First Gun Sense Lawmaking Trifecta in Decades Opens Door for Significant Action on Gun Safety Legislation
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
LANSING – Nine Michigan Moms Demand Action volunteers running for office up and down the ballot won in this week’s elections, highlighting the political power of Moms Demand Action volunteers as candidates for office themselves. These victories include the re-elections of former Moms Demand Action volunteers including Representative Brenda Carter and Senator Mallory McMorrow. For the first time in decades, Michigan will have a gun sense trifecta with Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s re-election and new Democratic majorities in the House and Senate. Moms Demand Action volunteers were also elected to judicial and school board seats, helping to ensure that gun violence prevention will be a priority across every level of government in Michigan.
“Michigan Moms Demand Action volunteers helped make history in this election, ushering in a gun sense trifecta in the legislature along with electing nine of our own volunteers,” said Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action. “Our army of grassroots advocates have become the bench and next generation of gun sense lawmakers – and we’re eager to get to work helping save lives from gun violence in the coming legislative session.”
“After helping countless gun sense candidates win their races, these Michigan 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 Lansing, just as we’ve counted on their support to build a nationwide movement that is only growing stronger.”
“Michigan voters made it clear they stand with us on the side of gun safety, and we’re thrilled that we’ve elected a new majority, including several Moms Demand Action volunteers, in every legislative chamber that will prioritize measures that will save lives,” said Lindsay Warren, a volunteer with the Michigan chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Despite having her hands tied in the legislature, Governor Whitmer has worked hard to prioritize gun safety throughout her time in office. We’re excited that she will finally have the support of a new majority that will push to make substantial progress in addressing Michigan’s gun violence crisis, and are eager to get to work next session.”
Everytown-endorsed Moms Demand Action volunteers who won their races Tuesday include:
- Lori Stone – State Representative, MI-HD-013
- Kelly Breen – State Representative, MI-HD-021
- Ranjeev Puri – State Representative, MI-HD-024
- Brenda Carter – State Representative, MI-HD-053
- Mallory McMorrow – State Senator, MI-SD-008
- Paul Wojno – State Senator, MI-SD-010
- Lisa Babcock – District Attorney, Judge of the 54b District Court, Ingham County
- Carin Meyer – School Board, Northville Public Schools
- Melissa Stuart – School Board, Northville Public Schools
The previous legislature’s makeup resulted in serious roadblocks to passing important policies that would address gun violence in Michigan. Over the past several years, any attempts to take action on critical policies like laws that would prohibit convicted misdemeanor domestic abusers and those who pose a risk to themselves or others from possessing firearms, and measures that would require firearms to be stored securely, were halted before they could even be considered. Now, with a majority in both legislative chambers, the door is open for lawmakers to pass much-needed public safety measures to protect communities from gun violence. Everytown supported multiple candidates up and down the ballot this year, including Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Attorney General Dana Nessel, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and members that will make up the new majority in the Michigan House of Representatives and Senate.
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 won seats – from town council and school board to U.S. Congress.