Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund Announces $2 Million Electoral Plan in Florida

NEW YORK – Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund today announced it is endorsing Senator Bill Nelson’s reelection, and will spend $2 million in support of gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum, Attorney General candidate Sean Shaw, Agricultural Commissioner candidate Nicole “Nikki” Fried and others in Florida. These candidates are running on platforms that include strengthening gun safety laws in the Sunshine State, while their opponents are beholden to the gun lobby’s extreme “guns everywhere” agenda. What’s more, Everytown today endorsed incumbent U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, who has championed gun safety in the U.S. Senate.

Volunteers with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and survivors of gun violence — including survivors of the Pulse nightclub and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shootings — have worked tirelessly to ensure that gun safety is no longer a third rail issue in Florida. Thanks to their dedication, lawmakers of both parties came together after the mass shooting in Parkland to pass sweeping new gun safety laws.

“In Florida, this election is about gun safety — not political partisanship,” said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. “The era of the NRA calling the shots is over.”

Everytown’s electoral activities in Florida will include direct contributions as well as independent expenditures funding mail and digital advertisements.

In recent weeks, Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund endorsed Gillum in the race for governor. Gillum has spoken out repeatedly about gun violence prevention and has made gun safety part of his campaign platform.

By contrast, Gillum’s Republican opponent, Ron DeSantis, has an A rating from the NRA and has been endorsed by the NRA. He has said he would have vetoed the landmark gun safety legislation passed after the mass shooting in Parkland.

Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund has also endorsed Sean Shaw for Attorney General. Shaw has highlighted his opposition to the NRA and his commitment to common-sense gun laws during his campaign and ran a digital ad spotlighting these positions.

By contrast, his opponent, Ashley Moody, has an A rating from the NRA and opposes stronger gun laws.

What’s more, Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund will contribute to Agricultural Commissioner candidate Nikki Fried, who recently released a video saying she would not be beholden to the NRA. The Agricultural Commissioner has oversight over concealed carry permits in Florida, and the current commissioner has faced scrutiny for failing to review federal background checks on tens of thousands of applications for concealed weapons permits. Her opponent, Matt Caldwell, has an A+ rating from the NRA and has been endorsed by the NRA.

In addition, the Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund has already contributed $200,000 to the leadership PAC run by Republican state Senator and incoming Senate President Bill Galvano, who worked tirelessly to get his colleagues to support the gun safety package passed after the Parkland tragedy.