Pride Fund endorses Soto, Demings and Smith
Gun safety reform group was formed in the aftermath of Pulse
The Pride Fund to End Gun Violence endorsed three more Democratic candidates in Central Florida on Thursday.
The organization, formed after the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando in 2016 and the only national LGBT group focused solely on gun reform, endorsed U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, D-Kissimmee; U.S. Rep. Val Demings, D-Orlando; and state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, DOrlando.
The group had previously endorsed U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Winter Park, and Democratic state House candidate Anna Eskamani, running in District 47, in their races this year.
“We support Soto, Demings, and Smith for re-election because of their demonstrated commitment to the shared ideals of so many Americans: equality for all citizens and the support of commonsense gun laws to keep everyone safe,” said Jason Lindsay, Pride Fund founder and executive director.
“These candidates value the safety of their constituents and are leading the fight for gun reform. We need more elected leaders like them in Congress and our State legislatures.”
Soto said in a statement, “I’m proud to stand by all victims of gun violence, and to work with all my heart to stop the killing. We need common sense gun reform immediately, and I will not rest until that happens. … We will overcome the fear-mongering, lies, and the money arrayed against us. And we will pass new laws that save countless lives.”
Demings said she was “honored to stand together” with the group, while Smith said “addressing the epidemic of gun violence is a top issue for LGBTQ voters.”
Soto faces former congressman Alan Grayson in the Aug. 28 Democratic primary for District 9, and Republican Wayne Liebnitsky is unopposed in his primary.
Val Demings faces Wade Darius in the Democratic primary for District 10. There is no Republican candidate.
Smith is unopposed in his primary and will face Republican Ben Griffin in November.