One new state legislative candidate and four incumbents who represent Kent received endorsements Wednesday from the Seattle-based Alliance for Gun Responsibility.<\/p>\n
Newcomer Satwinder Kaur, a Democrat, and Democratic incumbents Mia Gregerson, Debra Entenman, Bob Hasegawa and Steve Bergquist were among the 79 candidates at the local, state and federal level endorsed by the group for the 2020 primary election in August.<\/p>\n
Kaur, a member of the Kent City Council, is running for the 47th District House seat now held by Pat Sullivan, who decided not to run again. Gregerson represents the 33rd District and Entenman the 47th District in the House. Hasegawa represents the 11th District in the Senate and Bergquist the 11th District in the House.<\/p>\n
“Coronavirus has upended daily life and increased the threat of gun violence in our communities,” said Renée Hopkins, CEO of the Alliance for Gun Responsibility, in a news release. “Across the state, candidates are recognizing that prioritizing the health and safety of our communities must also include prioritizing gun violence prevention. That is as true during COVID-19 as ever. We need strong leaders at the local and federal level who will promote public education about the crisis of gun violence and ensure effective implementation of our gun safety laws through this uncertain time and beyond.”<\/p>\n
The Alliance for Gun Responsibility Victory Fund was established to build gun responsibility majorities in Olympia and at every level of government. Candidates were asked to complete a questionnaire and participate in an interview with Victory Fund staff before receiving an endorsement.<\/p>\n
“We are proud to see that, in this unprecedented moment, more candidates than ever are realizing that gun violence prevention is not only an urgent issue, but a winning one,” said Stephanie Ervin, political director at the Alliance for Gun Responsibility Victory Fund. “Washingtonians have long recognized the need for action to prevent gun violence. We’re encouraged to see candidates joining the movement for gun safety.”<\/p>\n
The group also has endorsed Democrat Jay Inslee for governor and Democrat Joe Biden for president.<\/p>\n