Moms Demand Action, the prominent gun safety advocacy group, trained over 330 volunteers who successfully ran for office, with nearly 200 of them securing local positions. Among these winners were two school board candidates in Florida, Liz Barker and Rebecca Thompson, who defied political divisions to win their races. This approach, according to experts, is a powerful reminder that gun safety can unite people across the political spectrum.
Local Wins, Big Impact
In Sarasota, Florida, Liz Barker, a former school psychologist and mother of four, decided to run for a seat on the school board after witnessing the growing politicization of education. With her background as a public educator and active involvement in the local Moms Demand Action chapter, Barker’s platform centered on common-sense solutions to gun safety and education.
Sarasota County, which leans heavily Republican, might have seemed like an unlikely battleground for a gun safety advocate, especially when her opponent was backed by the conservative group Moms for Liberty. However, Barker’s approach was clear: by focusing on nonpartisan issues like safe storage of firearms, she effectively rallied voters on both sides of the aisle.
“I wasn’t running against anyone,” Barker said in an interview. “I was running for my kids. I wanted to protect their future, and that meant making sure our schools were safe.”
Barker’s story is far from unique. Across the country, candidates running on gun safety issues have found that voters are more willing to support solutions that prioritize children’s safety over partisan divides. According to Angela Ferrell-Zabala, the executive director of Moms Demand Action, candidates like Barker have an advantage because they are deeply embedded in their communities and understand the problems families face on a day-to-day basis.
The Power of Nonpartisan Messaging
What sets these gun safety candidates apart is their ability to present gun control as a nonpartisan issue. By avoiding partisan rhetoric, they were able to focus on issues that affect all families, like the safety of their children. And it worked.
“People want to feel safe, and they want to know their children are protected,” said Ferrell-Zabala. “This message transcends political party lines. It’s about doing what’s right for our kids.”
This approach is especially critical in local races, where candidates often have more immediate access to the communities they serve. School board members, like Barker, are uniquely positioned to make a difference. They directly influence policies affecting children’s education and safety.
While many of the candidates backed by Moms Demand Action were running for school boards, the broader impact of these victories cannot be overstated. Local governments are often the first line of defense against the rising tide of gun violence in schools and communities. When candidates who prioritize gun safety win these local elections, they can implement policies that have far-reaching consequences.
Taking Action in the Community
Once in office, these candidates waste no time in making meaningful changes. Barker, for instance, quickly set to work on initiatives that prioritize safe gun storage and educating the community about the risks associated with firearms in homes. Her focus on the issue aligns with broader efforts across the country to prevent the growing number of gun-related deaths among children.
Indeed, gun violence has become the leading cause of death for children in the U.S., surpassing other causes like car accidents. With this stark reality in mind, candidates like Barker and Thompson are determined to provide solutions that safeguard future generations.
Barker’s win is part of a larger movement that is making gun safety a key issue in local elections. Other school board members and local leaders are following suit, emphasizing common-sense gun safety measures like responsible storage and background checks.
A Wave of Change
This growing trend is not just about policy; it’s about reshaping the narrative around gun safety. By framing the conversation around protecting children rather than partisan politics, these candidates have successfully reframed gun safety as an issue that transcends party lines. It’s no longer about left or right — it’s about keeping our children safe.
Moms Demand Action’s Demand a Seat program has played a pivotal role in this shift. By training and supporting candidates who are passionate about gun safety, the organization has helped propel a new generation of leaders into local offices. These candidates, armed with a message of unity and safety, are poised to make a significant impact in their communities.
Key Takeaways
- Gun safety is increasingly becoming a nonpartisan issue.
- Local elections, like those for school boards, are critical for enacting meaningful gun safety policies.
- Moms Demand Action’s training programs have helped candidates from both parties win seats in local offices.
- The focus on protecting children is resonating with voters across political divides.
With these victories, advocates believe that the movement for safer schools and communities will continue to gain momentum. Whether Democrat or Republican, voters are uniting for one cause: putting children first.
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