More Candidates Sought an Alliance Endorsement in 2018 Than Ever Before

The Alliance Endorsed Incumbents and Challengers in Legislative and Municipal Races and Endorsed in Federal Races for the First Time

Seattle, WA – The Alliance for Gun Responsibility Victory Fund today announced its primary endorsements for the 2018 midterm elections. More candidates sought an endorsement from the Alliance than ever before.

“Gun responsibility is a consensus viewpoint in our state and Washingtonians deserve a gun responsibility majority that reflects their views,” said Renée Hopkins, CEO of the Alliance for Gun Responsibility. “The best way to strengthen our gun laws, is by electing more leaders who listen to their communities and support policies that we know will save lives. The need for a gun responsibility majority became even more clear during the 2018 legislative session. It’s no longer enough to just vote in favor of gun responsibility bills. Washingtonians need leaders who will champion these policies and push to ensure they get hearings and floor votes, and ultimately become law.”

The Victory Fund endorsed several long-time gun responsibility incumbents with proven track records in the Legislature, including Jamie Pedersen (D-43), David Frockt (D-46), Patty Kuderer (D-48), Laurie Jinkins (D-27), Christine Kilduff (D-28) and Tana Senn (D-4). More information about these gun responsibility champions can be found in the Alliance’s 2018 Legislative Scorecard.

The Victory Fund also endorsed candidates in open seats and contested races where there is a clear gun responsibility advocate, including Emily Randall (D-26), Bill Ramos (D-5), Joe Fain (R-47) and Melanie Morgan (D-29). Randall and Ramos are progressive candidates running in seats recently vacated by legislators who were opposed to strengthening any gun laws. Fain has demonstrated leadership and determination to build bridges on violence prevention and Morgan is a local school board member and a strong advocate for her community.

“Change happens at every level. That’s why it is one of our top priorities to elect more gun responsibility leaders across the state than ever before. We need more advocates in office to pass meaningful gun legislation and ensure those laws are implemented effectively,” said Hopkins.

The Victory Fund also endorsed in two local races, pledging support for King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg who is running for reelection and Adam Cornell, who is running for Snohomish County prosecutor. Satterberg is a longtime gun responsibility champion and was instrumental in securing funding and support for the Seattle-King County firearm surrender unit in 2017. Cornell has supported local and state-level efforts to keep guns out of dangerous hands. He has testified in Olympia multiple times and is a frequent public speaker about the importance of limiting easy access to firearms.

The Alliance Federal Victory Fund endorsed eight candidates running for U.S. Congress, including Lisa Brown in the fifth Congressional District. Brown is running against incumbent Cathy McMorris Rodgers who has consistently been supported and funded by the NRA and the gun lobby. Brown spent 20 years in the Legislature before stepping away to lead the health campus as the chancellor of WSU Spokane.

The Alliance will be making more endorsements for the 2018 primary and general election in the coming months. To see the full list of endorsed candidates in 2018, visit gunresponsibility.org.

In 2017, Victory Fund endorsements supported the successful election of 15 gun responsibility candidates in municipal and legislative races. It was the first year that the Victory Fund created a local candidate questionnaire and extended the invitation to local candidate offices around the state.

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.

 

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