RELEASE: Giffords Endorses Matt Longjohn, Haley Stevens, and Rashida Tlaib for Congress in Michigan
Washington, DC — Giffords, the gun safety organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and Captain Mark Kelly, announced its endorsement of Matt Longjohn in Michigan’s sixth congressional district , Haley Stevens in Michigan’s 11th congressional district , and Rashida Tlaib in Michigan’s 13th 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 Matt Longjohn, Haley Stevens,and Rashida Tlaib because 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.”
- As a doctor and former National Health Officer for the YMCA, Matt Longjohn brings a unique voice to the fight against gun violence. He has authored peer-reviewed articles on gun violence prevention and has long advocated for the gun violence crisis to be treated as a public health issue. Matt is a firearm owner and comes from a military family. He knows that Congress can respect the Second Amendment while also taking action to expand background checks and restart federal research into gun violence.
- Haley Stevens has a proven track record of getting results for Michigan families. As chief of staff to the US Auto Rescue during the Great Recession, Haley played a critical role in saving over 200,000 Michigan jobs. Now she’s running for Congress to help build a future free from gun violence for Michigan communities. Haley supports federal funding for community-based intervention programs to prevent gun violence, as well as closing loopholes that allow convicted domestic abusers and stalkers to obtain firearms.
- The first Muslim woman to ever serve in the Michigan legislature, Rashida Tlaib is no stranger to breaking down seemingly insurmountable barriers. Rashida developed a reputation in the legislature for always putting the needs of her constituents first, and Michigan families can count on her to do the same in Congress. Rashida will fight for commonsense gun safety measures like expanded background checks and closing loopholes that allow dangerous individuals to get their hands on guns.
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.