November 14, 2023
WASHINGTON – Brady PAC today announced its endorsement of gun violence survivor and former U.S. Representative Debbie Mucarsel-Powell for the U.S. Senate to take on incumbent Florida senator Rick Scott in 2024.
When Mucarsel-Powell lost her father to a senseless act of gun violence, she directed her pain into championing common-sense gun policies that the vast majority of Americans strongly support. As a member of the House Judiciary Committee, Mucarsel-Powell led the successful effort to pass legislation out of committee to expand universal background checks. Since leaving office, she served as a senior advisor to the gun safety organization Giffords, a partner of Brady PAC. Her record stands in stark contrast to Rick Scott, who boasts about “opposing every attempt” to enact gun safety legislation that would save lives.
“I know from personal experience that Florida desperately needs a leader in the United States Senate who cares about public safety and fiercely defends the right of every Floridian to live free of gun violence. Debbie Murcasel-Powell is that leader,” said Parkland survivor and Brady PAC National Advisory Council leader Fred Guttenberg. “Florida families and communities have been shattered by mass shootings in Parkland, Orlando, and Fort Lauderdale. These tragedies will only stop when our leaders take guns away from people who shouldn’t have them. That’s why Debbie has my full support in this race.”
“Last year, when Congress passed the first comprehensive gun safety law in decades after elementary school children were slaughtered in Uvalde, Rick Scott led the opposition and voted against it. It’s time Florida had a senator who stands up for children and families instead of casting them aside,” said Ashley Lantz, executive director of Brady PAC. “Debbie Mucarsel-Powell is a true moderate who represents Florida’s values of freedom and safety for all families. We’re honored to endorse her and we urge Floridians to send her to the Senate in 2024.”
“The fight to end gun violence and keep our communities safe is personal to me, and I couldn’t be more grateful to have Brady PAC by my side in this fight,” said Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, candidate for U.S. Senate. “We need more leaders in Congress who have the courage to stand up to the gun lobby and protect our kids and our communities – something Rick Scott has failed to do in the Senate. Florida families deserve better, and together with Brady PAC we’re going to deliver on that next November.”
Mucarsel-Powell is the fifth gun violence survivor and federal candidate endorsed by Brady PAC this year.
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Brady PAC, the political arm of Brady, was created in 2018 to counter the gun industry lobby’s dark money Super PACs. Brady PAC endorses gun violence prevention champions who support common-sense gun safety policies, including universal background checks, safe storage, and a ban on new assault weapons.
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Brady PAC is dedicated to a singular goal: creating a safer America by supporting and investing in candidates who are committed to enacting, improving, and defending Gun Violence Prevention (GVP) policies across the country. It upholds the policy ideals championed by its sister organization – one of the nation’s oldest GVP grassroots advocacy organizations.
