Primary Endorsements: G-PAC, Giffords PAC, and Brady PAC Announce Gun Safety Candidates in Contested Races
Chicago — A coalition of gun violence prevention organizations announced their first set of endorsements of gun safety candidates who are running in the upcoming Illinois primary election on June 28.
The Gun Violence Prevention PAC (G-PAC), Giffords PAC and Brady PAC evaluated candidates by using G-PAC’s Gun Safety Report Card along with a rigorous questionnaire. The Gun Safety Report Card evaluated incumbents on their positions on 2021 legislation to ‘Block Illegal Ownership and Fix the FOID’, among others. The questionnaire also asked candidates about the recently passed measure to make ghost guns illegal, as well as other issues around large capacity magazines, assault weapons, and gun trafficking.
Current office holders were required to have scored an “A” or “B” on their Gun Safety Report Card to be considered for endorsement, and all candidates must have given strong responses, demonstrating their commitment to ending gun violence in our communities by supporting crucial legislation that will stop the flow of illegal guns into our state.
“Gun violence is a public health crisis that demands the undivided attention of our elected officials,” said Kathleen Sances, President and CEO of G-PAC, the state’s leading gun violence prevention organization. “To earn our endorsement, each candidate has demonstrated their commitment to ending gun violence and taking urgent action to make Illinois a safer state. G-PAC won’t sit by while tragic incidents of gun violence blanket the news. We are working every day to ensure our elected officials are living up to their word and advancing life-saving measures to protect our communities.”
“State legislatures are critical in keeping Americans safe from gun violence, and Illinois is a state that’s leading the fight. Illinois has some of the strongest gun laws in the nation, thanks in part to many of the leaders we’re proud to be endorsing today,” said former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. “These candidates understand the toll this epidemic takes on Illinois communities. What this country needs now more than ever are champions who will stop at nothing to end our nation’s gun violence crisis. Today, I am proud to stand behind these candidates who are ready to make the communities of Illinois safer for all.”
“State leaders are on the frontlines of keeping families and communities safe from gun violence,” shared Brady PAC Executive Director Jason Pressberg. “These candidates understand that important role and have demonstrated their commitment to preventing gun violence and strengthening Illinois’ common-sense gun laws. Brady PAC is proud to join G-PAC and Giffords in endorsing these leaders for election and we stand with them in the fight to stop this deadly public health crisis.”
G-PAC, Giffords PAC, and Brady PAC’s Primary Election Endorsements include:
Illinois House of Representatives:
- Sonya Harper, 6th District
- Sergio Mojica, 13th District*
- Eileen Dordek, 13th District*
- Hoan Huynh, 13th District*
- Mike Kelly, 15th District
- Kevin Olickal, 16th District
- Lindsey La Pointe, 19th District
- Mike Zalewski, 21st District
- Justin Slaughter, 27th District
- Thaddeus Jones, 29th District
- Nabeela Syed, 51st District*
- Chelsea Laliberte Barnes, 51st District*
- Laura Faver Dias, 62nd District*
- Thomas Maillard, 62nd District*
- Kathy Willis, 77th District
- Arad Boxenbaum, 83rd District*
- Karla Bailey-Smith, 91st District*
- Natalie Manley, 98th District
Illinois Senate:
- Javier Loera Cervantes, 1st District*
- Omar Aquino, 2nd District
- Robert Martwick, 10th District
- Celina Villanueva, 12th District
- La’mont Raymond Williams, 16th District*
- Sam Yingling, 31st District*
- Mary Edly-Allen, 31st District*
- Rachel Ventura, 43rd District*
Cook County Sheriff:
- Tom Dart
Cook County President:
- Toni Preckwinkle
Cook County Board of Commissioners:
- Dennis Deer, 2nd District
- Bill Lowry, 3rd District
- Vernard Alsberry, 5th District*
- Jaylin McClinton, 5th District*
- Donna Miller, 6th District
- Maggie Trevor, 9th District*
- Bridget Degnen, 12th District
- Josina Morita, 13th District*
- Scott Britton, 14th District
- Kevin Morrison, 15th District
- Frank Aguilar, 16th District
- Lou Gale, 17th District*
- Dan Calandriello, 17th District*
*Denotes a candidate running in an open seat
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Our experts can speak to the full spectrum of gun violence prevention issues. Have a question? Email us at media@giffords.org.
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