With health and safety top of mind, candidates across Washington state are prioritizing gun violence prevention in 2020

SEATTLE, WA – Today, the Alliance for Gun Responsibility Victory Fund announced its endorsement of 79 candidates for the 2020 primary election. A record number of candidates sought an endorsement from the Victory Fund this year, proving that even as armed protestors dominate headlines, the gun responsibility movement continues to grow in Washington state. 

“Coronavirus has upended daily life and increased the threat of gun violence in our communities,” said Renée Hopkins, CEO of the Alliance for Gun Responsibility. “Across the state, candidates are recognizing that prioritizing the health and safety of our communities must also include prioritizing gun violence prevention. That is as true during COVID-19 as ever. We need strong leaders at the local and federal level who will promote public education about the crisis of gun violence and ensure effective implementation of our gun safety laws through this uncertain time and beyond.”

The Victory Fund was established to build gun responsibility majorities in Olympia and at every level of government. Candidates were asked to complete a questionnaire and participate in an interview with Victory Fund staff before receiving an endorsement.

“We are proud to see that, in this unprecedented moment, more candidates than ever are realizing that gun violence prevention is not only an urgent issue, but a winning one,” said Stephanie Ervin, Political Director at the Alliance for Gun Responsibility Victory Fund. “Washingtonians have long recognized the need for action to prevent gun violence. We’re encouraged to see candidates joining the movement for gun safety.”

The full list of endorsed candidates is below:

Challengers and Candidates Seeking Open Seats

Statewide

• Rep. Gael Tarleton, Secretary of State
• Rep. Mike Pellicciotti, State Treasurer

State Senate 

• Helen Price Johnson, Legislative District 10, S
• Daniel Smith, Legislative District 17, S
• Julie Door, Legislative District 25, S
• T’wina Nobles, Legislative District 28, S

State House 

• Tanisha Harris, Legislative District 17, H1
• Donna Sinclair, Legislative District 18, H2
• Tarra Simmons, Legislative District 23, H1
• Jamie Smith, Legislative District 25, H2
• Carrie Hesch, Legislative District 26, H1
• Joy Stanford, Legislative District 26, H2
• Dan Bronoske, Legislative District 28, H2
• Jamila Taylor, Legislative District 30, H1
• Darcy Huffman, Legislative District 35, H2
• Liz Berry, Legislative District 36, H2
• Sarah Reyneveld, Legislative District 36, H2
• Alicia Rule, Legislative District 42, H1
• Satwinder Kaur, Legislative District 47, H2

Local

• Ryan Mello, Pierce County Council District 4
• Jani Hitchen, Pierce County Council District 6

Incumbents

Federal 

• Rep. Suzan DelBene, Congressional District 1
• Rep. Rick Larsen, Congressional District 2
• Rep. Derek Kilmer, Congressional District 6
• Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Congressional District 7
• Rep. Kim Schrier, Congressional District 8
• Rep. Adam Smith, Congressional District 9

Statewide 

• Governor Jay Inslee
• Attorney General Bob Ferguson
• Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal
• Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler

State Senate 

• Derek Stanford, Legislative District 1, S
• Andy Billig, Legislative District 3, S
• Bob Hasegawa, Legislative District 11, S
• Sam Hunt, Legislative District 22, S
• Christine Rolfes, Legislative District 23, S
• Kevin Van De Wege, Legislative District 24, S
• June Robinson, Legislative District 38, S
• Liz Lovelett, Legislative District 40, S
• Lisa Wellman, Legislative District 41, S
• Annette Cleveland, Legislative District 49, S

State House

• Davina Duerr, Legislative District 1, H1
• Shelley Kloba, Legislative District 1, H2
• Marcus Riccelli, Legislative District 3, H1
• Bill Ramos, Legislative District 5, H1
• Lisa Callan, Legislative District 5, H2
• Dave Paul, Legislative District 10, H2
• Steve Bergquist, Legislative District 11, H2
• Strom Peterson, Legislative District 21, H1
• Lillian Ortiz-Self, Legislative District 21, H2
• Laurie Dolan, Legislative District 22, H1
• Drew Hansen, Legislative District 23, H2
• Steve Tharinger, Legislative District 24, H2
• Laurie Jinkins, Legislative District 27, H1
• Jake Fey, Legislative District 27, H2
• Mari Leavitt, Legislative District 28, H1
• Melanie Morgan, Legislative District 29, H1
• Steve Kirby, Legislative District 29, H2
• Jesse Johnson, Legislative District 30, H2
• Lauren Davis, Legislative District 32, H2
• Mia Gregerson, Legislative District 33, H2
• Eileen Cody, Legislative District 34, H1
• Joe Fitzgibbon , Legislative District 34, H2
• Noel Frame, Legislative District 36, H1
• Sharon Tomiko Santos, Legislative District 37, H1
• Mike Sells, Legislative District 38, H2
• Debra Lekanoff, Legislative District 40, H1
• Alex Ramel, Legislative District 40, H2
• Tana Senn, Legislative District 41, H1
• Sharon Shewmake, Legislative District 42, H2
• Nicole Macri, Legislative District 43, H1
• Frank Chopp, Legislative District 43, H2
• John Lovick, Legislative District 44, H1
• Gerry Pollet, Legislative District 46, H1
• Javier Valdez, Legislative District 46, H2
• Debra Entenman, Legislative District 47, H1
• Vandana Slatter, Legislative District 48, H1
• Amy Walen, Legislative District 48, H2
• Sharon Wylie, Legislative District 49, H1

Last month, the Alliance for Gun Responsibility Federal Victory Fund issued its first-ever presidential endorsement for Vice President Joe Biden. The Victory Fund will likely issue additional endorsements before and after the primary in August. More information about the reason for each endorsement and our full list of endorsed candidates can be found here.

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