Who We Are
MISSION
Brady PAC will create a safer America by enacting, improving and defending gun violence prevention legislation by supporting and electing champions to represent us.
About
Formed leading up to the 2018 midterm elections, Brady PAC was created to serve as a counterweight to “dark money” Super PACs created by the gun industry lobby. It upholds the policy ideals that have been championed by its sister organization, Brady — one of the nation’s oldest gun violence prevention grassroots advocacy organizations — and backs candidates running for state and federal office who support universal background checks, reenacting the assault weapons ban, extreme risk protection orders, and enacting other common-sense gun violence prevention laws that will make our homes, schools, and communities safer.
A Winning Strategy,
That Makes an Impact
In its first election cycle, Brady PAC outperformed all expectations. Fueled and guided by a strategy to endorse and support only those who committed to the Brady three-point plan, Brady PAC did not shy away from tough districts and aggressively took on both incumbents and challengers protected by the gun industry and the NRA with strategic investments and saw real results.
Brady PAC contributed directly to the campaigns of 38 congressional candidates in the 2018 midterms, 32 of whom won their elections. That’s an 84% win percentage.
Brady PAC’s independent expenditures also proved highly effective during the 2018 midterms. Operating across nine markets, the independent expenditures undertaken reached millions of voters through digital videos, text messaging, and radio ads that were targeted to effectively communicate that gun violence prevention must be a priority at the ballot box. On Election Day, 8 of the 9 Brady PAC endorsed candidates supported by independent expenditures won their races.
The PAC’s success continued in the off year of 2019, where it raised $900,000 and invested over $500,000 directly into candidates and organizations that support its priorities. All while continuing to expand its digital footprint, with a list that now sits at nearly one million supporters of gun violence prevention.
Where We Are Going in 2020
With a budget over $4.25 million, Brady PAC will put its full weight behind Vice President Biden and will invest nearly $2M in over 200 Federal and State races nationwide. Brady will direct over $500,000 to flipping the Texas House with an unprecedented investment in Voter Registration, Campaign Ads and direct candidate support. In addition Brady PAC will invest Independent Expenditure in key Federal Races and continue its work with other advocacy organizations and PACs as a force multiplier for its efforts. Outside of their contributions to candidates and organizations, Brady PAC will invest in digital and ground GOTV efforts nationwide
Brian Lemek
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Brian Lemek is the Executive Director and founding member of Brady PAC.
A career political and non profit fundraiser, Lemek has raised more than $100 million for causes and candidates that he believes in. Prior to taking the helm of Brady PAC, he led fundraising efforts for Brady PACs sister organization, Brady, as the Vice President of Development. During his tenure, the organization’s revenue grew by nearly 50%.
Lemek is known for his long standing relationships on Capitol Hill and was a key figure behind organizing the “We the People” forum that featured leading 2020 presidential candidates just weeks before the Iowa Caucuses. Prior to his work in politics, Lemek spent nearly 15 years working on human rights and conflict resolution initiatives in the U.S., Southern Africa, the Middle East, and Northern Ireland.
In addition to Lemek’s role with Brady PAC, he is an adjunct faculty member at Johns Hopkins University and Capstone Advisor at Georgetown University. Lemek is featured regularly in the media and has appeared in major publications including CBS News, Politico, The Hill, RealClearPolitics and more.
Lemek graduated with a BA from Colgate University and he earned his MBA from Babson University. Hailing from Providence, Rhode Island, he currently lives in the DC suburbs with his wife and three daughters.
