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Josh Shapiro, Everytown-Supported Gun Sense Candidate, Wins in Pennsylvania 

11.9.2022

Everytown Supported Josh Shapiro as Part of a $2.1 Million Investment in Pennsylvania this Election, Successfully Defeating Gun Lobby-Backed Doug Mastriano 

Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action Volunteers Made Over Six Million Voter Contacts to Support Gun Sense Candidates Across the Country

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Everytown for Gun Safety Victory Fund and Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund, and its grassroots networks, Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, declared a major victory today as voters rejected gun lobby-backed Doug Mastriano and elected Attorney General Josh Shapiro as the Governor of Pennsylvania. 

“In choosing a proven gun sense champion over an extremist who takes his cues from the gun lobby, Pennsylvania voters made it clear where they stand on this issue,” said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. “Everytown was proud to support Governor-elect Shapiro’s campaign, and we’re eager to work with him to protect Pennsylvanians from the horrors of gun violence.” 

“As Attorney General, Josh Shapiro leveraged all the tools at his disposal to advance gun safety in the state of Pennsylvania,said Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action. “His strong record as a gun sense champion meant that Moms Demand Action volunteers knew his leadership as Pennsylvania’s next governor was critical to continuing their important work in the state, and they went all out to get him elected. We look forward to continuing to work with Governor-elect Shapiro to make Pennsylvania safer for all.”

 “Josh Shapiro recognizes the urgency needed to address the gun violence epidemic in our state, and we know that he will implement evidence-based solutions to keep us safe,” said Gina Pelusi, a volunteer with the Pennsylvania chapter of Moms Demand Action whose mother, Ruthanne Lodato, was shot and killed answering a knock at the front door of their home in 2014.“We will continue to be Governor-Elect Shapiro’s partner in the fight to end gun violence.”

Everytown spent more than $2.1 million in  Pennsylvania this election, including support for Attorney General Josh Shapiro. Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action volunteers made over six million voter contacts through phone calls, text messages, door knocks, and more across the country this election cycle to support gun sense candidates up and down the ballot. 

As part of its efforts this election cycle, Everytown also released polling this fall showing that the vast majority of voters in Pennsylvania support common-sense gun safety laws, including 95% for background checks on all gun sales. More information is available here.  

Read more about Everytown’s electoral engagement in Pennsylvania this cycle here.