House Republicans rolled out another round of Young Guns , the party’s designation for top-tier candidates in open and Democratic-held seats.  

None of the four Republicans in this round are running in districts where Republicans have much of a shot, according to the Rothenberg Political Report/Roll Call  race ratings.  

In order to earn the title of Young Gun , a House Republican candidate must meet internal committee benchmarks, including fundraising. The designation telegraphs to donors and the press which candidates the National Republican Congressional Committee takes seriously.  

All the following candidates are in races rated Safe Democratic by the Rothenberg Political Report/Roll Call.

• Ex-Nassau County Legislator Bruce Blakeman, who is running against Democratic Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice for retiring Rep. Carolyn McCarthy’s 4th District in New York.
• Businessman Mark Greenberg, who is challenging Democratic freshman Rep. Elizabeth Esty for Connecticut’s 5th District.
• Former state Sen. Dan Debicella, who is challenging Democratic Rep. Jim Himes for Connecticut’s 4th District.
• Attorney Elan Carr, who is running against Democratic state Sen. Ted Lieu for Democratic Rep. Henry A. Waxman’s 33rd District in California.

There are still three competitive contests where Republicans have not named Young Guns candidates: New Hampshire’s 1st and 2nd districts, and Arizona’s 1st District.  

As a policy, national Republicans abstain from naming Young Guns in outstanding competitive primaries. New Hampshire’s primary is on Sept. 9 and Arizona’s primary is on Aug. 26.  

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