National Rifle Association Endorses Senator Tom Cotton, Hallie Shoffner Receives “F” Rating

Today, the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund announced its endorsement of Senator Tom Cotton (R) for re-election to the U.S. Senate.

His liberal Democrat opponent, Hallie Shoffner, has received an “F” rating, the lowest possible score. Receiving an “F,” as defined by the NRA, means a candidate is a “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.”

“I’m a proud member of the National Rifle Association, and I’m pleased to have their endorsement,” said Senator Cotton. “The Second Amendment is a God-given right enshrined in the Constitution by our Founders. It’s my honor and privilege to defend that right for Arkansans every day in the U.S. Senate.”

In part, the Association wrote:

“On behalf of our millions of members across the country, the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) is proud to endorse your candidacy for the United States Senate in Arkansas in the November 3, 2026, General Election.

Thank you for defending NRA members and law-abiding gun owners in Arkansas and throughout the country. Based on your consistent and proven record defending the Second Amendment, you have earned an “A” rating from NRA-PVF. An “A” rating is reserved for a solidly pro-gun legislator who has supported NRA positions on key votes and issues.

We applaud your support for self-defense by cosponsoring NRA’s top legislative priority, Right-to-Carry reciprocity, which would ensure that the millions of law-abiding Americans who can carry a concealed firearm in their home state are able to do so across the country.

Additionally, we commend your support of our nation’s veterans by cosponsoring and voting for legislation to prevent the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from continuing a practice that unilaterally and arbitrarily strips veterans of their ability to own a firearm.

Further, we appreciate your vote to eliminate a burdensome excise tax on suppressors and certain firearms imposed by the NFA. This vote allowed for the first major reduction of taxes imposed on NRA members and law-abiding gun owners in decades and represented the first significant repeal of NFA provisions in nearly a century.

We also thank you for your commitment to supporting nominees for the U.S. Supreme Court and the federal bench that respect and value the Second Amendment, including Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett M. Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett.

Finally, we appreciate your opposition to the Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries gun control agenda of banning lawfully owned firearms, ammunition, and magazines. Congratulations on your endorsement and thank you for your support of the Second Amendment. Good luck with your campaign, and we look forward to our continued relationship.”

Full text of the letter may be found here.