The Minnesota Gun Owners Political Action Committee Monday announced their endorsement of three State Senators and six State Representatives that have “proven themselves as leaders for gun rights in Minnesota.”
The PAC is releasing additional endorsements later this week, but chose to release nine “honorable mentions” prior, including one Democrat:
- Senator David Osmek – Senate District 33, Republican Party of Minnesota
- Senator Warren Limmer – Senate District 34, Republican Party of Minnesota
- Senator Jim Abeler – Senate District 35, Republican Party of Minnesota
- Rep. Tom Anzelc – House District 5B, Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
- Rep. Jim Newberger – House District 15B, Republican Party of Minnesota
- Rep. Steve Drazkowski – House District 21B, Republican Party of Minnesota
- Rep. Tony Cornish – House District 23B, Republican Party of Minnesota
- Rep. Jerry Hertaus – House District 33A, Republican Party of Minnesota
- Rep. Jim Nash – House District 47A, Republican Party of Minnesota
Representative Nash, who is gearing up to push for gun legislation during the 2017 legislative session, tells Alpha News, “I’m honored and pleased to receive this endorsement and will be working hard to advance Second Amendment rights in the upcoming legislative session. Working with solid pro Second Amendment groups like the Gun Owners Caucus is a great resource and I know they have the Second Amendment interests of Minnesotans in mind at all times.”
Chair of the Gun Owners PAC Bryan Strawser tells Alpha News they use several criteria to determine which lawmakers to endorse, saying, “Our endorsement process is based on a comprehensive review of a number of factors, including a candidate’s survey responses, their public statements and past voting record in office, their sponsorship of pro-gun rights legislation, and the leadership shown by the candidate in advancing and defending the constitutional rights of gun owners in Minnesota. We also review the candidate’s website and campaign literature to understand the importance of the Second Amendment to their campaign. In addition, grades and endorsements of other credible gun rights organizations are taken into account.”
Strawser says the PAC will release the remainder of the Senate endorsements on Tuesday and the House endorsements on Wednesday.
