New TV Ads in TX-22: Everytown Victory Fund and House Majority PAC Launch $1.2 Million in TV Ads Targeting Troy Nehls

New TV Ads Slam Troy Nehls for Failing to Support Common-Sense Gun Laws and for Violating the Public Trust as Sheriff 

Gun Violence Prevention is One of The Most Persuasive Attacks On Republicans in Texas’ Political Battlegrounds, Polling Shows 

AUSTIN, Texas — Today, Everytown for Gun Safety Victory Fund (“Everytown Victory Fund”) and House Majority PAC unveiled new television ads against Troy Nehls, targeted towards voters in Texas’ 22nd congressional district. Everytown Victory Fund and House Majority PAC will be spending $1.2 million to run the TV ads in the Houston media market through the election.

One ad slams Troy Nehls, who is backed by the gun lobby, for opposing common-sense gun laws like background checks on all gun sales, even as Texas families have been devastated by gun violence, including four of the deadliest mass shootings in recent history. Another ad criticizes Nehls’ tenure as Fort Bend County Sheriff, during which time he falsified records, destroyed evidence, and was sued repeatedly for misconduct. 

WATCH THE ADS “REFUSES”AND “VIOLATED” 

“Troy Nehls’ record in public service is a disgrace, and his flagrant disregard for public trust and public safety shouldn’t be rewarded with a seat in Congress,” said Charlie Kelly, senior political advisor to Everytown Victory Fund. “From opposing stronger gun laws to violating his duties as a police officer, he has failed to stand up for the safety of Texas communities.”

“Troy Nehls has made it clear that he can’t be trusted to keep Texas families safe,” said Abby Curran Horrell, executive director of House Majority PAC. “With a disastrous record as a police officer and sheriff, including wrongful arrest and destroying evidence, Troy Nehls has made it clear he’s not capable of looking out for Texas families, and that’s why he’s running for Congress on a platform of representing the gun lobby and special interests in Washington.”

“There couldn’t be a clearer choice in this election,” said Swati Narayan, a volunteer with the Texas chapter of Moms Demand Action. “We have Troy Nehls, who utterly failed his community while holding public office, and Sri Preston Kulkarni, who has witnessed the toll of gun violence and will be a staunch advocate for stronger gun laws in Congress. 

Polling conducted by Schoen Consulting of voters in the Dallas and Houston areas affirms that gun safety is a winning issue for battleground voters. Highlights include:

• 76% of voters in Houston-area battleground districts say a candidate’s position on gun violence prevention is important to their vote. 
• Gun violence prevention is one of the most persuasive attacks on Republicans in battleground districts; messaging about Republican legislators standing in the way of gun safety rank on par with hits focused on other core issues such as cutting education funding and failing to protect people with pre-existing conditions.
• Broad majorities of voters in Houston-area battleground districts support background checks on all gun sales, red flag laws, and disarming domestic abusers.