Longtime Republican incumbent wins another gun control group’s endorsement
The Brady PAC endorsed Rep. Chris Smith (R-Hamilton) Wednesday, adding to the longtime incumbent’s already-impressive list of pro-gun-control backers.
“The bottom line is that common sense measures to prevent gun violence are about saving lives and Congressman Chris Smith gets that,” Brady PAC Executive Director Brian Lemek said. “Over the years, from being one of the original cosponsors of universal background check to his support for an assault weapons ban, closing the Charleston loophole and more, Congressman Smith has the receipts to prove he is a gun violence prevention champion and we endorse his record and his leadership on the issue.”
Smith has already been endorsed by the Giffords, a leading gun safety advocacy group launched by former Rep. Gabriel Giffords (D-Az.), who was the target of an assassination attempt in January, 2011.
Giffords, the organization, also endorsed Smith against Josh Welle in 2018. He was one of only two Republican New Jersey congressmen to win the group’s support. Rep. Leonard Lance (R-Clinton) also received the group’s backing but lost to Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-Ringoes) in the general election.
This year, the 20-term incumbent faces a challenge from former State Department staffer Stephanie Schmid.
