Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund Inc.

11/12/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/12/2024 09:52

Ruben Gallego, Everytown-Supported Gun Sense Candidate, Wins Election in Arizona

Everytown Opened Field Office in Tempe to Support Voter Outreach Efforts

Everytown Supporters, Alongside Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action Volunteers, Made More Than 12 Million Voter Contacts To Support Gun Sense Candidates Nationwide

WASHINGTON - Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund and its grassroots networks, Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, and Everytown for Gun Safety Victory Fund, declared a major victory today as voters elected gun sense champion Ruben Gallego to the U.S. Senate.

"In a state with a long tradition of gun ownership, it speaks volumes about the changing political calculus that a gun sense champion like Ruben Gallego just won the Arizona Senate seat," said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. "Senator-elect Gallego understands there is no conflict between common-sense gun laws and the Second Amendment, and Arizona voters clearly agree."

"Electing Ruben Gallego is a win for common sense gun safety laws, and a rejection of hatred and extremism," said Angela Ferrell-Zabala, executive director of Moms Demand Action. "While his opponent cozied up to the gun lobby, Senator-elect Gallego - a dedicated leader and veteran - actually prioritized the safety of his communities. This is a victory not just for our movement, but for expanding freedoms and democracy across the board."

"Gallego's victory isn't just a win for Arizona. This is a win for our right to live free from gun violence" said Moriah Dees, a volunteer leader with Students Demand Action from Arizona. "Kari Lake has no business being in public office. Congressman Gallego is the kind of leader Gen Z deserves in the fight for the safety of our homes, schools, and communities. There's no doubt he's the right person for this job and his victory gives me hope that real change is on the horizon."

Earlier this year, Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund and Victory Fund announced a $45 million major electoral program, which included launching a new grassroots voter contact program to help elect gun sense candidates and defeat gun extremists up and down the ballot in key swing districts and states. These efforts focused on young voters on college campuses, voters of color, and suburban women in Arizona, California, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. As part of the electoral program, Everytown hired and deployed 36 field organizers across the ten states. In Tempe, Philadelphia and Detroit, Everytown opened field offices to support overall efforts.