The National Rifle Association’s Political Victory Fund has handed out grades for local politicians running for office this year.
The NRA-PVF ranks political candidates based on voting records, public statements and their responses to a questionnaire, according to its website.
Here’s the grades for our local races:
U.S. House of Representatives:
New York’s 19th Congressional District:
Republican John Faso: A (Also endorsed by NRA)
Democrat Zephyr Teachout: F
New York’s 18th Congressional District:
Republican Phil Olivia: B
Democratic Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney: F
New York State Senate:
39th Senate District:
Republican Sen. Bill Larkin: A (NRA endorsed)
Democrat Chris Eachus: ?
46th Senate District:
Republican Sen. George Amedore: A+ (NRA endorsed)
Democrat Sara Niccoli: ?
42nd Senate District:
Republican Sen. John Bonacic: A (NRA endorsed)
Democrat Pramilla Malick: Not listed
51st Senate District:
Republican Sen. James Seward: A+ (NRA Endorsed)
Democrat: Jermaine Bagnall-Graham: ?
New York State Assembly:
103rd Assembly District:
Democratic Assemblyman Kevin Cahill: D
Republican Jack Hayes: ?
99th Assembly District:
Democrat Assemblyman James Skoufis: A (NRA endorsed)
Republican Colin Schmitt: Aq
98th Assembly District:
Republican Assemblyman Karl Brabenec: A
Democrat Aron Weider: D
101st Assembly District:
Republican Brian Miller: Aq
Democrat Arlene Feldmeier: ?
I haven’t listed races where there is no challenger.
Here’s the NRA’s guide to what the scores mean:
A+: A legislator with not only an excellent voting record on all critical NRA issues, but who has also made a vigorous effort to promote and defend the Second Amendment.
A: Solidly pro-gun candidate. A candidate who has supported NRA positions on key votes in elective office or a candidate with a demonstrated record of support on Second Amendment issues.
AQ: A pro-gun candidate whose rating is based solely on the candidate’s responses to the NRA-PVF Candidate Questionnaire and who does not have a voting record on Second Amendment issues.
B: A generally pro-gun candidate. However, a “B” candidate may have opposed some pro-gun reform or supported some restrictive legislation in the past.
D: An anti-gun candidate who usually supports restrictive gun control legislation and opposes pro-gun reforms. Regardless of public statements, can usually be counted on to vote wrong on key issues.
F: True enemy of gun owners’ rights. A consistent anti-gun candidate who always opposes gun owners’ rights and/or actively leads anti-gun legislative efforts, or sponsors anti-gun legislation.
?: Refused to answer the NRA-PVF Candidate Questionnaire, often an indication of indifference, if not outright hostility, to gun owners’ and sportsmen’s rights.