39 legislative candidates receive endorsements and support for gun violence prevention

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Seattle, WA – The Alliance for Gun Responsibility Victory Fund today announced its endorsements for the 2016 Washington Legislature primary election on August 2. Thirty-nine candidates were endorsed for the primary election, 30 of whom will receive contributions between $500 and $1,000, the statutory maximum, this week. The Victory Fund will release general election endorsements and make additional commitments of support before the November 8 general election.

On gun-related policies, political endorsements and contributions in Washington have historically been dominated by the National Rifle Association and Gun Owners Action League of Washington. This is the second year that the Alliance for Gun Responsibility has endorsed candidates who actively support stronger, common-sense gun laws, the first organization in Washington to do so. This new dynamic in Washington is reflected in events at the national level, where responsible gun laws have become a major theme in the Presidential political debate.

The Alliance for Gun Responsibility based their endorsements on legislators’ and candidates’ commitment to gun violence prevention and efforts to champion stronger gun laws in Washington State. Each endorsed candidate has endorsed this year’s Initiative 1491, sponsored by the Alliance for Gun Responsibility, which will give families and law enforcement a legal tool to prevent those who are a danger to themselves or others from accessing firearms.

“We’re so excited to endorse this group of candidates and to continue to build a strong coalition of legislative champions to reduce gun violence in Washington state,” said Alliance for Gun Responsibility Executive Director Renée Hopkins. “This is only the second year that we’ve made endorsements and the response from both legislators and voters has been overwhelming. There are a lot of responsible legislators who want to take action on this issue. Voters also clearly support common-sense, responsible gun laws—Initiative 594, which closed the background check loophole—passed in 2014 with nearly 60% voter support. Thousands of people went to Olympia this year, and tens of thousands made calls and wrote emails to their legislators for stronger gun laws. This is an issue candidates will want and need to campaign on this year.”

 

Candidates endorsed in the 2016 primary election are:

Members of the Washington Senate:

Senator Andy Billig
Senator Reuven Carlyle
Senator Mark Mullet
Senator Jamie Pedersen

 

Members of the House of Representatives:

Rep. Sherry Appleton
Rep. Frank Chopp
Rep. Judy Clibborn
Rep. Eileen Cody
Rep. Jessyn Farrell
Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon
Rep. Noel Frame
Rep. Roger Goodman
Rep. Drew Hansen
Rep. Zack Hudgins
Rep. Laurie Jinkins
Rep. Ruth Kagi
Rep. Christine Kilduff
Rep. Patty Kuderer
Rep. Kristine Lytton
Rep. Timm Ormsby
Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self
Rep. Strom Peterson
Rep. Gerry Pollet
Rep. Marcus Riccelli
Rep. June Robinson
Rep. Tana Senn
Rep. Larry Springer
Rep. Derek Stanford
Rep. Gael Tarleton

 

Non-Incumbent Candidates:
Mike Chapman (LD 24)
Michelle Chatterton (LD 25)
Sam Hunt (Senate)
Shelley Kloba (LD 1)
Matt Larson (LD 5)
Mari Leavitt (LD 28)
Marissa Peloquin (LD 28)
Tim Probst (Senate)
Jason Ritchie (LD5)
Randy Spitzer (LD26)

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About Initiative Measure No. 1491

Initiative 1491 is a 2016 Washington State Initiative to allow family members and law enforcement to petition a judge to temporarily suspend a person’s access to firearms if there is documented evidence that the person poses a serious threat to themselves or others. Family members and law enforcement are often in the best position to see the warning signs of violence and, by creating Extreme Risk Protection Orders, Initiative 1491 will give them a tool to prevent a tragedy before it happens. Learn more at: https://gunresponsibility.org/solution/extreme-risk-protection-orders/

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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