Alliance for Gun Responsibility Victory Fund endorses 29 candidates in 2019 general elections

SEATTLE, WA – Today, the Alliance for Gun Responsibility Victory Fund announced its endorsement of 29 candidates for the 2019 general election. These candidates join the 27 candidates previously endorsed by the Victory Fund during the primary election who advanced to the general. All but one candidate endorsed by the Victory Fund during the primary has advanced to the general election.

“Gun violence prevention can and should happen at every level of government,” said Renée Hopkins, CEO of the Alliance for Gun Responsibility. “In the primary, voters showed that they want leaders who will prioritize gun responsibility by supporting Alliance-endorsed candidates across the board. Leadership at the local level is crucial to ensuring that our laws are effectively implemented and that research and community-based programs are adequately funded.”

The Victory Fund is committed to providing accurate information to the public and our supporters about candidate positions on gun violence prevention. The Alliance has set a high-bar for receiving endorsement, historically awarding only sole endorsements in races and endorsing champions not just supporters. Candidates were asked to complete a questionnaire and participate in an interview with Victory Fund staff before receiving an endorsement.

“We are thrilled to have had more candidates than ever before seek our endorsement and recognize that gun responsibility is a winning issue,” said Stephanie Ervin, Political Director at the Alliance for Gun Responsibility Victory Fund. “It is encouraging to see candidates at every level finally catching up to the people of Washington and demanding action on gun violence prevention.”

The full list of endorsed candidates is:

• Girmay Zahilay, King County Council, District 2
• Alex Pedersen, Seattle City Council, District 4
• Shaun Scott, Seattle City Council, District 4
• Chandra Hampson, Seattle School Board, District 3
• James Bible, Bellevue City Council, District 7
• Beth Hartsoch, Bellingham City Council, District 1
• April Barker, Bellingham Mayor
• Kevin Schilling, Burien City Council, District 4
• Taniesha Lyons, Clover Park School Board, District 4
• Diane Buckshnis, Edmonds City Council, District 4
• Liz Vogeli, Everett City Council, District 4
• Joseph Erikson, Everett City Council, District 5
• Brenda Stonecipher, Everett City Council, District 6
• April Berg, Everett School Board, District 2
• Bryan Yambe, Fife City Council, At-Large
• Linda Farmer, Lakewood City Council, District 6
• Dave Rosenbaum, Mercer Island City Council, District 1
• Craig Reynolds, Mercer Island City Council, District 5
• Patrick Allcorn, Mercer Island City Council, District 4
• Debbie Bertlin, Mercer Island City Council, District 7
• Varisha Khan, Redmond City Council, District 1
• Marcie Maxwell, Redmond Mayor
• Damiana Merryweather, SeaTac City Council, District 3
• Mohamed Ali Egal, SeaTac City Council, District 7
• Megan Dunn, Snohomish County Council, District 2
• Nikki Lockwood, Spokane School Board, District 1
• Jenny Slagle, Spokane School Board, District 2
• Erin Georgen, Spokane School Board, District 4
• Nathe Lawver, Tacoma City Council, District 1

More information about the reason for each endorsement and our full list of endorsed candidates can be found here.