Giffords Endorses Dr. Hiral Tipirneni to Replace Trent Franks in Special Election for Arizona’s 8th Congressional District
February 21, 2018— Today, Giffords, the gun violence prevention organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and her husband, combat veteran and retired NASA astronaut Captain Mark Kelly, endorsed Dr. Hiral Tipirneni in the special election for the Arizona 8th Congressional District.
As an emergency room physician, Dr. Tipirneni has first hand knowledge of the devastation wrought by gun violence in Arizona communities. Her career as a doctor has given Dr. Tipirneni the expertise and courage needed to tackle the public health crisis of gun violence.
Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, Founder, Giffords:
“Strong women get things done, and Hiral is exactly the kind of strong woman Arizonans need representing them in Washington. From gun violence to healthcare, Dr. Tipirneni is a leader who is committed to putting the interests of Arizonans first. As gun violence continues to ravage communities – with schools, businesses, and places of worship being torn apart by mass shootings – Congress offers nothing but hollow ‘thoughts and prayers.’ But Hiral is offering solutions that will make Arizona communities safer. That’s why I’m enthusiastically endorsing her to represent my home state in the United States House of Representatives. The time has come for Americans to elect a new Congress with the courage to stand up to the gun lobby. Dr. Tipirneni is the candidate we need.”
Dr. Hiral Tipirneni, Candidate:
“I’ve seen the trauma, suffering and devastating loss of life from gun violence up close from my years in the ER. The destruction it causes to the victims, their families and communities is heartbreaking and, oftentimes, avoidable. We are the only industrialized nation with this degree of gun violence, and it should be addressed as the public health crisis that it is by using data-driven policies that actually make us safer. At the end of the day, supporting both the Second Amendment and commonsense gun safety reform is not mutually exclusive.”
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