HARTFORD, Conn. – Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund and the Connecticut chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America today declared victory as gun sense candidates Sen. Chris Murphy and Rep. Jim Himes won their re-election bids and Jahana Hayes won her race to represent Connecticut’s 5th Congressional District. All three candidates were endorsed by Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund.
Following the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook School in 2012, Sen. Murphy has been a champion for efforts to pass meaningful gun violence prevention legislation in Washington and Rep. Himes has consistently stood up for gun safety during his tenure in the House of Representatives. Jahana Hayes has made gun violence prevention a central pillar of her campaign to represent Connecticut’s 5th Congressional District, which includes Sandy Hook.
“Today, Connecticut honored the victims and survivors of gun violence by electing gun safety champions Sen. Chris Murphy, Rep. Jim Himes and Jahana Hayes,” said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. “They will do everything in their power to ensure that Connecticut remains at the forefront of America’s growing gun sense movement.”
“We in Connecticut know the toll of gun violence all too well,” said Abbey Clements, a volunteer with the Connecticut chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America who was a teacher at Sandy Hook School and survived the shooting in 2012. “After the shooting at Sandy Hook, our community and our state were devastated, but we knew we had to act to stop senseless gun violence. We look forward to seeing these federal leaders take meaningful action to prevent tragedies like what we experienced nearly six years ago.”
“I’m thrilled to see these gun sense candidates win in Connecticut,” said Kara Baekey, a volunteer with the Connecticut chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. “I am heartened that we’re sending leaders to Capitol Hill who are committed to working hard to keep our families safe.”
Leading up to the midterm election, Everytown and Moms Demand Action volunteers in Connecticut had more than 3,000 conversations at doors and 32,000 conversations during phone calls for gun sense candidates.