The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee on Wednesday elevated Missouri state Rep. Judy Baker (D) to its “Red to Blue” fundraising program. Baker, an EMILY’s List-backed candidate, handily defeated former state House Speaker Steve Gaw in yesterday’s Show Me State primary, 44 percent to 31 percent.

“Congratulations to Judy Baker on her primary victory and for assembling a strong grassroots campaign for change,” DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen (Md.) said in a statement. “The Red to Blue program will give Judy the financial and structural edge to be even more competitive.”

Baker will now face former state tourism director Blaine Luetkemeyer (R) in the race to succeed Rep. Kenny Hulshof (R) in November. Democrats have become increasingly optimistic about their chances of making the contest in Republican-friendly territory competitive.

Luetkemeyer took 40 percent of the primary vote on Tuesday against state Rep. Bob Onder (R), a Club for Growth-backed candidate who received less than one-third of the overall GOP vote.