Giffords PAC, the gun violence prevention organization founded by Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, today endorsed candidates with diverse backgrounds as educators, volunteers, local business leaders, and parents for the Iowa legislature. 

Their dedication to commonsense solutions to gun violence—like universal background checks, extreme risk protection order laws, and closing dangerous loopholes in existing gun safety legislation—will help ensure the health and safety of all Iowans.

Christian Andrews – House District 95: Christian Andrews is a Democrat from Mount Vernon running for House District 95. Christian is a public works employee who regularly volunteers in his community. His experiences helping others led him to help establish Unify for Education, an advocacy group centered on ensuring that public comments are part of the proceedings for the Iowa Board of Regents.

Rep. Karin Derry – House District 39: Karin Derry is running for her second term as representative for District 39 in the Iowa House. An attorney and community volunteer, Karin is a graduate of Drake University Law School and has worked for the State of Iowa’s Department of Inspections and Appeals, in addition to having clerked for the Iowa Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. During her time in the Iowa House, Karin has supported legislation to prevent senseless acts of gun violence. Iowans can rest assured that Karin Derry will advocate for the safety of their communities by furthering commonsense gun safety legislation. 

Sarah Trone Garriott – Senate District 22: Sarah Trone Garriott is running for Senate District 22. Sarah lives in Windsor Heights with her family, where she is a Lutheran minister. Sarah joined AmeriCorps right after college, helping survivors of domestic violence. She later spent time as a hospital chaplain, continuing to serve people in their time of need. Sarah now works within the nonprofit sector, and is ready to serve her community in Iowa’s legislature. 

Eric Gjerde – House District 67: Eric Gjerde is running for the Iowa House in District 67. Eric is a special education teacher and coach at Jefferson High School in Cedar Rapids who volunteers his time as a Special Deputy with the Linn County Sheriff’s Office. He holds a doctorate in educational policy and leadership studies from the University of Northern Iowa. 

Marie Gleason – House District 94: Marie Gleason is seeking her first term in Iowa House District 94. After a 20-year career at John Deere, Marie retired and began dedicating her time to public service. Marie serves on the Board of Directors for Dress for Success Quad Cities, helping empower women seeking to further their careers and achieve economic independence. 

Rep.Jennifer Konfrst – House District 43: Jennifer Konfrst, a Democrat from Windsor Heights, is seeking her second term in House District 43. Jennifer is an associate professor of journalism and mass communication at Drake University and previously worked for Iowa Public Television. Jennifer is passionate about local education, actively volunteering on various parent-teacher associations and school boards. 

As a mother and an educator, Jennifer understands that no American should have to live in fear of gun violence, especially young students at school. During her tenure in the Iowa House, Jennifer has stood up against legislation that would prohibit localities from enacting their own gun safety measures. Iowans can trust Jennifer Konfrst to prioritize their community’s well-being by advocating for commonsense gun safety legislation. 
 
Rhonda Martin – Senate District 20: Rhonda Martin is seeking to represent District 20 in the Iowa Senate. In 2018, Rhonda was elected to the Johnston City Council. In addition to her civic duties, Rhonda is a landscape architect and project manager at Iowa State University. In her spare time, Rhonda volunteers her expertise on multiple advisory councils and boards. Throughout her time in public service, Rhonda has opposed legislation that sought to weaken firearm laws. Rhonda understands the importance of gun violence prevention and is ready to support solutions that strengthen the safety of her community in the Iowa Senate.

Rep. Heather Matson – House District 38: Heather Matson is running for a second term to represent Iowa House District 38. Heather has spent her career improving public policy and advocating for ideas she believes in, working in several capacities on campaigns up and down the ballot. Heather most recently served as the development director for Des Moines Social Club. 

During her time in the Iowa House, Heather has fought back against legislation that would stop localities from implementing their own gun violence prevention measures. Heather Matson will ensure Iowans’ safety by continuing to push for popular gun safety reform.

Andrea Phillips – House District 37: Andrea Phillips is the Democratic nominee for Iowa House District 37. Andrea previously served as the vice chair of the Iowa Democratic Party and is currently raising her family in Ankeny. Prior to her career in politics, Andrea worked as director of marketing at a multinational company. Her experience in marketing taught her the importance of connecting with others through shared interests, which Andrea will use to work across the aisle and make progress in the Iowa House of Representatives. 
 
Rep. Kristin Sunde – House District 42: Kristin Sunde is seeking her second term in the Iowa House, representing District 42. Prior to entering public service, Kristin was a TV news reporter and worked in advertising and public relations. She now owns a financial advisory business with her husband to help Iowans plan for the future. 

Kristin has proven herself to be a strong advocate for gun safety. In her first term in the Iowa House, she co-sponsored legislation allowing for extreme risk protection laws, which would empower families and law enforcement to temporarily prohibit individuals in crisis from accessing firearms. If re-elected, Kristen Sunde will continue her fight for the safety of all Iowans.

Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad – House District 35: Representative Ako Abdul-Samad is running for re-election to Iowa’s 35th House District. A longtime community activist, Ako is resolute about the need for stronger gun laws and has spoken publicly about the tragedy of his son’s death from gun violence. Ako is a member of the Iowa House Public Safety Committee and a strong supporter of background checks for all gun purchases. By transforming his grief into action, Representative Ako Abdul-Samad is ready to fight for gun safety for all Iowans.

Rep. Marti Anderson – House District 36: Representative Marti Anderson is seeking re-election to represent Iowa’s 36th House District. Marti has a long history of public service and nearly four decades of advocating for victims of crime. Marti has spent her tenure in the legislature supporting commonsense gun laws, including extreme risk protection order laws that allow for the temporary removal of firearms from those who pose a demonstrated threat to themselves or others. Marti has also introduced bills to close loopholes that allow convicted domestic abusers and stalkers to purchase guns. An outspoken opponent of legislation that prevents local governments from enacting gun ordinances, Representative Marti Anderson is prepared to continue advocating for the safety of her communities. 

Christina Bohannan – House District 85: Christina Bohannan is seeking to represent Iowa’s 85th House District. In her role as a professor at the University of Iowa College of Law,  Christina teaches several issues related to gun violence, including constitutional interpretation of the Second Amendment. As a mother, she fears for her daughter’s safety in the wake of mass shooting after mass shooting. If elected to the Iowa House, Christina Bohannan is ready to push for lifesaving legislation, including background checks and extreme risk protection order laws.

Rep. Lindsay James – House District 99: Representative Lindsay James represents Iowa’s 99th House District. A first-term House member, Lindsay has spent her career as a college chaplain and was a co-founding director of the Loras College Peace Institute. As a mom, Lindsay cares deeply about making sure kids across Iowa are safe. In order to help prevent gun violence, Linsday supports legislation requiring  background checks on all gun purchases,  implementing extreme risk protection orders, and raising the minimum age to purchase an assault weapon to 21. Iowans can trust Lindsay James to keep their communities safe.

Rep. Mary Mascher – House District 86: Representative Mary Mascher is a longtime state representative and teacher from Iowa City who was first elected to the Iowa House in 1994. Her service in the legislature has focused on improving the lives of women, children, and families, particularly in the area of public education. As a fierce gun safety advocate, Mary has fought against legislation that weakens gun laws and supports enacting laws that would better protect domestic abuse victims from gun crimes. If re-elected to the Iowa House, Mary Mascher will continue fighting for commonsense gun safety legislation. 

Rep. Art Staed – House District 66: Representative Art Staed represents the 66th District in Iowa’s House. Art has been a staunch advocate for gun violence prevention during his time in the Iowa legislature. Art holds master’s degrees in secondary education and secondary administration and has spent his career as an educator working to assist at-risk students. To ensure the safety of his students and all communities across Iowa, Art supports background checks on all firearm purchases. Art Staed is no stranger to tragedies from preventable gun deaths, and these experiences will continue to inform Art’s advocacy for commonsense gun safety laws. 

Rep. Beth Wessel-Kroeschell – House District 45: Representative Beth Wessel-Kroeschell is seeking re-election to serve Iowa’s 45th House District. A former high school English teacher, Beth earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa and her MPA from Iowa State University. At the Iowa Legislature, Beth led opposition to harmful gun laws as a member of the House Public Safety Committee. If re-elected to the Iowa House, Beth Wessel-Kroeschell will continue advocating for commonsense gun safety measures, including background checks and extreme risk protection order laws. 

Rep. Ross Wilburn – House District 46: Representative Ross Wilburn is a first-term House member who knows Iowa can have sensible gun ownership laws while respecting the Second Amendment. Ross is a longtime social worker who has provided counseling and crisis intervention services due to gun violence and suicide. Previously, Ross served as a city council member and the mayor of Iowa City. Ross currently serves as diversity officer and associate director for community economic development at Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Ross Wilburn is a proven leader and will continue advocating for gun safety legislation, including extreme risk protection orders, to keep Iowans safe. 

Rep. Ras Smith – House District 62: Representative Ras Smith, a Waterloo native, works with a nonprofit to raise awareness of dropout prevention services in his community  and the state. As a freshman lawmaker, Ras was a vocal critic of dangerous “stand your ground” legislation, pointing out the disproportionate negative impact it can have on Black and Brown people. To keep the communities he serves safe, Ras supports critical, lifesaving legislation including background checks. If re-elected to the Iowa House, Ras Smith will continue advocating for all Iowans by fighting for gun violence prevention measures. 

Rep. Jo Oldson – House District 41: Rep. Oldson currently serves as Minority Whip of the Iowa House. As a legislator for more than 15 years, Rep. Oldson has a strong tenure supporting gun safety measures. In the most recent legislative session, Rep. Oldson co-sponsored legislation providing for extreme risk protection laws, which would allow families and law enforcement to temporarily restrict firearm access to individuals at risk of injuring themselves or others. If re-elected to the Iowa House, Jo Oldson will continue to fight for commonsense gun safety laws.

Giffords is proud to endorse these candidates for the Iowa Legislature.