team. In this role, she’s been unparalleled in her efforts to bring communities together and make real change for everyday Floridians. As a mother and as a survivor of gun violence herself, I know that Debbie will always put the safety of our children and families first. With her leading the way in the Senate, real progress will be possible.”

“Gun violence is a personal issue for me. I lost my father to it when I was 24 years old. Since then, I’ve been committed to fighting for a safer for future for our children and communities. Over the past two years, I have had the honor to work with my dear friend, Gabby Giffords, and travel the country and across Florida fighting for gun safety policies that will make real change. Florida needs a senator who will put our children’s lives before the gun lobby’s wants. Thats why I’m running for Senate. I’m so proud to have the support of Gabby and GIFFORDS as we fight for un futuro sin violencia!”

For former Congresswoman Mucarsel-Powell, the fight to end gun violence is deeply personal. At just 24 years old, she lost her father to a senseless act of gun violence — altering the course of her life forever. Now, as a mother herself, Congresswoman Mucarsel-Powell has made it her mission to build a safer future for the next generation. 

In 2018, Congresswoman Mucarsel-Powell made history as the first South American-born immigrant to ever be elected to Congress after flipping a red district blue. In office, she consistently put the safety of her constituents first and made the passage of commonsense gun safety laws a top priority as a Vice Chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. As a member of the Judiciary Committee, Congresswoman Mucarsel-Powell helped pass landmark legislation through the House to expand background checks to all gun sales and close loopholes in America’s gun laws that put victims of domestic abuse at risk — all of which tragically stalled in the Senate due to the inaction of gun-lobby backed Republicans like Senator Rick Scott. However, because of the leadership of committed champions like Congresswoman Mucarsel-Powell, Democrats and Republicans came together to pass the first federal funding for gun violence research in over two decades in 2019.

Since joining GIFFORDS as a Senior Advisor, Congresswoman Mucarsel-Powell has traveled the country to engage with survivors of gun violence, gun owners, legislators, and young people alike in an effort to enact real change for lifesaving reforms.

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