Giffords endorses Murphy, praising him for gun control legislation

Yesterday evening, Gov. Phil Murphy received the endorsement of former Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-AZ), one of the country’s most prominent gun control advocates since she was nearly killed in a 2011 mass shooting.

“Since being sworn into office in 2018, Phil has taken tremendous steps to combat gun violence and make New Jersey safer,” Giffords said in her endorsement. “Phil doesn’t just talk the talk, he walks the walk, and he’s proven that over his first term.”

Yesterday’s announcement marks the second time Giffords has endorsed the governor. In 2017, Giffords backed Murphy and called him a “strong advocate for responsible gun violence prevention policies.” 

New Jersey’s tight gun laws have become a major talking point in this year’s gubernatorial election, with Republican gubernatorial nominee Jack Ciattarelli saying the existing laws infringe on 2nd Amendment rights and Murphy warning that Ciattarelli’s plans would make the state less safe.

The endorsement from Giffords is the latest in a series Murphy has received this cycle from gun safety advocates and groups; already in Murphy’s corner are Brady PAC, Moms Demand Action, and Fred Guttenberg, whose daughter was killed in the 2018 Parkland school shooting.