Candidates Proudly Running on Gun Safety
To: Interested Parties
From: Giffords: Courage to Fight Gun Violence
Date: May 31, 2018
Re: Candidates Proudly Running on Gun Safety
Every election, candidates will try and outdo one another to show they are fighting for the issues voters care about. In other years, gun safety has remained in the background. That’s changed in 2018. Young Americans have joined with others to spark a movement with an eye toward November.
They are part of a majority of Americans who want to see laws passed to make our nation more safe. And who are increasingly not willing to take inaction for an answer. The common refrain you hear is Vote Them Out. Who will take their place? Candidates across the country are trying to show they can step up to be gun safety champions. We see clear evidence of that in the sheer number of advertisements campaigns are spending money for to be up on the airwaves.
Below you’ll find a sampling of TV advertisements we’ve seen since March. Candidates are speaking up wanting voters to know they are engaged on gun safety. The variety and quantity is something we haven’t seen before. If you want to talk more about this trend, please reach out directly.
Check out this round-up of television ads candidates are running that showcase their support for gun safety:
California
Hans Keirstead is running for United States Congress to represent California’s 48th district.
“It’s time government [uses]…science to tackle gun violence and ban assault weapons.” [Released: May 31, 2018]
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Sara Jacobs is running for United States Congress to represent California’s 49th district.
“Now she’s running for Congress to make change happen, again. Universal health care. Stronger gun laws. We can do it. If we take the energy out there and bring it in here.” [Released: April 18, 2018]
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Gavin Newsom is running for Governor of California.
“Gavin Newsom took on the gun lobby…and won.” [Released: April 23, 2018]
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“Our country is at a crossroads. Our children are demanding we stop America’s gun violence epidemic.” [Released: May 7, 2018]
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Jeff Bleich is running for Lieutenant Governor of California.
“He tops the charts on progressive charges…defending gay rights and gun control.” [Released: May 7, 2018]
Colorado
Cary Kennedy is running for Governor of Colorado
“We have to keep our schools gun-free.” [Released: May 9, 2018]
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Jared Polis is running for Governor of Colorado.
“In Congress I’ve taken on the NRA from Day 1.” [Released: May 1, 2018]
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Mike Johnston is running for Governor of Colorado.
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“I’m not afraid of the NRA. I wasn’t afraid of them then and I’m not afraid of them now. What I am afraid of is this country presiding over more funerals for fourteen-year-olds. And that is something I’m not willing to answer for.” [Released: May 3, 2018]
Florida
Philip Levine is running for Governor of Florida
“I’m Philip Levine, and I’m running for Governor because I’m a parent who will not stop at anything until we make our gun laws stronger and our children safe.” [Released: March 13, 2018]
Georgia
Stacey Abrams is running for Governor of Georgia.
“As Governor, Abrams will fight to keep children safe from guns.” [Released: May 11, 2018]
Illinois
Dan Lipinski is running for United States Congress to represent Illinois’ 3rd district.
“Lipinski votes against Donald Trump again, again, and again.” [Released: March 7, 2018]
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Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz is running an open seat in the Illinois House of Representatives in the 17th District.
“She’ll stand up to Donald Trump and the NRA to fight for common sense gun laws, like background checks and banning assault weapons. Jennifer Gong Gershowitz. Tough. Independent. A fighter for us.” [Released: March 15, 2018]
Iowa
Cathy Glasson is running for Governor of Iowa
“I can’t vote for universal background checks or a ban on assault rifles…I’m not old enough to vote for Cathy Glasson for Governor. But you can. We need you to.” [Released: May 17, 2018]
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“It’s time for universal background checks and a ban on assault rifles.” [Released: May 23, 2018]
Maine
Adam Cole is running for Governor of Maine.
“As a veteran, gun owner, hunter and father, there’s nothing more painful than seeing nothing happen every time there’s a mass shooting. Especially in our schools.” [Released: May 29, 2018]
Maryland
Aruna Miller is running for United States Congress to represent Maryland’s 6th district.
“Aruna Miller…strictest gun safety laws.” [Released: May 29, 2018]
New Mexico
Antoinette Sedillo Lopez is running for United States Congress to represent New Mexico’s 1st district.
