TAR HEEL SLATE: Giffords Endorses in North Carolina Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General Races

August 6, 2020 — Giffords PAC, the gun violence prevention organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, today endorsed North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and Attorney General Josh Stein for reelection and Yvonne Lewis Holley for Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina.

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

“The country’s gun violence crisis continues to hurt families across North Carolina. But in the face of a collective cry for action from North Carolinians, the state legislature remains silent, more concerned with following the gun lobby’s lead. Leaders like Roy Cooper, Yvonne Lewis Holley, and Josh Stein have instead stepped up to fight for the reforms that can save lives, and Giffords is proud to endorse them as they fight for gun safety in the Tar Heel State.”

Today’s Giffords Endorsements include:

Roy Cooper (NC-Gov): Roy Cooper has been governor of North Carolina since 2017 and is seeking reelection this year. Cooper was born and raised in North Carolina and received his both undergraduate and law degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 1987 Cooper started his first term in the North Carolina House of Representatives, where he served for four years. He joined the North Carolina State Senate in 1991 and held his seat for ten years, including four years as the Democratic Senate Majority Leader. Before becoming governor, Cooper defended North Carolinians as the state’s attorney general for three terms. Throughout his impressive career in public service, Governor Cooper has consistently fought for gun safety policies to protect the lives of North Carolinians. A gun owner himself, he understands that commonsense gun reform does not conflict with the Second Amendment. As governor, he signed an executive directive to strengthen North Carolina’s background check system and continues to work to strengthen North Carolina’s laws to prevent gun violence. Governor Cooper has urged legislators to pass lifesaving laws, including enacting extreme risk protection orders and closing the boyfriend loophole. The governor also supports restrictions on large-capacity magazines and requiring a permit for certain gun purchases. Roy Cooper has proven that he has the courage to stand up to the gun lobby and will continue to do so if reelected as governor.

Yvonne Lewis Holley (NC-LG): Representative Yvonne Lewis Holley currently serves North Carolina’s 38th District and is running to be the lieutenant governor of North Carolina. Born and raised in North Carolina, Holley was educated in the Wake County Public School System and was one of the first students at the then newly desegregated Enloe High School. Upon graduating from Howard University, she began a career in public service, focused on education, health, economics, youth development, and political advocacy. Holley was a dedicated state government employee for 25 years prior to being elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives in 2012. Representative Holley has proven to be a fearless gun safety advocate throughout her years in public service. She is a strong supporter of policies that would prevent gun violence, including universal background checks, extreme protection orders, and restrictions on large-capacity magazines. During her tenure in the North Carolina House of Representatives, she sponsored gun safety legislation, including a bill to establish a commission to study youth gun violence. As lieutenant governor, Yvonne Lewis Holley will continue fighting for the safety of all North Carolinians.

Josh Stein (NC-AG): Josh Stein is the attorney general of North Carolina and is seeking reelection. Stein received his undergraduate degree from Dartmoth and his JD and MPP from Harvard prior to working in politics, education, and real estate. Stein then went on to represent North Carolina’s 16th Legislative District in the North Carolina State Senate for eight years. After serving in the North Carolina legislature, he was elected attorney general in 2016. Throughout his career in public service, Stein has been a strong advocate for gun violence prevention. As attorney general, he joined a federal lawsuit to prevent the online release of 3D-printed firearm blueprints used to manufacture undetectable, untraceable “ghost guns.” During his time at the North Carolina legislature, he voted against dangerous gun lobby bills, including measures that would have loosened regulation of silencers and concealed carry requirements. Josh Stein will continue to prioritize the safety of North Carolinians as attorney general.