Days after mass shooting, candidate totes rifle in ad
Wall, a top contender in primary to replace Poe, reiterates gun rights after backlash
A leading contender for a Houston-area congressional seat is offering no regrets for putting out a campaign mailer and television ads showing her with a rifle just days after the horrific killings at a school in Parkland, Fla.
In the mailers, there are two pictures of Kathaleen Wall holding weapons on the front and back, with a statement saying: “Kathaleen Wall stands with Donald Trump: We must be vigilant to protect gun rights.”
The mailer, produced days before the Parkland shooting, goes on to state: “Every day we are up against those who would take away our freedoms, restrict our liberties, and even those who want to abolish the Second Amendment.”
In addition, Wall has a television commercial that shows her slowing aiming and firing a rifle.
“Ready, aim, breathe in, breathe out, gently squeeze trigger and fire,” a narrator says as a black and white image of Wall fires her weapon.
Some people — including some saying they are Republican voters — have taken issue
with the ads on social media, blasting her for insensitive timing and poor taste.
“I support the 2nd amendment but in light of the recent tragedy I find your ad with you firing a gun troubling and bad taste. I am a Republican,” one person said on Facebook.
Others have supported her, and Wall’s campaign is not backing down, only reiterating her support for gun rights.
“First we are incredibly saddened at the scenes in Parkland, Fla.,” said Matt Langston, a spokesman for Wall’s campaign.
“What happened there on Wednesday is both a tragedy and a frustrating reminder that Americans must unite to improve mental health outcomes, recognize and act on warning signs for those in difficulty, and engage in productive debate on how to put heinous events like this to an end,” he added.
Wall wrote about the school shooting on Facebook the day it happened, saying in part: “I cannot begin to understand the pain that was caused by the evil actions we saw today. While dark moments like these cause pain and suffering, we all can be inspired by the heroic actions displayed in the face of danger by students, teachers, and first responders who selflessly risked their own safety to help in this crisis.”
Wall is one of nine Republicans running in the 2nd Congressional District primary on March 6. They are seeking to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Ted Poe, a Republican, who has represented an area that stretches from west Houston, north to the edge of the Harris County line and east to Atascocita and Humble.
Wall’s ads are hitting just days after the National Rifle Association’s Political Victory Fund formally endorsed Kevin Roberts in the 2nd Congressional District.
“As an ardent supporter and defender of the Second Amendment and based on your leadership of Second Amendment issues in the Texas House of Representatives, you have earned an ‘A’ rating from NRAPVF,” an endorsement letter signed by NRA-PVF chairman Chris W. Cox from last week said.