MARA ELLIOTT ENDORSED BY SD4GVP IN CONTEST FOR OPEN SENATE DISTRICT 40 SEAT.
Elliott’s leadership in protecting the public from gun violence earned her a national reputation as City Attorney.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, NOVEMBER 13, 2025 — San Diego’s leading advocates against gun violence today endorsed Mara Elliott’s candidacy for the open Senate District 40 seat, where incumbent Sen. Brian Jones is termed out.
Elliott, who was San Diego City Attorney for eight years, earned a national reputation by pioneering the use of Gun Violence Restraining Orders to save lives, and championing laws that require the safe storage of firearms, keeping them away from children and other unauthorized users.
The endorsement by San Diegans for Gun Violence Prevention (SD4GVP), a non-profit alliance with a mission of ending gun violence, reflects the group’s recognition of Elliott’s tireless leadership and courage.
“San Diegans for Gun Violence Prevention proudly supports a true champion of public safety by endorsing Mara Elliott for State Senate,” the group’s president, Therese Hymer, said. ”As San Diego City Attorney for eight years, Mara was nationally recognized for her leadership in crafting and implementing policies that keep our kids, families, and communities safe from gun violence. Having worked closely with her in San Diego, and knowing her courage and commitment to ending gun violence, we strongly believe California will be safer with Mara Elliott in the State Senate.”
In her first year as City Attorney, Elliott launched a dedicated Gun Violence Response Unit to implement California’s “red flag” law to intervene in crisis situations before they can turn deadly. Under her leadership, more than 1,500 dangerous individuals were disarmed after judges found they posed a risk to the public or themselves. Her pioneering work prevented suicides, domestic violence homicides, and planned attacks at schools, workplaces, and places of worship. The California Legislature then funded a statewide training program where hundreds of California law enforcement agencies were taught to replicate her life-saving model.
Elliott also authored San Diego’s Safe Storage of Firearms Ordinance to protect children and families from accidental shootings and other firearm-related tragedies. Elliott partnered with the state legislature on bills that closed loopholes in gun safety laws, put information about GVROs in the hands of survivors of domestic and gun violence, and allowed those survivors to testify remotely so they can safely seek justice for themselves and their children.
“I’m deeply honored to receive the endorsement of San Diegans for Gun Violence Prevention,” Elliott said. “Together, we’ve worked closely to pass groundbreaking laws that keep our communities safe and save lives. They have been an incredible partner in advancing common sense reforms, and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished. As we take this fight to the State Senate, I’ll continue to champion the same proven, life-saving policies that have made San Diego a leader in gun violence prevention.”
Learn more about Mara Elliott’s campaign at www.maraforsenate.com.
About San Diegans for Gun Violence Prevention (SD4GVP)
Founded in 2018, SD4GVP, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization, is an all-volunteer alliance of citizens and organizations in the San Diego region and beyond dedicated to ending gun violence in the United States. This is accomplished through legislative advocacy, public education, and intervention strategies in high-risk communities. For more information, visit sd4gvp.org. Follow us on Facebook at SD4GVP, on BlueSky @sd4gvp.bsky.social, and on Instagram.
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