Gun control group dives into Senate races

The gun control group bankrolled by billionaire former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (I) on Tuesday handed out dozens of endorsements in its bid for more stringent gun control regulations.

Included on the endorsement list are several Democrats embroiled in tough races that could decide control of the Senate.

{mosads}Bloomberg has committed to spend at least $50 million, as he seeks to counter the National Rifle Association’s (NRA) political muscle this fall. Borrowing from the NRA’s own playbook, Everytown for Gun Safety began asking lawmakers to detail their positions on gun control in July.

On Tuesday, the group announced endorsements for more than 100 state and federal office seekers, though it is unclear how much financial backing any of the candidates would receive.

“These are candidates who have shown leadership in the fight to keep our communities safe from gun violence both on the state and federal level,” said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety.

The group supports a host of stronger gun protections, including an assault weapons ban and universal background checks for commercial gun sales.

Among the candidates receiving backing are 32 candidates for state offices, 61 vying for House seats and 17 running for the U.S. Senate.

In the Senate, the group is endorsing vulnerable incumbent Democratic Sens. Kay Hagan (N.C.), Mark Udall (Colo.) and Mary Landrieu (La.), as well as Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa), who is battling for the seat to be vacated by retiring Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa).

The list also contains some Republicans, including Sen. Susan Collins (Maine), whose seat is considered safe.

Formed earlier this year, Everytown is a coalition including the groups Mayors Against Illegal Guns, co-founded by Bloomberg, and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, formed in the wake of the 2012 elementary school shooting in Newtown, Conn.