Former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords lends support to Clinton
Jan 30, 2016, 1:27 PM
In this file photo from Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016, former Arizona Rep. Gabby Giffords arrives in the East Room of the White House in Washington to hear President Obama speak about steps his administration is taking to reduce gun violence. In past five years, Giffords has hiked the Grand Canyon, raced in a 40-mile bike ride, sky dived and founded an advocacy group that helped convince President Obama to take executive action on gun control. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
(AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords has endorsed Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination for President.
Giffords and her husband Mark Kelly are expected to appear at a rally for Clinton in Iowa on Saturday.
Backstage in Ames, IA w/ @ShuttleCDRKelly & excited to stand w/@HillaryClinton and tell Iowans why #ImWithHer. pic.twitter.com/IGJIQMo2S6
— Gabrielle Giffords (@GabbyGiffords) January 30, 2016
Giffords represented Arizona’s 8th congressional district from 2007-2012. In Jan. 2011, she survived an assassination attempt that left her with a severe brain injury.
Since the shooting, Giffords and her husband became prominent gun control advocates.
Clinton wants caucus-goers to make gun control a “voting issue.” She’s tried to portray fellow Democrat Bernie Sanders as a National Rifle Association ally by citing his votes against a waiting period for gun purchases and for granting gun manufacturers legal immunity.
Sanders now supports efforts to repeal that immunity and says he’s been a tough opponent of the pro-gun lobby.
Polls show a tight race between Clinton and Sanders in Iowa.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
