Skip to content

One Murphy’s Gun Safety Group Backs Another Murphy

Rep. Patrick Murphy among Democrats winning support of Sen. Chris Murphy

Connecticut Sen. Christopher S. Murphy says that 2016 has marked a "sea change in the fight to reduce gun violence," as he announces three new congressional endorsements from his gun safety initiative. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)
Connecticut Sen. Christopher S. Murphy says that 2016 has marked a "sea change in the fight to reduce gun violence," as he announces three new congressional endorsements from his gun safety initiative. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Sen. Christopher S. Murphy will roll out a new set of political endorsements on Thursday that are built around his effort to promote gun safety.

The Connecticut Democrat has made measures such as expanded background checks for gun buyers a personal cause since the 2012 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in his home state. And he has increasingly taken his campaign from the Senate floor to the ballot box.

Those receiving endorsements includes the Democratic Senate candidate in Florida with whom Murphy shares a last name: Rep. Patrick Murphy, who’s running against Republican incumbent Sen. Marco Rubio.

“We all remember a time not that long ago when Democrats avoided talking about guns — especially as candidates in competitive campaigns. But this year has marked a sea change in the fight to reduce gun violence. With 90 percent of voters behind us, Democrats are finally going on offense,” Murphy of Connecticut said in a statement provided to Roll Call.

[Democrat Launches Fund to Support Gun Control Candidates]

In addition to the Florida congressman, Murphy’s Fund to End Gun Violence will also be backing two other Democrats — Salud Carbajal in the race to succeed Democratic Rep. Lois Capps in California’s 24th Congressional District, and Anna Throne-Holst, the former Southampton town supervisor challenging GOP Rep. Lee Zeldin in New York’s 1st District on Long Island.

“I’m proud to support Patrick Murphy, Salud Carbajal and Anna Throne-Holst because they’ve made ending gun violence cornerstones of their campaigns. By electing more people like them, Congress can finally listen to the will of the people, not the gun lobby,” Murphy said. 

Contact Lesniewski at NielsLesniewski@cqrollcall.com and follow him on Twitter at @nielslesniewski.

Recent Stories

Cole considered early favorite to win House Appropriations gavel

Joseph Lieberman, an iconoclast who frustrated the Democratic Party, dies at 82

Officials: Baltimore bridge price tag could be at least $2 billion

Race to House majority runs through the 10 Toss-ups

Kuster will not seek reelection in New Hampshire

Appeals court extends hold on Texas deportation law