Giffords Endorses Five Candidates Running to Grow the House Gun Safety Majority

These five candidates will bring a fresh perspective to Washington and a tested dedication to the gun safety movement

June 25, 2020— Giffords PAC, the gun violence prevention organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, endorsed five candidates for the US House of Representatives. The 116th House made historic progress passing lifesaving gun safety legislation such as HR 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019, and electing these candidates means growing the majority committed to keeping Americans safe from gun violence.

Statement from former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, co-founder of Giffords:

“Next year we know Congress will continue to set an example for the rest of Washington on how to defeat the gun lobby and pass gun safety laws. Each of these five candidates understands what’s at stake if we fail to end gun violence. They’ve made gun safety a campaign priority, and in Congress they won’t back down from the gun lobby’s attempts to make our less country secure. Giffords is proud to back this group of leaders so they can be a part of the gun safety majority committed to passing the laws that will better protect every community.”

Today’s Giffords Endorsements include:

Eugene DePasquale (PA-10) Eugene DePasquale has been serving as Pennsylvania’s Auditor General since 2013, and is currently running to represent Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District. DePasquale represented the 95th District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 2007 to 2013. In his role as Auditor General, DePasquale has made gun violence prevention a priority. He released a special report regarding firearm safety, and he has supported the general assembly’s extreme risk laws, which allow a judge to restrict the purchase or possession of firearms by a person who poses a danger to themself or others, at the petition of a family member. Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District can count on Eugene DePasquale to fight for commonsense laws to ensure gun safety.
Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03) Teresa Leger Fernandez is the Democratic nominee for New Mexico’s Third Congressional District. For 30 years, Leger Fernandez has run her own law firm focusing on affordable housing, Native American and Hispanic civil rights, and community development. In 2013, President Barack Obama appointed Leger Fernandez to serve as Vice Chair of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. Previously, she was appointed a White House Fellow by President Bill Clinton. Leger Fernandez supports the efforts of New Mexico’s legislature to enact gun safety measures, and believes it’s time to do the same nationally. She has been vocal in her commitment to requiring background checks on all gun sales, expanding extreme risk protection orders, closing the boyfriend loophole, and reinstating the assault weapons ban. Teresa Leger Fernandez is dedicated to putting the safety of her constituents first and will work tirelessly to prevent gun violence if elected to Congress.
Christina Hale (IN-05) Christina Hale is running to represent Indiana’s Fifth Congressional District. From 2012 to 2016, Hale served as a member of the Indiana House of Representatives, where she was able to pass over 60 bills with bipartisan support, despite being in the minority party. Hale has also worked as a nonprofit leader, focusing on community and economic development to improve the quality of life for people across the state of Indiana. Hale is dedicated to protecting the communities she serves, particularly from the epidemic of gun violence. Hale supports commonsense gun safety measures, including enacting universal background checks for all gun purchases. Christina Hale will fight for gun safety in order to ensure the well-being of her constituents.
Jill Schupp (MO-02) Jill Schupp is running to represent Missouri’s Second Congressional District. Prior to running for office, Schupp taught elementary school. After her two sons entered school, Schupp was called to serve on the local school board. Schupp continued her efforts to serve her community on the Creve Coeur City Council and eventually in the Missouri legislature. Throughout her time in public service, Schupp has proven to be an effective leader on gun violence prevention. In the state legislature, Schupp’s bills included requiring background checks on all firearm purchases, closing the boyfriend loophole, banning bump stocks, establishing extreme risk protection order laws, and requiring safe storage of firearms. Missouri’s Second Congressional District can be assured that Jill Schupp will fight gun violence to keep Missourians safe.
Pat Timmons-Goodson (NC-08) Pat Timmons-Goodson is running to represent North Carolina’s Eighth Congressional District. Before declaring her candidacy, Timmons-Goodson was a trailblazer in the legal field. At 29 years old, she became the first Black district court judge in the 12th District of North Carolina. She was the first Black woman to be nominated to the state’s court of appeals. From 2006 to 2009, she served as a judge for North Carolina’s Supreme Court, the first Black woman to do so. Timmons-Goodson currently serves as vice chair of the United States Commission on Civil Rights. Timmons-Goodson was also nominated by President Barack Obama to serve as a federal judge on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, a nomination that was blocked by Mitch McConnell. Pat Timmons-Goodson believes in preventing gun violence by passing measures to require background checks on all gun sales, close loopholes that allow domestic abusers to legally purchase and possess firearms, and fund community-based violence intervention programs. As an accomplished judge, she understands we can respect the Second Amendment while passing legislation to keep communities safe. North Carolinians can count on Pat Timmons-Goodson to protect them and prevent gun violence.