Today, Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund and its grassroots networks, Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, released the following statements after gun sense candidates and gun safety champions won primary elections up and down the ballot in Idaho, North Carolina, Oregon, and Pennsylvania.
Nine Moms Demand Action volunteers will advance to general elections across the four states, including five in Oregon, showcasing the growing political power of Moms Demand Action volunteers. Additionally, at least 87% of elections that had a Moms Demand Gun Sense Candidate on the ballot yesterday, had a Gun Sense Candidate win.
“Last night’s primaries are further proof that voters want candidates who are on the right side of gun safety,” said Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action. “We congratulate the Moms Demand Action volunteers who are Demanding a Seat and advanced to general elections, as well as every Gun Sense Candidate on the ballot who will put public safety ahead of gun industry profits.”
“In recent years, gun safety has gone from a political third rail to a winning issue, and last night’s results are evidence that this shift is still going strong,” said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. “Our volunteers have spent years building coalitions and making change, which puts them in a great position as they head into the general election.”
Moms Demand Action volunteers who advanced to general elections last night include:
- Terri Pickens Manweiler, running for Idaho Lt. Governor
- Natasha Marcus, running for North Carolina’s 41st Senate District
- Christy Clark, running for North Carolina’s 98th House District
- Deb Patterson, running for Oregon’s 10th Senate District
- Courtney Neron, running for Oregon’s 26th House District
- Dacia Grayber, running for Oregon’s 28th House District
- Maxine Dexter, running for Oregon’s 33rd House District
- Lisa Reynolds, running for Oregon’s 34th House District
- Cathy Spahr, running for Pennsylvania’s 160th House District
Last night’s victories follow primary victories for Moms Demand Action volunteers running for office in Texas, Ohio, and Indiana as this growing political force takes the step from advocating for laws to writing them.
Last year, Everytown for Gun Safety Victory Fund launched “Demand a Seat,” a new program that trains volunteers and gun violence survivors to run for office and work on campaigns. The program will invest $3 million in educational training and mentorship opportunities for grassroots volunteers considering campaigns at the local, state, and federal levels. Since the launch of Demand a Seat, hundreds of people have expressed interest and more than 250 people have participated in the program from 41 states, including 120 gun violence survivors. More information on Demand a Seat can be found here.