“We can count on her…to stand up to the NRA.” [Released: May 11, 2018]
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“[Antoinette Sedillo Lopez] is ready to stand up to Donald Trump by]…taking on the NRA to protect our families.” [Released: May 29, 2018]
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Damon Martinez is running for United States Congress to represent New Mexico’s 1st district.
“Donald Trump fired New Mexico’s U.S. Attorney Damon Martinez because…he took assault weapons off the streets.” [Released: May 2, 2018]
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Garrett Veneklasen is running for New Mexico Land Commissioner.
“[George Munoz’s] earned an A+ from the NRA.” [Released: May 8, 2018]
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Stephanie Garcia-Richard is running for New Mexico Land Commissioner.
“I stood up against the NRA and out-of-state special interests.” [Released: April 19, 2018]
Nevada
Chris Guinchigliani is running for Governor of Nevada.
“Chris Guinchigliani will fight for gun background checks.” [Released: April 25, 2018]
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“The NRA gave Sisolak an A-.” [Released: May 4, 2018]
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“[Steve Sisolak] got an A-rating from the NRA.” [Released: May 22, 2018]
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Steve Sisolak is running for Governor of Nevada.
“Money won’t stop the next massacre. Not when Donald Trump protects the NRA and Adam Laxalt won’t enforce background checks. When I’m governor we’re going to ban assault rifles, bump stocks, silencers. We need to take action.” [Released: April 19, 2018]
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“I was at the concert site after 1 October, and I’m determined to fix our gun laws.” [Released: May 3, 2018]
New York
Antonio Delgado is running for United States Congress to represent New York’s 19th district.
“Representative Faso is listening to the NRA, and taking their money and not listening to us.” [Released: May 9, 2018]
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Pat Ryan is running for United States Congress to represent New York’s 19th district.
“If our children are going up against [assault rifles], they should have the same protection we give our soldiers. Or we can just get rid of assault rifles. What makes more sense to you?” [Released: May 16, 2018]
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“The NRA is an embarrassment, and the weapons I used in Iraq have no business on our streets. [Released: May 30, 2018]
Pennsylvania
Madeleine Dean is running for United States Congress to represent Pennsylvania’s 4th district.
“Mad is leading the vote to reduce gun violence.” [Released: April 30, 2018]
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Mary Gay Scanlon is running for United States Congress to represent Pennsylvania’s 5th district.
“I want to fight for Planned Parenthood and against the NRA.” [Released: April 19, 2018]
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“Mary Gay Scanlon is a fighter. She’s fought the NRA…she’ll fight for us.” [Released: May 2, 2018]
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George Scott is running for United States Congress to represent Pennsylvania’s 10th district.
“I’m a veteran, a pastor, and a Democrat who believes in common sense and not blind loyalty. Like gun safety to better protect our children and our communities.” [Released: April 27, 2018]
Texas
Joseph Kopser is running for United States Congress to represent Texas’ 21st district.
“I’ll take on the gun lobby to pass common sense gun safety laws.” [Released: May 10, 2018]
Virginia
Abigail Spanberger is running for United States Congress to represent Virginia’s 7th district.
“Keeping our kids safe from gun violence, we can stand by our values and work together to get things done.” [Released: May 9, 2018]
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Dan Ward is running for United States Congress to represent Virginia’s 7th district.
“As a Marine Corps veteran, I’ve seen the damage assault weapons can inflict. As a father, I know that these weapons have a place in our communities.” [Released: May 9, 2018]
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Alison Friedman is running for United States Congress to represent Virginia’s 10th district.
“We can stand up to the NRA and make our schools safer by expanding background checks, closing gun show loopholes, and banning assault weapons.” [Released: May 9, 2018]
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Dan Helmer is running for United States Congress to represent Virginia’s 10th district.
“I’ll fight the gun lobby to protect children, not guns.” [Released: May 30, 2018]
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Jennifer Wexton is running for United States Congress to represent Virginia’s 10th district.
“Running for Congress to close to Washington makes it easier to show them what I’ve fought for as Virginia State Senator like universal background checks for gun purchases…In Congress, I’ll work to ban bump stocks and high-capacity magazines. [Released: May 29, 218]
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Giffords is a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives from gun violence. Led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and her husband, Navy combat veteran and retired NASA astronaut Captain Mark Kelly, Giffords inspires the courage of people from all walks of life to make America safer.