Governors Races 2006: Who Will Hold The Veto Pens

This year there are a number of key governors races where NRA members can send pro-gun candidates to victory. Let’s look at some of them.

MIDWEST

IOWA:

ELECT JIM NUSSLE

In almost 16 years in the U.S. Congress, Jim Nussle has had a or a+ ratings from nra-pvf. He has a voting record second-to-none in his support for our Right to Keep and Bear Arms. He opposed passage of the Clinton gun ban and later voted to repeal it. He stood firm when the anti-gun minority tried to make gun shows a thing of the past. He voted to prohibit the politically motivated lawsuits that sought to punish lawful firearms makers and dealers for the actions of criminals.

As befits a leader from a state with a strong hunting tradition, Congressman Nussle has always supported the rights of hunters. He has worked to ensure that federal lands are kept open to hunting and that tax dollars provided for and by hunters are used to enhance hunting and habitat for game animals. Gun owners and sportsmen can be assured that as governor, Jim Nussle will continue fighting for our interests.

MINNESOTA:

RE-ELECT TIM PAWLENTY

Since his election as governor in 2002, Tim Pawlenty has always stood with gun owners on important issues. He signed Right-to-Carry legislation in 2003 and, when it was struck down due to procedural technicalities, he championed passage of the bill and signed it again in 2005. That year, he also signed legislation to protect shooting ranges from encroachment by new development.

In 2004, Gov. Pawlenty supported and signed legislation to restore dove hunting in Minnesota for the first time in almost 60 years. He also hosts an annual Governor’s Deer Hunting Opener to promote hunting in Minnesota. Gun owners and sportsmen have a true friend in Tim Pawlenty, and he has earned their strong support for re-election.

WISCONSIN:

ELECT MARK GREEN

Since his election to the U.S. Congress in 1998, Mark Green has unflinchingly protected the interests of gun owners and sportsmen. He has voted against efforts to restrict or eliminate gun shows, restore Second Amendment rights where those rights have been infringed, prevent predatory lawsuits against the firearms industry, and prohibit any government authority from confiscating a lawfully owned firearm during a time of emergency. He has promised support for state constitutional amendments to protect the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, and to protect the right to hunt and fish. Mark Green’s dedication to the Second Amendment was displayed at the 2006 NRA Annual Meetings. His stirring remarks can be seen at www.nrapvf.org.

Mark Green stands ready to sign Right-to-Carry in Wisconsin. His opponent, Jim Doyle, has twice vetoed Right-to-Carry bills, in spite of broad support in the legislature. His defiance of the majority and his disregard for the rights of Wisconsinites to defend themselves and their families against violent criminals prove it’s time to “Dump Doyle,” and elect Mark Green.

ILLINOIS:

ELECT JUDY BAAR TOPINKA

In Illinois, gun owners don’t only face hostile legislators from Chicago, they also must contend with the rabidly anti-gun policies of Gov. Rod Blagojevich. But this year they have a great choice for governor. Judy Baar Topinka has been an nra-pvf a-rated legislator for nearly 25 years. She fought for gun owners in Illinois when the odds were against her and has never failed to oppose the knee-jerk anti-gun policies that are always promoted in the Illinois Legislature. Gun owners have the opportunity to elect a strong ally by voting for Judy Baar Topinka on November 7.

NEBRASKA:

ELECT DAVE HEINEMAN

Dave Heineman is a clear example of why it is important to support pro-gun candidates at all levels. When pro-gun Gov. Mike Johanns left Lincoln to become the U.S. secretary of agriculture, the equally pro-gun Heineman was elevated to the governor’s office. Heineman then proceeded to sign Right-to-Carry legislation that gun owners had worked long and hard to pass in the state Legislature. His support for this vital legislation should be rewarded with strong support from gun owners on November 7.

WEST

COLORADO:

ELECT BOB BEAUPREZ

With term-limited pro-gun Gov. Bill Owens leaving office, gun owners and sportsmen in Colorado don’t have to lose a strong voice in Denver. They can keep that by voting for nra-pvf a-rated Congressman Bob Beauprez for Colorado governor. As a member of Congress, Beauprez has always supported gun owners’ rights—voting to stop reckless lawsuits intended to bankrupt the firearm industry, stop gun confiscation during times of emergency, and protect our hunting heritage. Beauprez says:

“One of the founding notions of this country was that, unlike other democracies that had been tried before us, we were going to trust our citizenry with the right to arm and defend themselves. . . . I believe that the Second Amendment was intended not only for sporting purposes, like hunting, but for the self-defense of free peoples without unwarranted interference by government.”

