Washington, DC — Giffords, the gun safety organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and Captain Mark Kelly, announced its endorsement of Katie Porter’s campaign in California’s 45th congressional district. Captain Kelly and former Congresswoman Giffords attended a rally this week in support of Katie Porter’s congressional campaign.
Katie Porter is a consumer protection attorney who has spent her career standing up to powerful special interests. She won’t be afraid to fight back against the National Rifle Association’s attempt to weaken gun laws in order to increase the profits of corporate firearm manufacturers. Katie also supports requiring background checks on all gun sales and reinstating the federal ban on purchasing semi-automatic assault weapons. She’s running against Congresswoman Mimi Walters, who voted to gut California’s life-saving gun laws by supporting concealed carry reciprocity.
“Katie is part of a new group of leaders who have always shown courage when it counts,” said former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, co-founder of Giffords. “Like other women running for Congress this year, she knows we can’t ignore the gun violence crisis any longer because the safety of our families is at stake. I’ve always said that strong women get things done. Katie is a strong woman. Her proven record of standing up to powerful special interest groups, means she’s someone who will not be intimidated by gun lobby pressure. She’ll prioritize protecting public safety and work tirelessly to pass the laws our country needs to keep our schools, streets, and neighborhoods safe. We’re proud to endorse Katie for Congress because she has the leadership and courage to stand up for California and our country.”
“Orange County families have made their feelings heard, time and again, that common-sense gun protections are our values,” said Katie Porter. “As a mother of three, I am proud to have the support of Giffords, an organization that has the courage to fight gun violence. That is why I am running for Congress – to stand up to special interests like the NRA and stand up for Orange County families.”
Giffords’ #VoteCourage campaign is aimed at electing gun safety advocates to Congress and defeating politicians who have historically worked against gun reform, or done nothing at all to prevent gun violence. The political program targets incumbents in mostly suburban districts and uses a mixture of TV and digital advertising, on-the-ground organizing, and a voter registration push to create momentum for meaningful progress on gun safety.
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Giffords is a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives from gun violence. Led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and her husband, Navy combat veteran and retired NASA astronaut Captain Mark Kelly, Giffords inspires the courage of people from all walks of life to make America safer.