VICTORY FOR GUN SAFETY: Seven Moms Demand Action Volunteers Won Elections In Rhode Island 

More than One Hundred Twenty-Five Newly Elected Volunteers Join Growing Ranks of Moms Demand Action Volunteers Elected to Office Since Its Founding in 2012, Part of 275+ Volunteers who Ran for Office This Cycle

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

RHODE ISLAND – Seven current or former Rhode Island Moms Demand Action volunteers running for office up and down the ballot won in this week’s elections, including five running for seats in the General Assembly. With votes still being counted in many places, more than 125 Moms Demand Action volunteers from across the country won election for office up and down the ballot so far in this week’s elections, highlighting the political power of Moms Demand Action volunteers as candidates for office themselves. 

“Rhode Island Moms Demand Action volunteers have become a political powerhouse, playing a key role in passing historic gun safety legislation this summer then turning around to elect seven of our own to office and maintain our gun sense majorities,” said Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action. “I’m especially proud of these volunteers who have made the step from advocating for gun safety to being the elected leaders writing laws themselves. The only red wave to hit Rhode Island has been the ubiquitous Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action shirts.” 

“After helping countless gun sense candidates win their races, these Rhode Island volunteers took matters into their own hands and made the leap to elected office,” said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. “These gun sense champions can count on Everytown’s full support as they push for lifesaving laws in Providence, just as we’ve counted on their support to build a nationwide movement that is only growing stronger.” 

“Because of our strong grassroots movement, our newly elected volunteers have ensured that Rhode Island has a strong gun sense majority in both chambers,” said Amy Herlihy, a volunteer with the Moms Demand chapter in Rhode Island. “We did not take anything for granted this election, and we are committed to building a legislature that will champion common sense gun safety laws that will protect our communities and save lives.” 

Everytown-endorsed Moms Demand Action volunteers who won their races Tuesday include:

– Justine Caldwell – State Representative, RI-HD-030

– Teresa Ann Tanzi – State Representative, RI-HD-034 

– Jennifer Boylan – State Representative, RI-HD-066

– Pamela Lauria – State Senator, RI-SD-032 

– Bridget Valverde – State Senator, RI-SD-035 

– Patricia Alley – Town Council South Kingstown

– Matthew McCoy – Town Council North Kingstown

Last year, Everytown for Gun Safety Victory Fund launched “Demand a Seat,” a program to train grassroots volunteers and gun violence survivors to take the next step in their advocacy efforts by running for office and working on campaigns to elect gun sense candidates. The program invested $3 million in educational training and mentorship opportunities for grassroots volunteers considering campaigns at the local, state, and federal levels. More information on Demand a Seat can be found here.

Since 2017, hundreds of Moms Demand Action volunteer leaders have run for elected office and dozens have won seats – from town council and school board to U.S. Congress.