Gabby Giffords stumps for Harris, Democrats in Grand Rapids

Former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords speaks at a campaign event for Vice President Kamala Harris in Grand Rapids on July 29, 2024. | Lucy Valeski

Gun control advocate former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords campaigned Monday for Vice President Kamala Harris in Grand Rapids, headlining a community violence prevention press conference and a women voter mobilization event. 

The former Arizona representative, who survived a mass shooting in 2011, addressed her advocacy for gun safety and the importance of voting in the upcoming election. She made a stop in Rochester Hills on Sunday to stump for Harris after her gun safety organization, Giffords, unveiled a $15 million campaign for the vice president’s White House bid on Friday. 

“We are at a crossroads,” Giffords said. “We let the shooting continue, or we can act. We can protect our families, our future. We can vote. We can be on the right side of history. Please join us in this fight.”   

Since President Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential campaign on July 21, support for Harris has grown in Michigan. She picked up votes from Michigan’s Democratic delegates Tuesday evening, and the campaign doubled the amount of volunteers in the state in the 48 hours following Biden’s departure. 

Giffords is married to U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), who is reportedly in the running to be Harris’ vice presidential pick. 

They have said (Vice President Kamala Harris) can't be president because she's never given birth. Which, neither did the 46 presidents who came before.

– U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-Grand Rapids)

Both Harris and former President Donald Trump are hoping to win over Michigan in the presidential election. Trump picked up Michigan’s 15 electoral points in 2016 over Hillary Clinton, but Biden defeated the former president in 2021. West Michigan in particular has received a lot of attention from the campaigns, with both Trump and Harris making appearances in the area in July. 

“It is difficult for either party to win the presidency without winning Michigan,” said Michigan Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids), who spoke at the second event. “And, you know this in this room, it’s difficult to win Michigan without winning Kent County. So that does put a little extra pressure on us, but it also means that we have a unique and extraordinary opportunity.”

Giffords and first-term U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-Grand Rapids) made two campaign stops in Grand Rapids Monday. The events focused on laying out the stakes for voters in the 2024 general election. 

“Today is 99 days away from one of the most consequential elections of our lifetime, and women are going to play one of the biggest roles in this election than we’ve ever played in the history of our nation,” Brinks said. 

The Democratic Party has leaned in to highlighting the Project 2025, a presidential transition plan drafted by the far-right Heritage Foundation. The plan includes a total abortion ban and disbanding the Department of Education, amongst a lengthy list of other conservative measures. Trump has denied knowledge of the plan, but CNN connected Project 2025 to his former administration.  

The first campaign event of the afternoon focused on preventing gun violence and electing a Democratic majority in the U.S. House and and keeping control of the Senate. Scholten, who is up for reelection this year, spoke about gun control, alongside Giffords, Grand Rapids Second Ward Commissioners Milinda Ysasi and Lisa Knight and other local gun violence advocates. 

“This election will be decisive,” Scholten said. “The choice we make when we cast our ballots this November will determine the future that we forge for our children. This is a pivotal moment in America. We owe it to our kids and future generations to vote for a future unmarked by gun violence.” 

U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-Grand Rapids) speaks at a campaign event for Vice President Kamala Harris in Grand Rapids on July 29, 2024. | Lucy Valeski

Former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords and U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-Grand Rapids) at a press conference about advocating for gun violence prevention in Grand Rapids on July 29, 2024. | Lucy Valeski

Grand Rapids Second Ward Comissioner Lisa Knight talks about local efforts to curb gun violence in Grand Rapids on July 29, 2024. | Lucy Valeski

Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) speaks at a campaign event for Vice President Kamala Harris in Grand Rapids on July 29, 2024. | Lucy Valeski

Former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords and U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-Grand Rapids) at a press conference about advocating for gun violence prevention in Grand Rapids on July 29, 2024. | Lucy Valeski

Jacqueline Kelley, a volunteer with Mothers on a Mission to Stop the Violence, spoke about her advocacy in Grand Rapids on July 29, 2024. | Lucy Valeski

U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-Grand Rapids) talks about gun control legislation in Grand Rapids on July 29, 2024. | Lucy Valeski

Former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords speaks at a press conference about advocating for gun violence prevention in Grand Rapids on July 29, 2024. | Lucy Valeski

Grand Rapids Second Ward Comissioner Milinda Ysasi talks about local efforts to curb gun violence in Grand Rapids on July 29, 2024. | Lucy Valeski

Former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords and U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-Grand Rapids) at a press conference about advocating for gun violence prevention in Grand Rapids on July 29, 2024. | Lucy Valeski

Former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords speaks at a press conference about advocating for gun violence prevention in Grand Rapids on July 29, 2024. | Lucy Valeski

Scholten outlined plans to pass bills requiring safe storage of guns background checks for gun purchases, in addition to banning assault weapons in another term in the U.S. House. However, she said voters will need to elect a Democratic majority in the House and Senate and propel Harris to the White House to pass that policy. 

On July 11, Scholten called for Biden to drop out of the race before any other Democratic lawmaker in Michigan’s congressional delegation. She told the Advance the swap with Harris leading the ticket has brought more volunteers and resources to the Democratic presidential campaign.

She also said the excitement for Harris’s presidential campaign exceeded her expectations. 

“People are really fired up and excited about change,” Scholten said to the Advance. “Who we have in the White House is going to make a huge, huge difference in our ability to enact change like we want to see around gun safety.”

The second campaign event for Giffords and Scholten drew in women voters from Grand Rapids. Some attendees gave Giffords a standing ovation when she entered. 

Scholten told the audience she believed Harris was the most qualified candidate for the presidency and encouraged voters to not pay attention to people who attacked her race or gender. 

“They have said she can’t be president because she’s never given birth,” Scholten said. “Which, neither did the 46 presidents who came before.”