NEW MEXICO:

RE-ELECT BILL RICHARDSON

As governor of New Mexico, Bill Richardson has signed a number of key bills to advance gun owners’ rights. He was one of the driving forces behind the passage of Right-to-Carry in 2003, and in 2005, he paid a visit to the NRA Whittington Center in Raton to sign a Right-to-Carry reform bill. Gun owners should help re-elect Gov. Bill Richardson this November.

WYOMING:

RE-ELECT DAVE FREUDENTHAL

As governor of Wyoming, Dave Freudenthal has proven to be a solid advocate of Second Amendment rights and our hunting heritage. He has taken the batfe to court over the state’s right to restore firearm rights, and has supported sportsmen’s rights against those who would use their tax dollars for non-hunting-related programs. Gun owners should give strong support to Gov. Freudenthal on Election Day.

ALASKA:

ELECT SARAH PALIN

NRA Life Member Sarah Palin, who receives an "A" rating from the NRA-PVF, is a vocal supporter of the Second Amendment and actively participates with her family in the hunting and fishing sports. She is also a staunch supporter of firearms safety programs for Alaska's youth. Her leadership skills as two-term mayor of Wasilla were recognized by her political peers who elected her president of the Alaska Conference of Mayors. Alaska's gun owners and sportsmen can count on Sarah Palin to fight along side them to protect our Right to Keep and Bear Arms.

SOUTH

ARKANSAS:

ELECT ASA HUTCHINSON

Former U.S. Congressman Asa Hutchinson is running to replace retiring pro-gun Gov. Mike Huckabee. During his tenure in Congress, Rep. Hutchinson voted to protect gun shows, protect the privacy of gun owners and against campaign finance “reform” that limits our First Amendment rights. Gun owners can count on Hutchinson to continue to support our right to hunt and to protect our individual Right to Keep and Bear Arms.

SOUTH CAROLINA:

RE-ELECT MARK SANFORD

After serving six years in the U.S. Congress, where he voted to repeal the Clinton gun ban and against efforts to regulate gun shows out of existence, Mark Sanford was elected governor in 2002. Since then, he has signed a repeal of the nation’s first “one-gun-a-month law” and in 2006 signed Castle Doctrine legislation to protect the right of South Carolinians to defend themselves from criminal attack. Gun owners should give their strong support to the re-election of Gov. Mark Sanford.

GEORGIA:

RE-ELECT SONNY PERDUE

Gov. Sonny Perdue has been a strong friend of gun owners and sportsmen long before he was elected governor in 2002. Since then, he has continued his support by signing Castle Doctrine legislation to protect our right to self-defense, No-Net-Loss legislation to protect the availability of hunting lands, and the Sportsmen Voter Registration Act to enhance sportsmen’s participation in the electoral process. He has earned the support of gun owners for re-election in 2006.

TEXAS:

RE-ELECT RICK PERRY

Since succeeding President Bush as governor of Texas, Rick Perry has consistently supported issues important to gun owners and sportsmen. He has signed numerous bills to enhance firearms owners’ rights, and support and promote hunting. In 2005 alone, he signed nine key bills. Among those: three bills to reform Right-to-Carry permits including lengthening of the term from four to five years; reform of state law regarding carrying in a vehicle; a bill to increase the number of states that recognize Texas carry permits and protect hunter access to land annexed by municipalities. Gun owners should give their enthusiastic support to re-elect Gov. Rick Perry on November 7.

ALABAMA:

RE-ELECT BOB RILEY

Gov. Bob Riley is a strong ally of gun owners. As a U.S. congressman, he voted against the Clinton gun ban, and later voted to repeal it. Gov. Riley has shown an unwavering commitment to preserving our firearm rights. During his first term as governor, Bob Riley has consistently stood-up for gun owners’ rights. In 2006 he signed Castle Doctrine legislation, which protects our right to self-defense. Gov. Riley has earned the vote of gun owners.