RELEASE: Giffords Endorses Chris Hunter, Donna Shalala, and Nancy Soderberg for Congress in Florida
Washington, DC — Giffords, the gun safety organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and Captain Mark Kelly, announced its endorsement of Chris Hunter in Florida’s 12th congressional district , Donna Shalala in Florida’s 27th congressional district , and Nancy Soderberg in Florida’s sixth congressional district.
“This year, voters are demanding leaders who offer more than thoughts and prayers when it comes to gun violence. They’re no longer willing to accept politicians who can’t imagine a world where schools, workplaces, churches, and communities are safe places, where our children don’t have to live in fear. The level of gun violence we experience in our country is not normal and thankfully, we finally have leaders running for office who have the courage to fight to finally address it,” said Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, co-founder of Giffords. “Voters are ready to elect Chris Hunter, Donna Shalala, and Nancy Soderbergbecause they will always put protecting their communities over helping the gun lobby make a profit. Giffords is proud to endorse them for Congress because they will never stop fighting for what’s right.”
- Chris Hunter has served our country as an FBI agent and federal prosecutor. Through investigating and prosecuting criminals who used firearms to further their crime schemes, he has seen how gun violence impacts communities, families, and the law enforcement agents and officers who protect us all.. As a gun owner, Chris knows that we can respect the Second Amendment while also fighting for lifesaving gun safety measures like requiring background checks on all gun sales and preventing individuals listed on the terrorist watch list from getting their hands on firearms.
- Donna Shalala previously served as the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as the president of the University of Miami. A fierce advocate for the well-being of others her entire career, Donna played a role in the 1994 passage of the federal assault weapon ban. In Congress, Donna will be a strong supporter of expanding background checks, restarting federal funding for gun violence research, and cracking down on gun trafficking.
- Nancy Soderberg is a proven leader with the courage to stand up to the gun lobby. As a former member of the National Security Council, she understands what it takes to keep our communities safe. Nancy is running for Congress on a platform that includes requiring a background check for all gun sales and closing loopholes that allow domestic abusers and stalkers to get their hands on firearms.
Giffords’ #VoteCourage campaign aims to elect gun safety advocates to Congress and defeat politicians who have historically worked against gun reform, or done nothing at all to prevent gun violence. The political program targets incumbents in mostly suburban districts and uses a mixture of TV and digital advertising, on-the-ground organizing, and a voter registration push to create momentum for meaningful progress on gun safety. Learn More about the Giffords 2018 political program here.