ARS PAC Endorses Additional Candidates for the United States Senate and the House of Representatives
October 11, 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 13 additional candidates for the United States Senate and House of Representatives. 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 13 candidates 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 United States House of Representatives, and plans to make additional endorsements of candidates this fall.
The newly-endorsed candidates for the United States Senate include:
- Russ Feingold (WI)
- Attorney General Kamala Harris (CA)
- Patty Judge (IA)
- Senator Patty Murray (WA)
- Deborah Ross (NC)
- Congressman Chris Van Hollen (MD)
ARS PAC had previously announced its endorsement of the following Senate candidates: Senator Michael Bennet (CO); Congressman Patrick Murphy (FL); Senator Mark Kirk (IL); Governor Maggie Hassan (NH); Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto (NV); Ted Strickland (OH); and Senator Pat Toomey (PA).
The newly-endorsed candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives include:
- Congressman Ami Bera (CA-07)
- Tom O’Halleran (AZ-01)
- Jim Mowrer (IA-03)
- Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (CT-05)
- Congresswoman Kathleen Rice (NY-04)
- Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52)
ARS PAC had previously endorsed 19 candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives. Read the full list here.
“We need more leaders in Washington who will stand up for the Vocal Majority of Americans who want responsible change that combats our national gun violence crisis and saves lives,” said ARS PAC Co-Founders Congresswoman Giffords and Captain Kelly. “Each of these leaders will be a strong voice for commonsense change in Congress and will stand up to the Washington gun lobby that has worked to protect a dangerous status quo. We are proud to support them as our Champions for the Vocal Majority and look forward to having them as strong, badly-needed voices for responsibility in Washington.”
Along with its endorsements of its 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 PAC is also working to hold candidates in the gun lobby’s grip accountable, including Senator Kelly Ayotte in the New Hampshire Senate race.
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 events a total of 16 events in Florida, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, the Vocal Majority Tour and Congresswoman Giffords travel to Portland, Maine this week. Follow the Vocal Majority Tour at: www.TheVocalMajority.com.