Beto O'Rourke features Uvalde victims' families in new statewide campaign ad
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A new statewide campaign ad for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke features relatives of Uvalde school shooting victims, who implore Texans to vote for O’Rourke because of his support for gun control measures.
Since the May 24 shooting that left 19 children and two teachers dead, the families of the victims have demanded that lawmakers pass legislation to raise the minimum age to purchase semi-automatic rifles from 18 to 21, enact red flag laws and implement universal background checks for gun purchases.
Republicans, including Gov. Greg Abbott, have rejected their pleas, arguing that such measures would be unconstitutional. Abbott reiterated that stance Friday in the only scheduled debate of the race. Gun control activists, however, point to Republican-led states such as Florida that have enacted laws limiting access to assault-style rifles.
In the new campaign ad that launched in TV markets statewide Monday, parents and other relatives of Uvalde victims proclaim their support for O’Rourke.
“On May 24, our children's voices were silenced,” one parent says after video clips showing the shooting victims playing.
“We never wanted to be on camera. ... We're not political people. ... But we have to fight for change, because no child is safe in their school while Greg Abbott is governor," they say in the ad.
About 35 relatives of Uvalde victims joined O’Rourke to show their support for him on Friday in Edinburg, hours before the debate.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Beto O'Rourke features Uvalde victims' families in new campaign ad
