August 2, 2017 In the News

Strong 2017 Primary Election Results for Gun Violence Prevention Movement

Seven of Eight Gun Responsibility Candidates Advance to the General Election, Including Manka Dhingra for the Contested State Senate Seat in the 45th Legislative District

Seattle Mayoral Primary Election Results Too Early To Call

Seattle, WA—Tonight, the Alliance for Gun Responsibility celebrated as nearly all gun responsibility candidates at the state, county and municipal level advanced to the general election, highlighted by Manka Dhingra, a King County senior deputy prosecutor who is running for an open State Senate seat in the 45th Legislative District. The primary election results show a strong result for Dhingra, with an almost eight percentage point lead.

“Manka Dhingra is one of the strongest gun responsibility candidates in the state of Washington and we are thrilled to see her advance to the general election,” said Renée Hopkins, CEO of the Alliance for Gun Responsibility. “Manka is the only candidate with a proven track record of taking on gun violence, and a commitment to lead on gun responsibility in the Senate. Voters in the 45th Legislative District face a clear choice between Manka Dinghra and an opponent who has refused to take a stance on gun issues, despite a career working for pro-gun lobby politicians and causes.”

Dhingra, who was endorsed by the Alliance in June, has served in the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s office as the deputy and senior deputy prosecuting attorney for 16 years. The special election in the 45th Legislative District will determine control of the Washington State Senate, making it the only race in the United States with the potential to change control of a legislative chamber. This year, the Republican-controlled state Senate failed to hold hearings on numerous commonsense, widely-supported gun responsibility policies, including bills to raise the age limit to purchase assault weapons to 21 and to keep firearms out of the hands of children and prohibited individuals.

“Voters in the 45th Legislative District– and across Washington– have made it clear that stronger, commonsense gun responsibility laws are needed for peace of mind and stronger communities,” said Dhingra. “These issues are personal for me. I’ve spent my career working to protect victims of domestic violence, and seeking treatment and support for people struggling with mental illness. Organizations like the Alliance are critical to helping build grass roots power to help advance legislation, and make sure we have leaders in our state willing to stand up for safety and well being.”
Six other gun responsibility candidates endorsed by the Victory Fund also advanced to the general election, including Dow Constantine for King County Executive, Lorena Gonzalez for Seattle City Council, Pete Holmes for Seattle City Attorney, Senator Patty Kuderer, Senator Rebecca Saldana and Representative Vandana Slatter.

The Victory Fund also endorsed gun responsibility champion Jessyn Farrell for Seattle mayor, but the primary election results of that race are too early to call.

“With thousands of votes still to count in the primary race for Seattle mayor, we’re looking forward to a spirited conversation in the general election about how Seattle can continue to lead the nation on gun violence prevention,” said Hopkins. “Washington voters once again showed that gun responsibility is a major issue they care about and consistently turn out at the polls to support. We are thrilled to see so many candidates advance to the general election who approach gun violence as a public health and safety issue.”

You can see all the Alliance’s 2017 endorsements here.

In 2016, Victory Fund endorsements supported the successful election of over 40 candidates, many who ran on gun responsibility issues. The Victory Fund endorsed 31 incumbent legislators and Governor Inslee for re-election and eight candidates, who won in open seat elections in 2016. The fund also endorsed two candidates who successfully beat incumbents: Senator Lisa Wellman in the 41st legislative district and Representative Kristine Reeves, who now serves the 30th legislative district.

 

About the Alliance for Gun Responsibility

The Alliance for Gun Responsibility works to end the gun violence crisis in our community and to promote a culture of gun ownership that balances rights with responsibilities. Through collaboration with experts, civic leaders, and citizens, we work to find evidenced-based solutions to the crisis of gun violence in our community. We create innovative policy, advocate for changes in laws, and promote community education to reduce gun violence. Learn more at www.gunresponsibility.org and follow us at @WAGunResponsib.