Everytown Making Arizona a Top 2020 Priority with $5 Million ‘Gun Sense Majority: Arizona’ Initiative

Yesterday, Everytown for Gun Safety Victory Fund and Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund announced Gun Sense Majority: Arizona — a plan to spend at least $5 million in the Grand Canyon State to elect gun sense candidates up and down the ballot in state and federal races. 

The $5 million investment in Gun Sense Majority: Arizona is a part of Everytown’s $60 million electoral program for the 2020 elections, and a significant financial and grassroots effort harnessing the power of nearly 200,000 Everytown, Moms Demand Action, and Students Demand Action supporters in Arizona to ensure Vice President Biden wins Arizona; to defeat unelected Senator Martha McSally and elect Captain Mark Kelly in one of the country’s top U.S. Senate races; to elect gun sense majorities in both chambers of the state legislature; and to defend the U.S. House gun sense majority.

Read a memo from Everytown senior political advisor Charlie Kelly, outlining electoral plans for Arizona, here, and read some of what Arizona and national media are saying below:

Arizona Republic: “Bloomberg’s gun control group plans $5 million effort in Arizona”

“Everytown’s Arizona plan builds on the 2019 statehouse elections in Virginia, where the group spent $2.5 million to help flip control of the General Assembly from Republicans to Democrats. Everytown’s legislative agenda includes items such as requiring background checks on the purchase of all firearms — including all transactions at gun shows — and banning domestic abusers from owning guns. The group points to polling, including in Arizona, that it claims shows broad support for those positions. Everytown’s financial muscle, aided by billionaire Bloomberg and an army of donors nationwide, is a reminder of the sea change in the politics of the Second Amendment.”

Associated Press: “Gun-control group plans to spend $5 million in Arizona” (also in U.S. News and World Report, Mohave Valley Daily News, KTAR News, and more)

“‘Everytown is investing heavily in Arizona because the political calculus in the state has dramatically shifted,’ said John Feinblatt, Everytown’s president. The presidential campaigns are eyeing Arizona’s 11 electoral votes, and the Senate race between Kelly and Republican Sen. Martha McSally is a top-tier contest will help determine control of the upper chamber of Congress.”

Politico Morning Score: “The Grand Canyon State”

“Everytown for Gun Safety, which is backed by Mike Bloomberg, announced that it’d spend $5 million in Arizona, the Arizona Republic’s Ronald Hansen reported. The group will play in everything from the presidency through state legislative races.”

The Hill: “Gun control group to spend at least $5 million in Arizona ahead of November”

“Charlie Kelly, a senior political adviser for Everytown for Gun Safety, told reporters the group plans to release ‘compelling television’ ads and direct mail targeting key voting groups, like women and Spanish-speaking voters, in the state, as well as bolster its digital presence in the state.”

Arizona Mirror: “Gun control group to spend $5 million on Arizona races in 2020” 

“In addition to advertising on TV, in newspapers and on digital platforms, Everytown for Gun Safety is also planning on mobilizing newer voters, as well. Anvitha Doddipalli, a student at Corona del Sol High School and a volunteer with Students Demand Action, said her group is aiming to register 4,500 young people to vote. ‘Come November, we will demand action,’ Doddipalli said.”

Copper Courier: “A Gun Safety Group Just Dropped $5M on the Arizona Elections”

“Everytown’s investment is part of a $60 million drive across the nation to promote candidates who support measures like background check requirements and “Red Flag” laws – efforts to prevent dangerous people from being able to obtain and use firearms. John Feinblatt, Everytown’s president, pointed out during a conference call that the Arizona Senate decided to adjourn last week, and chose not to take up a bill that would prevent domestic abusers from being able to possess guns. Feinblatt said the bill “couldn’t be more urgent,” considering how calls to domestic violence hotlines have increased since the beginning of pandemic stay-at-home orders.”

Univision: “Campañas demócratas en Arizona recibirán $5 millones de grupo de control de armas de Michael Bloomberg”

National Journal: Everytown for Gun Safety Announces $5M Investment in State

Coverage also in KNPX-NBC, KPHO-CBS, and KTVK-Arizona Family