BradyPAC, the sister organization to the anti-gun violence group Brady, is making an endorsement in an Executive Council race today. The group is supporting District 3 Democratic candidate Mindi Messmer of Rye.
“Mindi Messmer is a champion of transparency, a scientist and mother who supports evidence based, common sense gun violence prevention solutions,” said BradyPAC Executive Director Brian Lemek.
“Mindi will bring a comprehensive approach to addressing the very complex issue of gun violence in the Granite State and we are proud to support her campaign for Executive Council, District 3.”
The advocacy group Brady-United Against Gun Violence has been in existence since the 1970s, originally as the National Council to Control Handguns. After former Ronald Reagan administration communications director Jim Brady was shot and partially paralyzed in an assassination attempt on President Reagan in 1981, the group was merged with the Center to Prevent Handgun Violence, chaired by Brady’s wife, Sarah Brady.
The group was eventually successful in passing the Brady Bill, which enacted background checks on individuals before firearms may be purchased by a federally licensed dealers. In 2000, the groups were jointly renamed the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence.
BradyPAC was formed ahead of the 2018 midterm election “to serve as a counterweight to ‘dark money’ super PACs created by the gun industry lobby,” according to the PAC’s website.
Messmer is one of two Democrats running for the seat. Three Republicans are also running.
The seat is currently held by Republican Russell Prescott, who is not seeking reelection.
Earlier this year, the PAC endorsed U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas for reelection.
