EXCLUSIVE: NRA endorses Tom Cotton with ‘A’ Rating, Dem Hallie Shoffner gets ‘F’ on gun rights
The National Rifle Association endorsed Sen. Tom Cotton for reelection and awarded the Arkansas Republican an “A” rating for his record defending the Second Amendment, while giving his Democratic opponent Hallie Shoffner an “F.”
The NRA Political Victory Fund announced its endorsement of Cotton in a Sept. 8 letter obtained by the Washington Reporter, praising his “consistent and proven record defending the Second Amendment.”
Representative David Ray told the Reporter, “Tom Cotton has always stood strong for the Second Amendment and been a friend to Arkansas gun owners. Meanwhile, liberal Democrat Hallie Shoffner has donated to some of the biggest gun-control politicians in the country, including Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, and AOC.
Every voter who values the 2nd Amendment should cast their vote for Tom Cotton. A vote for Hallie Shoffner would be a vote for the same gun-grabbing policies of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.”
The contrast between the two candidates could hardly be sharper. The NRA defines an “A” as a “solidly pro-gun candidate,” while its “F” rating is reserved for what the organization calls a “true enemy of gun owners’ rights” and a “consistent anti-gun candidate.”
“Thank you for defending NRA members and law-abiding gun owners in Arkansas and throughout the country,” NRA-PVF Chairman John Commerford wrote to Cotton in the endorsement letter.
The NRA specifically praised Cotton for cosponsoring national Right-to-Carry reciprocity legislation, which would allow millions of Americans who legally carry concealed firearms in their home states to exercise those rights across state lines.
The group also highlighted Cotton’s support for legislation protecting veterans from having their gun rights stripped because of certain Department of Veterans Affairs determinations.
Cotton also voted to eliminate a federal excise tax on suppressors and certain firearms. The NRA called the legislation the “first significant repeal of NFA provisions in nearly a century.”
The NRA additionally praised Cotton’s support for Supreme Court Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett and his opposition to gun-control proposals backed by Democratic congressional leaders.
Shoffner’s “F” rating comes as her history of financially supporting national Democrats has emerged as an issue in the Arkansas Senate race.
Shoffner has donated to prominent Democrats including Kamala Harris and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, donations that have already become a focus of the campaign. Recent Arkansas reporting has confirmed Cotton’s campaign has repeatedly highlighted Shoffner’s past contributions to Harris and Ocasio-Cortez.
Shoffner has also contributed to Joe Biden and Democratic Party organizations, tying herself financially to national Democrats who have pushed for additional federal gun restrictions.
Cotton, meanwhile, has made gun rights a consistent part of his record in the Senate. The NRA said its “A” rating reflects his votes and actions in office, rather than simply his campaign promises.
“Congratulations on your endorsement and thank you for your support of the Second Amendment,” Commerford wrote.
