- Press Release
March For Our Lives Announces Endorsements in Florida
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NEW YORK, NY — Today, March For Our Lives is excited to endorse several candidates running for office in Florida ahead of the 2024 election. These candidates have shown a strong commitment to combating extremism, listening to young people, and prioritizing our lives, and have demonstrated a commitment to fighting the gun violence epidemic while in office. Our Florida endorsements follow our support for candidates in Arizona, Michigan, and New York, announced earlier last week. March For Our Lives is proud to endorse these candidates and to rally the youth vote behind them to ensure we have leaders in the halls of power who will stand up for our freedoms and fight for our lives.
March For Our Lives is proud to endorse Debbie Mucarsel-Powel for US Senate, Maxwell Frost for FL-10, and Whitney Fox for FL-13.
US Senate: Former Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powel
Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, whose father was tragically shot and killed, is a fierce advocate for gun violence prevention. She served as the vice chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, introduced legislation to encourage firearms dealers to adopt responsible business practices, prioritized funding for community violence intervention programs, and fought for background checks, safe storage, and banning assault weapons. Since leaving Congress, she’s worked at GIFFORDS as a senior adviser, fighting against gun violence and prioritizing our lives.
In contrast, Senator Rick Scott has continuously put the gun lobby over our safety. Even though, as governor, he bucked the gun lobby to support the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Act, he has since fallen in line to vehemently oppose common-sense legislation like assault weapons bans and universal background checks. He even went so far as to vote against the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, legislation that had broad support across both sides of the aisle that was passed following the tragic shootings in Uvalde and Buffalo. Sen. Scott has morphed into an extremist bar none, and he must be defeated.
Florida’s 10th Congressional District: Congressman Maxwell Frost
Maxwell Frost, who just so happens to be March For Our Lives’ former Organizing Director, made history as the first member of Generation Z and the first Afro-Cuban elected to Congress at just 25 years old. His journey as an activist began at 15, following the tragic Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, igniting his lifelong fight against gun violence. This commitment deepened after the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando in 2016 and his own experience surviving a gun violence incident in downtown Orlando. In his time with March For Our Lives, Frost was a national leader for youth organizing and gun safety prevention, taking the fight from our schools and neighborhoods straight to the halls of power—even sitting in at state capitols to get our message across that our lives are not disposable. In Congress, the first bill he introduced was to create the Office of Gun Violence Prevention at the White House, something he had fought for with youth activists at MFOL, and in September 2023, he stood alongside President Biden, along with MFOL activists, as the President announced the creation of the office. He is a true activist-leader, and we’re proud to support his candidacy for Congress.
Florida’s 13th Congressional District: Whitney Fox
Whitney Fox is a fierce advocate who is committed to fighting against gun violence and prioritizing young people’s lives. We’ve been awed by her determination to champion lifesaving bills like universal background checks, safe storage laws, extreme risk protection orders, and closing dangerous background loopholes. Fox also understands the importance of breaking cycles of violence and we’re pleased to see her push for increased funding for community violence intervention programs in schools and communities.
Meanwhile, her opponent, Congresswoman Luna, is an NRA-backed candidate who has continued to oppose any type of gun safety legislation. Instead of working to reduce violence and pass common-sense reforms, she has stood firmly with the gun lobby—even proudly wearing pins depicting an AR-15. This callous disregard for human life in the face of tragedy, and her prioritization of lobbyist interests over the lives of our children, underscores the critical importance of this race.
Since our founding, March For Our Lives has repeatedly driven youth voter turnout to record highs, and the 2024 election will be no different. Gun violence remains a top issue for young voters, ranking among the top three issues nationwide this election cycle. By securing our endorsement, these candidates are putting themselves in the best possible position to win the youth vote. We’re excited to leverage the muscle of our nationwide network of young people to make calls, knock on doors, and support candidates committed to gun safety and fighting for our lives.
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