Some groups call them "rising stars." Others call them "races to watch." Republicans call them "Young Guns." Go figure.
We've been keeping you updated on developments in the NRCC's "Young Guns" program, designed to recruit and train GOP prospects in high-priority open-seat and challenger races. The three-level program ranks candidates in tiers as "On the Radar," "Contenders," and "Young Guns." Candidates' rankings are based on benchmarks such as fundraising, media plans, and grassroots organizing, according to CQ Politics.
The NRCC announced this week that they're adding a new batch of candidates to the program, including three opponents hoping to challenge EMILY's List women. Blake Curd is running to defeat EMILY's List alum Cong. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (SD-AL) , while Joe Heck is in the race against Cong. Dina Titus (NV-03). And in Arizona's first district, Paul Gosar is looking to take on Cong. Ann Kirkpatrick. Curd, Heck, and Gosar were added to the first step of the program -- "0n the Radar" -- this week.
Two other opponents of EMILY's List women were bumped up to the second part of the NRCC program -- the "contender" level. Honolulu City Councilman Charles Djou, called "the next Scott Brown" by a number of right-wingers, will face off in a three-way special election with EMILY's List candidate Colleen Hanabusa (HI-01) as early as May. Cong. Debbie Halvorson's opponent in Illinois's third district, Adam Kinzinger, is fresh off his primary win in Illinois last week. He was also bumped up to the "contender" level of the program.
There's no doubt the NRCC and their recruits are gearing up for tough battles this fall. With momentum building and the prospect of making gains in Congress, Republicans are eager to do what it takes to win back seats. That's why all of our women will be counting on EMILY's List members around the country to help them keep their seats in the Democratic column.
Cong. Debbie Halvorson (IL-11), elected with EMILY's List members' support in 2008, released a powerful video today, highlighting stories behind health care reform.
The people in the video, all Debbie's constituents, have dealt with incredible obstacles. Their stories speak for themselves:
"These stories are the reasons why I voted for the Affordable Health Care for America Act, and these are the reasons why I have fought, and will continue to fight to deliver affordable, quality, stable care that works for you," Debbie said in an email to supporters.
We couldn't be prouder to watch Debbie in action, as she exemplifies exactly the type of leadership we want in our representatives in Congress.
We told you earlier about the NRCC's Young Guns program, which helps recruit and train GOPers in targeted open-seat and challenger races. And now we have news that the Young Guns are taking aim and increasing their numbers, adding 32 new GOP candidates to the program -- and using more gun analogies and references than ever!
Five EMILY's List incumbents were already matched up against Young Guns program participants -- and now, they're adding another. EMILY's List alum Cong. Gabrielle Giffords's (AZ-08) potential opponent, Jesse Kelly, has been added to the list. Recently endorsed candidate Julie Hamos (IL-10) now faces not just one, but three potential opponents enrolled in the program -- Beth Coulson, Bob Dold, and Dick Green.
We also learned that nine candidates have been elevated from the Young Guns' first step -- "on the radar" -- to the second "contender" level of the three-part program. New "contenders" include Cory Gardner, looking to run in CO-04 against Cong. Betsy Markey; Frank Guinta, a potential challenger for Cong. Carol Shea-Porter in NH-01; and Steve Stivers, who is hoping for a rematch against Cong. Mary Jo Kilroy in OH-15.
Other Young Guns facing EMILY's List incumbents include Van Tran in Cong. Loretta Sanchez's CA-47 district and Adam Kinzinger in recently endorsed Cong. Debbie Halvorson's IL-11 district. And in HI-01, EMILY’s List endorsed candidate Colleen Hanabusa's potential GOP opponent, Charles Djou, is also enrolled in the program.
Although the NRCC is certainly pulling out all the stops for these GOPers, there's no doubt this is far from the Republican'' complete list of targets for 2010 -- just one more reminder that we have to prepare now to protect and build on our majorities in Congress.
Usually, it's a good thing when I say someone is "on the List." But there's always an exception.
A number of EMILY's List elected women are being targeted by the Susan B. Anthony List, a PAC dedicated to electing anti-choice women candidates. The so-called "Votes Have Consequences" campaign is an organized attack on 12 members of Congress, including three EMILY's List women. Freshman Congresswomen Suzanne Kosmas and Debbie Halvorson, along with two-term Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, are among those on the group's targeted list.
Already, they're up with ads in Nevada against Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and there's more to come. According to POLITICO, there will be more attack ads, along with likely robocalls and online campaigns against the targeted members.
Unsurprisingly, there's a familiar face behind the group's political actions, former GOP Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, who was defeated by EMILY's List candidate Rep. Betsy Markey last year. Seems like Musgrave has a bit of a bone to pick with progressives in Congress -- and with a $2 million budget for this current campaign, these candidates will need our continued support to hold their seats.
Only days ago we told you that the NRCC was picking their top races for 2010, and yesterday's POLITICO report sheds more light on exactly whom Republicans will target.
Nine of the seats in Republicans' sights are currently held by EMILY's List incumbents, including six freshman members we helped elect last year: Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ-01), Betsy Markey (CO-04), Suzanne Kosmas (FL-24), Debbie Halvorson (IL-11), Dina Titus (NV-03), and Mary Jo Kilroy (OH-15). Three longer serving EMILY's List candidates, Carol Shea-Porter (NH-01), Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin (SD-AL), and Loretta Sanchez (CA-47), are also being targeted.
According to an NRCC release, GOPers are hoping to pick up a total of 70 districts across the country, ranging from vulnerable new members who were elected in the 2006 or 2008 cycles to more experienced representatives who haven't had competitive races in recent years.
And there's no doubt Republicans are putting politics before progress when it comes to making a name for themselves in 2010:
House Republicans also appear confident that difficult votes on health care and energy legislation will put battle-tested members from conservative districts in trouble.
For EMILY's List candidates, Republican attacks are going to make voter outreach and supporter efforts more crucial than ever.
The GOP is gearing up for showdowns in 2010, and they're already picking their top races.
The NRCC's "Young Guns" program -- designed to help GOPers in open-seat and challenger races -- debuted yesterday featuring 13 candidates. Seven of those races will likely pit "On the Radar" candidates (those in the first stage of the "Young Gun" program) against women candidates, including five incumbent EMILY's List candidates: Loretta Sanchez (CA-47), Betsy Markey (CO-04), Debbie Halvorson (IL-11), Carol Shea-Porter (NH-01), and Mary Jo Kilroy (OH-15). The committee plans to train 80 candidates this cycle to compete in top races.
In addition to unveiling the "Young Guns" initiative, NRCC Chairman Rep. Pete Sessions (TX-32) announced committee endorsements for two of the program's current candidates. In one of those races, challenger Adam Kinzinger will take on Rep. Debbie Halvorson, a freshman EMILY's List helped elect last cycle.
The GOP isn't wasting any time plotting for 2010 -- and top on their list of priorities is taking down freshman members of Congress in moderate or conservative-leaning districts, including women we've helped elect.
Six of the women EMILY's List helped elect last year are being targeted in RNC ads that call White House health care reform plans a "dangerous experiment" -- Debbie Halvorson (IL-11), Mary Jo Kilroy (OH-15), Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ-01), Suzanne Kosmas (FL-24), Betsy Markey (CO-04), and Dina Titus (NV-03). Also under attack are more senior EMILY's List members of Congress, Gabrielle Giffords (AZ-08), Carol Shea-Porter (NH-01), and Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (SD-AL).
The so-called "ad blitz" will be aired in 33 states nationwide.
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