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About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (April 11, 2018)
April 11, 2018 The Skanner Page 9 News Democrats in GOP Country Shift Toward Gun Restrictions AP PHOTO/NATI HARNIK Once considered a liability, a moderate stance on gun control is becoming an asset in spring primaries Kara Eastman, one of two Democrats vying to challenge House Republican incumbent Don Bacon, R-Neb., in a district centered in Omaha, Neb., speaks April 5 at rally in Omaha, Neb. Just 18 months after declaring his opposition to banning assault weapons, Nebraska Democrat Brad Ashford has changed his mind. But make no mistake, Ashford’s conversion comes as he’s being challenged aggressively by Eastman, an ardent gun-control advocate who’s frustration with Congress failure to act is echoing throughout once safe GOP territory and illustrating the fast-emerging belief among Democrats that they cannot win in this supercharged environment without embracing gun control. By Thomas Beaumont Associated Press OMAHA, Nebraska — Just 18 months aft er declaring his opposi- tion to banning assault weapons, Nebraska Dem- ocrat Brad Ashford has changed his mind. The former one-term congressman, now try- ing to win back an Oma- ha-area seat he lost in 2016, used to consider it futile to push for a ban while Republicans held power on Capitol Hill. But the student activism that has followed the rampage at a school in Parkland, Florida, has changed his thinking in a way that other high-pro- fi le shootings, including two in his hometown since 2007, had not. Ashford’s conversion mirrors the one under- way in his party. Not long ago, a moderate record on guns would have been considered a plus for a Democratic candidate in the GOP-leaning sub- urbs and conservative outskirts of Nebraska’s largest city. Today, even with Ashford’s reversal, it’s a vulnerability that his opponent in the May 15 Democratic primary has been quick to exploit. “ We need leaders who are going to stand up and fi ght for the kids That contest, along with races in Virginia, rural Pennsylvania and other places where gun control has been taboo, shows how far the Dem- ocratic Party has trav- eled on this issue. The November elections will test whether Democrats will make room for can- didates who don’t back all gun control measures. “He should have been stronger on this,” said Kara Eastman, the 46-year-old political new- comer running against Ashford, a 68-year-old former Republican, for the Democratic nomina- tion in the 2nd Congres- sional District. “We need leaders who are going to stand up and fi ght for the kids.” Eastman, director of a children’s nonprofi t group and a community college board member, has focused her message on suburban women and young people. She and other progressives, en- ergized by rallies across the country, say they the best way to turn out vot- ers is to off er a contrast to pro-gun Republicans. “Women have had it with what’s going on,” said Crystal Rhoades, the Douglas County Demo- cratic Party chairwoman who supports Eastman. “They’re mad that they have to worry about sending their kids to school out of fear they’ll be murdered.” Polling shows there’s little disagreement among Democrats on the question of stricter gun laws. A poll last month by The Associated Press- NORC Center for Public Aff airs Research found that 69 percent of those surveyed, including 90 percent of Democrats, think gun laws in the U.S. should be tightened. There are political risks. The Omaha district represented by Repub- lican Don Bacon has a healthy number of gun owners, and that could make Eastman’s call for comprehensive gun con- trol a problem for her if she advances to the general election. The GOP-leaning district in- cludes a portion of a ru- ral county south of the city where many active duty and retired military personnel from Off utt See GUNS on page 11 information is powerful A career you can be proud of. Being a carpenter isn’t just a job. It’s a way of life. We’re devoted to strengthening the lives of our members with steady work, wealth and personal growth. We take a stand for our members and all workers. We work together to lead the building industry in safety, training and compensation. We create rich lives for our members and partners. the power is in your hands. To learn more about becoming a union carpenter, go to NWCarpenters.org. PORTLAND: 1636 East Burnside, Portland, OR 97214 | 503.261.1862 HEADQUARTERS: 25120 Pacifi c Hwy S, #200, Kent, WA 98032 | 253.954.8800 More than 20,000 members in the Pacifi c Northwest. NEWS
