Brady gun-control PAC endorses Fitzpatrick

1st District congressman is first Republican that the Brady PAC has endorsed this campaign season.

Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick has become the first Republican in this political season endorsed by the Brady PAC, a gun-control organization working against the gun industry lobby.

Fitzpatrick is seeking his third term representing the 1st Congressional District. He faces a stiff challenge from Democrat Christina Finello, as Democrats nationally are targeting the district, which includes all of Bucks County and a small portion of Montgomery County, during this presidential election year.

“Rep. Fitzpatrick has lived a life of service to his country. As a prosecutor, an FBI special agent, and as a member of Congress, he has stood for what is best for the people he represents, even when it’s not easy. That’s the kind of leadership we look for in Washington — and that’s the type of leadership it will take to pass meaningful gun safety reforms,” Brady PAC Executive Director Brian Lemek said in an announcement Wednesday.

“Whether it’s being an original cosponsor of the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, or co-leading the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, we know Rep. Fitzpatrick supports common sense policies that will protect our communities. We are honored to work with him to continue Jim & Sarah Brady’s legacy of bipartisan solutions, and proud to support him as he seeks re-election to the U.S House of Representatives.”

The Brady PAC announced that Fitzpatrick “is one of only eight Republicans to vote in support of HR (House Resolution) 8 and will be the first Republican to receive Brady PAC’s endorsement this campaign cycle. HR 8, called the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019, was passed 500 days ago and would require a more extensive background check system regulating gun purchases, if it passes the Senate and is signed into law by President Donald Trump.

“This is a powerful endorsement for Fitzpatrick, especially with gun sales soarinig in the midst of the (coronavirus) pandemic,” said Brady PAC spokesman Andrew Feldman.

Fitzpatrick said he was proud to have the Brady campaign join his campaign.

“Keeping our kids, our families and our community safe is, and always will be, my top priority,′ he said in an email response. “This is one of many bipartisan organizations who will be announcing their support for our campaign because they understand the importance of independence and bipartisanship, and they reject the divisiveness of hyper-partisanship. I’m proud to have the Brady campaign join our team as we continue to deliver pragmatic, centrist problem-solving representation to the people in our community.”

Finello responded Wednesday afternoon, “Brian Fitzpatrick’s record on guns should be concerning to the families across our district. He voted three times to block legislation that would close dangerous gun loopholes. And he’s voted time and again against efforts to keep guns out of the hands of people with mental illness. That’s not a record I endorse, nor do the voters of Bucks and Montgomery counties.”

Brady PAC is the sister organization of Brady, the nation’s oldest gun violence prevention advocacy group, Feldman said. The PAC launched in mid-2018 and has a budget of over $5 million for the 2020 cycle.

“The PAC is making a max out contribution to Fitzpatrick’s campaign and will be activating their grassroots army of over 800,000 to support his campaign,” Feldman said.

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. Its website states 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.

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