Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund Supported Jocelyn Benson As Part of a $1 Million Investment in Secretaries of State Elections, Successfully Defeating Gun Lobby-Backed Kirstina Karamo
Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action Volunteers Made Over Six Million Voter Contacts to Support Gun Sense Candidates Across the Country
LANSING — Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund and its grassroots networks, Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, declared a major victory today as voters rejected gun lobby-backed Kristina Karamo and re-elected Jocelyn Benson as Michigan Secretary of State
“As Secretary of State, Jocelyn Benson has done everything in her power to safeguard democracy, which is essential to our work to put gun sense champions in positions of power,” said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. “Secretary of State Benson can count on our full support as she continues her work to safeguard free and fair elections in Michigan.”
“Secretary of State Benson acted with courage to help keep guns out of polling places and ensure every voter could safely make their voice heard, and our volunteers were proud to help re-elect her,” said Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action. “Secretaries of State have a unique role to play in safeguarding our democracy from the threat of armed extremism, and we’re proud that this gun sense champion will continue to lead the way in Michigan.”
“Re-electing Jocelyn Benson is an essential part of keeping guns out of our classrooms and polling places,” said Lindsay Warren, a volunteer with the Michigan chapter of Moms Demand Action. “We will be behind Secretary of State Benson every step of the way as she keeps our families and communities safe and protects our democracy.”
Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund and Everytown for Gun Safety Victory Fund spent more than $1 million in Secretary of State elections, including support for Secretary of State Benson. Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action volunteers made over six million voter contacts through phone calls, text messages, door knocks, and more across the country this election cycle to support gun sense candidates up and down the ballot.
As part of its efforts this election cycle, Everytown also released polling this fall showing that the vast majority of voters in Michigan support common-sense gun safety laws, including 93% support for background checks on all gun sales. More information is available here.
Read more about Everytown’s electoral engagement in Michigan this cycle here and Everytown’s engagement in Secretary of State elections here.