See below for comments and thoughts by Virginia politicians about the school shootings in Santa Fe, Texas this morning.
Sen. Tim Kaine (D)
“My heart breaks for the Santa Fe High School community. We can’t go on like this any longer. For the sake of our kids, we must come together to take action that will reduce gun violence. Enough.”
Sen. Mark Warner (D)
“We shouldn’t accept a reality where phrases like ‘another school shooting’ are just part of daily life. My heart is with the people of Santa Fe, because these kids and their families are going through hell. But frankly, that doesn’t feel like it’s enough. This has got to stop.”
Nick Freitas for U.S. Senate (R) (note: Freitas hasn’t commented specifically on El Paso, but after the news broke, he did tweet this)
“I was fortunate to speak with @CamAndCompany this week about the NRA-PVF’s endorsement of my campaign for U.S. Senate, the proper role of government, and our Second Amendment rights.”
E.W. Jackson, Sr. for U.S. Senate (R)
“Lord help us! Another school shooting – Houston. Pray for the students and families. When are we going to focus on what is in people’s hearts? That is the evil we must address. #Jackson4Senate”
Rep. Donald McEachin (Democrat, VA-04)
“When will this Republican controlled government allow us to act to protect our kids? Children’s blood is on their hands.”
Rep.Dave Brat (Republican, VA-07)
“My heart goes out to the students, parents, teachers, and administration at Santa Fe High School. There will be a time in the days and weeks to come to discuss what happened and how we address this violence. What I do know is that we need to do more to keep our kids and our teachers safe. Now is a time to grieve for the lives lost and pray for the injured and for healing in the community.”
Rep. Don Beyer (Democrat, VA-08)
“We can not let this go on. Congress is failing our children. The President is failing our children. Listen to their pain, and explain to me how anyone can sleep at night who is willing to accept this status quo. Enough.”
Rep. Gerry Connolly (Democrat, VA-11)
“Mr. President and Republicans in Congress, our children shouldn’t have to go through this on a seemingly weekly basis. We are losing too many children. We are not powerless. We are supposed to be leaders and take action.”
Edwin Santana for Congress (Democrat, VA-01)
“Another school, another shooting. We can’t allow ourselves to get used to these images. My thoughts are with the victims and their families in Houston and my actions will honor them. I will continue to fight to break the stranglehold the NRA has on our politicians and our country.
It pains me to say this, but it’s only a matter of time before what’s happened in Parkland and what’s happening at Santa Fe High School happens at a school in your community. We have to protect our children. We have to address our culture of gun violence. Enough is enough.”
John Suddarth for Congress (Democrat, VA-01)
“I am saddened to hear that there has been yet another school shooting, the 22nd this year alone. It’s three months since Parkland,and still nothing has been done in Washington. Gun violence is the greatest fear among Americans 13 to 24. It’s time for action. #GunControl #SantaFe”
Elaine Luria for Congress (Democrat, VA-02)
“As I watch my daughter perform in her school play tonight, I think of the parents in TX whose similar memories are now frozen in time. It’s past time for politicians to act to prevent gun violence. Those who don’t will be on the wrong side of history.”
Karen Mallard for Congress (Democrat, VA-02)
“My heart breaks for the students, staff and families of #SantaFeHighSchool. We must find a way to #SafeguardOurChildren.”
Abigail Spanberger for Congress (Democrat, VA-07)
“Our nation’s children keep dying in school. They are being murdered in school. This is unacceptable. This is not normal. As a parent, as an American, as an adult, I cannot accept this. We owe our children more.”
Dan Ward for Congress (Democrat, VA-07)
“Heartbreaking. When will we decide that enough is enough? Thoughts and prayers are not enough to fix this. Congress needs to act.”
Lindsey Davis Stover for Congress (Democrat, VA-10)
“Lindsey’s family members were attending Santa Fe High School today during yet another tragic shooting. She has confirmed they are safe but everyone is rattled. We are briefly suspending campaign activity and will offer a full statement shortly.”
Alison Friedman for Congress (Democrat, VA-10)
“This is the 38th school shooting this year.
My heart breaks for everyone who has lost a loved one to gun violence. Over the course of this campaign, I have met teachers who compare notes on how to break protocol to keep their kids safe, a graduate of Marjory Stoneman Douglas who lives here now and can’t stop from crying, and too many students who have lost the people they love to suicide. I have sat on steps, listening to neighbors discuss the shooting the next street over. I have watched friends nod in agreement as a young woman explains how scared she is to turn around, with anti-Hindu graffiti becoming commonplace and guns readily available.
As we talk about this needless tragedy, we must also remember the daily gun violence that doesn’t grab the headlines. Common sense gun reform does not apply only to mass shootings.
This shouldn’t be about politics. This should be about the essential value of a human life. This should be about family and community and protecting one another.
Congress, it’s time you start praying for our families with your votes.”
Dan Helmer for Congress (Democrat, VA-10)
“Our students should both be and feel safe at school. Congress has still done nothing. Once again, my thoughts are with victims at #SantaFe #VetsVstheNRA”
Paul Pelletier for Congress (Democrat, VA-10)
“Again! Why can’t we protect our school kids? This is unacceptable and un-American. When I’m in Congress, I’ll stand with the Parkland students and pass responsible gun safety laws. I’ll also take on the real culprit–the corrupt NRA.#enough #neveragain”
Jennifer Wexton for Congress (Democrat, VA-10)
“This is the 22nd school shooting just THIS year. Enough “thoughts and prayers”−it’s time for policy and change.”
Julia Biggins for Congress (Democrat, VA-10)
“I am simply at a loss. This cannot keep happening. My thoughts are with the victims, their families, and all of the students and faculty.”
Gov. Ralph Northam (Democrat)
“Let’s do better by our kids.”
Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax (Democrat)
“My heart goes out to everyone in Santa Fe. We must never view these tragedies as normal.”
Attorney General Mark Herring (Democrat)
“‘I’ve always kind of felt like eventually it was going to happen here, too.’ I’ve heard this from so many young people over the last few months. Life doesn’t have to be this way and it shouldn’t. Our kids deserve so much better.”
Virginia House Democratic Leader David Toscano (Democrat)
“Again.There must be changes, to protect our children and their futures. My recent newsletter talks about two ways the House of Delegates is working to come up with those changes.”
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