More than One Hundred Twenty-Five Newly Elected Volunteers Join Growing Ranks of Moms Demand Action Volunteers Elected to Office Since Its Founding in 2012, Part of 275+ Volunteers who Ran for Office This Cycle
Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action Volunteers Made Over Six Million Voter Contacts to Support Gun Sense Candidates Across the Country
PORTLAND – With votes still being counted in many parts of the state, Oregonians have already elected nine Moms Demand Action volunteers for office up and down the ballot in the midterm elections, highlighting the political power of Moms Demand Action volunteers as candidates for office themselves and the importance of gun safety for voters.
“Oregon Moms Demand Action volunteers helped make history this election in helping pass Ballot Measure 114 and in electing Gun Sense Champions up and down the ballot, including nine of our own volunteers,” said Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action. “This will help us build on the incredible progress we’ve made over the years in Oregon and continue to save lives from gun violence.”
“After helping countless gun sense candidates win their races, these Oregon volunteers took matters into their own hands and made the leap to elected office,” said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. “These gun sense champions can count on Everytown’s full support as they push for lifesaving laws in Salem, just as we’ve counted on their support to build a nationwide movement that is only growing stronger.”
“Moms have been touring throughout our state united in a winning message to stop gun violence once and for all,” said Brandy Steelhammer, a volunteer with the Oregon chapter of Moms Demand Action. “We are extremely grateful for fellow volunteers stepping up and running for office. We look forward to working with them to promote gun safety policies and make Oregon the national leader in the fight against gun violence.”
Everytown-endorsed Moms Demand Action volunteers who won their races Tuesday in Oregon include:
- Dacia Grayber – State Representative, OR-HD-028
- Maxine Dexter – State Representative, OR-HD-033
- Dr. Lisa Reynolds – State Representative, OR-HD-034
- Courtney Neron – State Representative, OR-HD-026
- Janeen Sollman — State Senator, OR-SD-15
- Deb Patterson — State Senator, OR-SD 10
- Melanie Kebler – Mayor, Mayor of Bend, Oregon
- Beach Pace – City Council, Hillsboro City Council Ward 1 Seat A
- Bridget Brooks – City Council, Tualatin City Commission Position 3
Last year, Everytown for Gun Safety Victory Fund launched “Demand a Seat,” a program to train grassroots volunteers and gun violence survivors to take the next step in their advocacy efforts by running for office and working on campaigns to elect gun sense candidates. The program invested $3 million in educational training and mentorship opportunities for grassroots volunteers considering campaigns at the local, state, and federal levels. More information on Demand a Seat can be found here.
Since 2017, hundreds of Moms Demand Action volunteer leaders have run for elected office and dozens have won seats – from town council and school board to U.S. Congress.