Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, Retired NASA Astronaut Captain Mark Kelly, and Americans for Responsible Solutions PAC Endorse Candidates for the Arizona State Legislature
October 5, 2016 – Americans for Responsible Solutions PAC (ARS PAC) – the gun violence prevention organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and retired NASA astronaut Captain Mark Kelly – today announced its endorsement of five candidates for the Arizona State Legislature. Citing their support for a broad set of responsible gun violence prevention policies that help keep guns out of the wrong hands and protect the rights of law-abiding Americans, ARS PAC declared these five candidates its Arizona Champions for the Vocal Majority.
The endorsements are part of ARS PAC’s “Vocal Majority” campaign this fall to mobilize millions of Americans to make the 2016 election a referendum on gun violence prevention and to support leaders up and down the ballot who are committed to taking responsible steps that reduce gun violence. ARS PAC previously announced endorsements this year in races for the United States Senate, and plans to make additional endorsements in federal races this fall.
The newly-endorsed candidates include:
- Daniel Hernandez (House District 2)
- Dr. Randy Friese (House District 9)
- Stephanie Mach (House District 10)
- Steve Farley (Senate District 9)
- Dave Bradley (Senate District 10)
- Sean Bowie (Senate District 18)
- Dr. Eric Meyer (Senate District 28)
“We need more leaders in the Arizona State Legislature who will stand up to the gun lobby and stand with the Vocal Majority of Arizonans who support commonsense change to help keep guns out of the wrong hands and save lives,” said ARS PAC Co-Founders Congresswoman Giffords and Captain Kelly. “We know that each of these leaders will be a strong supporter in the Arizona State Legislature of responsible steps that protect the rights of law-abiding gun owners like us and make our communities safer. We are proud to endorse each of these candidates as an Arizona Champion for the Vocal Majority and look forward to having them as a steady voice for responsibility in the Arizona State Legislature.”
Along with its endorsements of its Arizona Champions for the Vocal Majority, this year ARS PAC is making significant investments in races and ballot initiatives across the country to support pro-gun violence prevention candidates and responsible ballot initiatives. ARS is also working to hold candidates in the gun lobby’s grip accountable.
On Tuesday, September 27th, Congresswoman Giffords and Captain Kelly also launched a six-week, 14-state, 42-day nationwide bus tour – the Vocal Majority Tour – to encourage the vast number of Americans who support commonsense change to our gun laws to step up, speak out, and be catalysts for change this November. The Vocal Majority Tour is traveling to communities in battleground states and districts for grassroots events with local leaders, elected officials, and candidates to help ignite the Vocal Majority and elevate gun violence prevention in this fall’s election. After five events in Florida last week, the Vocal Majority Tour and Congresswoman Giffords are in Iowa and Minnesota this week. Follow the Vocal Majority Tour at: www.TheVocalMajority.com.