Updated Jul 26, 2018

Everytown invested $1.35 million in Lucy McBath's congressional race

Alexi McCammond

Democratic nominee for Congress Lucy McBath. Photo: Leigh Vogel/Getty Images

Everytown for Gun Safety invested $1.35 million in Lucy McBath's campaign for Congress in Georgia's 6th district ahead of the primary and run-off, which she won.

Why it matters: The group is going all-in on the midterms, but this is their first major investment in a congressional candidate. Her victory suggests that gun violence is a winning issue in 2018. McBath's son, then-17-year-old Jordan Davis, was shot and killed in Florida in 2012 by a man at a gas station over a dispute about Davis playing music loudly from his car.

McBath has volunteered with Everytown and Moms Demand Action since 2013, but is on leave since running for Congress. The group recently endorsed 16 state and local candidates, which will come with some financial investment.

What they're saying: Everytown CEO John Feinblatt said they're going to continue supporting McBath's campaign through the general election in November. "Voters want candidates who side with gun safety over the NRA," Feinblatt said.

Since her son's death, McBath has been a leading voice on gun violence. She spoke at the Democratic National Convention in 2016 with other mothers affected by gun violence.
"You’re going to see young people come out and vote in November, and I can assure you the mass shooting generation is going to be a single-issue voter," Feinblatt added.

Be smart: Democrats were crushed when Jon Ossoff lost the congressional special election in Georgia's 6th district in 2017. McBath is giving them new hope in finally reclaiming that seat, which would be crucial to taking back the House.

Go deeper: Youth voter registration spiked in battleground states after Parkland.

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Everytown invested $1.35 million in Lucy McBath's congressional race

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