Brady Campaign Launches Multi-State Media Campaign to Defeat Gun Lobby’s “Freshman Five,” Secure Gun Safety Majority in the U.S. House

Nation’s leading gun safety group aims to unseat gun extremists Juan Ciscomani (AZ-6), John James (MI-10), Anthony D'Esposito (NY-4), Jen Kiggans (VA-2), Derrick Van Orden (WI-3)

Left to Right: AP Photo/Paul Sancya, Eric Lee/Bloomberg via Getty Images, FILE The U.S. Sun, Tim Baker/Herald, Rick Wiley/Arizona Daily Star/Associated Press

WASHINGTON – Today, Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, the nation’s leading gun violence prevention organization, and Brady PAC, its political arm, launched a multi-state campaign to unseat five freshman representatives beholden to the gun lobby and deliver a gun safety majority in the U.S. House. The campaign – which will include grassroots outreach and strategic earned media across five target districts – will educate voters about the “Freshman Five’s” extreme positions on gun policy, turn out voters in support of gun safety champions, and ultimately ensure the gun lobby does not maintain a stronghold in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

To defeat the “Freshman Five” incumbents, Brady will reach more than 650,000 voters across target districts in support of endorsed candidates, including via youth-focused phone banking; door-to-door canvassing alongside endorsed candidates; and strategic earned media to amplify the voices of survivors and local community members impacted by gun violence. 

The gun lobby’s ‘Freshman Five’ spent their first term putting the interests of the NRA ahead of the safety and livelihoods of our kids and communities,” said Ashley Lantz, Executive Director of Brady PAC. “Brady PAC is proud to be launching this concentrated effort, which will hone the power of the nation’s oldest gun safety group in pivotal swing districts to ensure we are replacing freshman gun extremists with electeds who are committed to freeing America from gun violence. Together, we will ensure that each of the ‘Freshman Five’ representatives is one-and-done in Congress."

"No one should have to bury their child because of gun violence,” said Parkland survivor Fred Guttenberg, father of Jaime Guttenberg and senior advisor to Brady PAC. “But the ‘Freshman Five’s’ refusal to stand up for the safety of our families is forcing more and more parents to buy caskets while America’s gun manufacturers turn outrageous profits. This November represents a crucial opportunity for parents, survivors, youth, and all Americans who are sick and tired of our country’s gun violence epidemic to kick the gun lobby out of Congress – and I’m proud to work with Brady in this critical effort.

The “Freshman Five” incumbents: 1) Are opposed to common sense gun safety measures supported by the majority of their constituents, including universal Brady background checks; 2) Represent districts that will decide control of the U.S. House; and 3) Running for re-election for the first time, making them uniquely vulnerable this cycle.

Brady's “Freshman Five” targets are:

• Juan Ciscomani (AZ-6): Ciscomani promised to fight against “any Infringement” on gun rights, sat on the board of an organization that held NRA-hosted firearm events and promoted a plan to reduce funding for gun violence prevention initiatives in President Biden’s Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. Brady PAC has endorsed challenger and gun safety champion Kirsten Engel in what promises to be among the nation’s closest House races.
• John James (MI-10): Despite representing a community rocked by the horrific Oxford High School shooting in 2021, James has advocated for the abolishment of gun-free zones in schools and opposes common-sense measures proven to prevent gun violence, including universal background checks.
• Anthony D'Esposito (NY-4): D’Esposito opposes an assault weapons ban and his campaign is backed by gun extremists who have regularly opposed gun safety measures. Despite claiming to “crack down on crime,” D’Esposito himself was found guilty of failing to secure his loaded department-issued firearm while serving in the NYPD. Brady PAC has endorsed challenger Democrat Laura Gillen, who lost a friend to senseless gun violence.
• Jen Kiggans (VA-2): As State Senator, Kiggans bragged about an A rating from the NRA and repeatedly voted against basic measures like background checks. After attending their gun rights rally, she’s received strong support from the Virginia Citizens Defense League, including a “Very Pro-Gun” survey grade and accepting thousands in donations from the disgraced and extremist pro-gun organization. Brady PAC has endorsed retired Navy officer Missy Cotter Smasal, whose military background grounds her work to fight for common-sense gun safety measures.
• Derrick Van Orden (WI-3): Endorsed by Trump and a participant in the January 6th insurrection, Van Orden has already received nearly $40,000 from the gun lobby to support his re-election. He was also notably on probation during his 2022 Congressional run after taking a loaded firearm into an airport.
   

For more than 50 years, Brady has pioneered the gun violence prevention movement as the nation's oldest gun safety group,” said Kris Brown, President of the Brady Campaign and Founder of Brady PAC. “This election cycle, Brady PAC is doubling down on its efforts to unseat lawmakers beholden to the gun lobby, and give President Harris a gun safety majority in the House as she begins her first term. Guns are the number one killer of kids, but our votes can help change this. By electing champions throughout Congress and in the White House, we can forge a path to a future free from gun violence.

Brady PAC, the political arm of Brady, was created in 2018 to counter the gun industry lobby’s dark money Super PACs. To date, Brady PAC has endorsed more than 500 gun violence prevention champions who support common-sense gun safety policies, including universal background checks, safe storage, and a ban on new assault weapons.

Brady President Kris Brown will highlight these efforts at the DNC’s 2:00PM  Gun Violence Prevention panel. Contact [email protected] to request an interview or RSVP.