Today, Giffords PAC, the gun violence prevention organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, congratulated Governor Tony Evers and Lieutenant Governor-elect Sara Rodriguez for winning their respective campaigns. Giffords PAC endorsed Governor Evers in July, and Giffords Senior Advisor and former Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell joined Lieutenant Governor-elect Sara Rodriguez on the campaign trail last week to help with rally support for the Democratic ticket among Hispanic and Latino voters.
Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords:
“Congratulations to Governor Evers and Lieutenant Governor-elect Rodriguez on their critical wins. Governor Evers has been a longstanding advocate in the fight against gun violence and has never wavered in his commitment to keeping the people of Wisconsin safe—even in the face of intense pressure from the gun lobby and its allies in the state legislature. This election was a critical one in the fight for gun safety, and we look forward to working with the Evers-Rodriguez administration to create a safer future for Wisconsinites.”
Governor Tony Evers is committed to protecting Wisconsin’s communities and building a safer, stronger state for the next generation. After serving two terms as Wisconsin’s superintendent of public instruction, Governor Evers defeated a two-term, NRA-backed incumbent in 2018 in one of the most competitive races in the country. In 2019, Governor Evers called a special session to urge lawmakers to pass universal background checks and pushed the Republican-led state legislature to enact other meaningful gun safety measures, like implementing a strong extreme risk protection order law. When they refused to take action, Governor Evers worked with federal partners to get needed funding to prevent gun violence—securing $800,000 for community safety initiatives in Racine and $25 million for violence prevention efforts in Milwaukee.
Throughout his tenure, Governor Evers has consistently challenged the extreme agenda of the gun lobby, vetoing multiple bills that would have endangered communities across Wisconsin, including proposals that would have allowed guns on school grounds and given permit holders from states with weak concealed carry permitting systems the ability to carry their firearms throughout Wisconsin.
