State Lawmaker, Critical Care Specialist, and Navy Veteran Served as Trauma Surgeon for Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords
April 29, 2021
PHILADELPHIA — Today, 314 Action Fund announced its endorsement of Dr. Randy Friese in the race to succeed Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick and represent Arizona’s second congressional district. Dr. Friese previously served on the advisory board of 314 Action to support fellow scientists running for public office.
A veteran of the U.S. Navy Medical Corps, Dr. Friese has served as a trauma surgeon and critical care specialist, and he has taught at the University of Arizona College of Medicine since 2008. In 2011, Dr. Friese was in the operating room to care for victims of the Tucson mass shooting that injured Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Dr. Friese also currently serves in the Arizona House of Representatives. He served two terms as the chamber’s Assistant Democratic Leader and has consistently fought for science-based policy solutions to issues facing Arizonans.
“I am extremely proud to have 314 Action, the group that supports scientists running for public office, endorse my campaign for Arizona’s Second Congressional District,” said Dr. Randy Friese, candidate for Arizona’s second congressional district. “As a trauma surgeon I use science and critical thinking to improve, and sometimes even save lives. I went into public service to implement the kinds of scientific and data-driven policies that can help to prevent the tragedies and inequities that drive people to need my care in the hospital. If the past year has taught us anything, it’s that we need more fact-based problem solvers at the decision making table in DC, too, delivering progress on healthcare, pandemic response, and America’s gun violence epidemic. I look forward to working with 314 on this campaign and using my experiences to build consensus for progressive policies in Congress.”
“Arizona has become a battleground in the fight against the anti-science GOP’s disinformation machine, and there’s nothing that scares Republicans more than a scientist who will take them to task on the facts,” said Shaughnessy Naughton, President of 314 Action. “From the operating room to the state legislature, Dr. Randy Friese has always faced down tough challenges and relied on his science background to fight for his community. Randy is the best shot Democrats have to keep this seat blue and out of the hands of a Republican who would put corporate interests above those of Arizonans.”
During the 2020 campaign cycle, Dr. Friese served as a surrogate for 314 Action Fund’s “Draft Mark Kelly” campaign to help raise $3 million and hundreds of thousands of signatures to encourage the now-senator to run for office.
In 2022, 314 Action Fund will aim to spend $50 million to elect scientists across all levels of government, with initial targets of seven U.S. Senate races, forty U.S. House races (including AZ-02), and twenty-one statewide races. In 2020, the organization spent $25 million on behalf of its endorsed candidates and raised a total of $5 million in grassroots donations for scientists running for office.
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314 Action Fund is powered by a grassroots community of over six million people working to elect scientists, doctors, and STEM professionals who will use science and facts to address our most pressing issues like climate change and health care. In 2018 and 2020, we played a pivotal role in flipping the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, electing eleven Democratic scientists to federal office, as well as over 100 to state and local offices. In 2021 and 2022, 314 Action Fund will continue working to elect science leaders and defeat climate deniers in Congress and legislatures across the country.