FOR
PERSONAL, NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY
Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, Press Release
(Report from Join
Together)
September 26, 2002
Support
For Gun Control A Winning Position
In Key Primary Races, New Report Shows
Key Primary
Races Show Gun Control Remains Overwhelmingly Popular, Gun Lobby's
Endorsement Often Does Candidates More Harm Than Good
Washington, DC
- Gun violence issues played a key role in influencing several
of this year's most hotly contested primary elections, according
to a new report issued today by the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence.
The analysis identified trends in the 2002 primary season,
some of which continue from the 2000 elections. They include:
Gun control remains
popular among voters, particularly in suburban areas Candidates
who actively seek the NRA's endorsement and assistance do so
at their own peril The gun lobby continues to lose its most
vocal supporters in Congress The report analyzed five highly
competitive primary elections in a geographically and politically
diverse range of states. The races were selected based on their
competitiveness and the fact that gun policies emerged as a
central issue in the campaigns. In several cases, these contests
were selected for special attention by both the National Rifle
Association (NRA) and organizations working to prevent gun
violence by strengthening gun control laws.
"The primary results demonstrate the growing importance of gun violence
prevention to American voters today," said Josh Horwitz, Executive Director
of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence. "As this report make clear, the deep
pockets of the NRA lobby are more often a hindrance than a help to candidates
pursuing elected office."
The report is available
on-line at www.csgv.org.
The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence plans to release a second
analysis of gun control issues following the November elections.
Following is a brief synopsis of the report findings:
Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania's Democratic gubernatorial primary, strong outreach by gun
violence prevention groups played a central role, overcoming an NRA ad
campaign and swinging the election to pro-gun control candidate Ed Rendell,
who clashed frequently with his opponent, Auditor General Bob Casey Jr.,
over the issue.
An NRA-sponsored
television ad campaign in support of Casey focused on rural
western Pennsylvania, traditionally a stronghold of anti-gun
control sentiment, while gun violence prevention organizations
conducted an extensive voter outreach program in the Philadelphia
suburbs, targeting suburban women who generally favor stronger
gun violence prevention policies.
The efforts of
the gun violence prevention movement mobilized voters far more
effectively than the NRA's campaign. Outreach conducted by
the gun control advocates led to strong voter turnout in suburban
areas, where turnout reached 40%, while the NRA's efforts failed
to drive voters to the polls in western Pennsylvania, where
turnout was 30%. Ed Rendell won the nomination by 12 percentage
points.
Illinois
In March, Rep. Rod Blagojevich won a three-way Democratic primary for the gubernatorial
nomination. A strong supporter of sensible gun laws, Blagojevich promoted
gun control throughout Illinois. Opponent Paul Vallas, however, softened
his support for gun laws in the southern part of the state, prompting Blagojevich
to charge "he's [Vallas] Charlton Heston in Southern Illinois. He's
Sarah Brady in Chicago." Blagojevich won both southern Illinois and
the election.
Maryland
In Maryland, a state with generally strong voter support for gun control, two
Democratic candidates for the 8th Congressional District vied to demonstrate
their strong gun control credentials. In a race with few issues differentiating
the candidates, the support of gun violence prevention grassroots advocates
was a key factor in the victory of State Senator Christopher Van Hollen
Jr.
Both Van Hollen
and State Delegate Mark Shriver called for strong gun control
measures, but state gun control grassroots activists backed
Van Hollen because of his more extensive legislative record
on the issue. A strong push by these advocates on the final
days of the campaign contributed to Van Hollen's victory in
an election decided by less than 3,000 votes.
Michigan
In Michigan's 15th Congressional District, redistricting pitted two incumbents,
Representative John Dingell and Representative Lynne Rivers, against one
another in the Democratic primary. Aggressive campaigning by gun control
advocates forced Dingell, one of the most powerful members of Congress,
to support stronger gun control laws for the first time in his political
career.
To deflect criticism
of his gun voting record, Dingell downplayed his NRA support
while sponsoring a bill in Congress to strengthen the background
check system--a system that he had voted against establishing.
By moderating his position on guns, Dingell was able to avoid
defeat at the hands of Rivers, who had the backing of gun violence
prevention advocates.
Georgia
Redistricted into a contest against fellow GOP Representative John Linder,
Bob Barr hinged his re-election campaign on his NRA board member status.
Barr hoped to win the hyped "gun vote" that, conventional wisdom
held, would turn out in a Republican primary. Linder also consistently
votes against gun safety issues, but did not campaign on his pro-NRA record
as lamboyantly as Barr did.
Barr was endorsed
by the organization, which coordinated an aggressive campaign
on his behalf, including television ads and fundraisers. Despite
the NRA's efforts, Rep. Linder won the election by a two-to-one
margin.
1023 15th Street,
NW
Washington, DC 20005
www.gunfree.org
Contact:
Blaine Rummel
Phone: (202) 408-0061 |
