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DCCC Announces Six More ‘Red to Blue’ Candidates

The candidates will benefit from additional DCCC resources

Lauren Baer, a former Obama Administration foreign policy expert , is challenging first-term GOP Rep. Brian Mast in Florida’s 18th District. (D.A. Banks/CQ Roll Call file photo)
Lauren Baer, a former Obama Administration foreign policy expert , is challenging first-term GOP Rep. Brian Mast in Florida’s 18th District. (D.A. Banks/CQ Roll Call file photo)

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is adding six more candidates to its Red to Blue program, which helps congressional hopefuls stand out to donors and gain access to committee resources.

The candidates must meet goals for fundraising and grassroots engagement to be added to the program. The candidates will also be able to benefit from additional DCCC staff resources, guidance, trainings and organizational support.

“We have built the largest battlefield in over a decade because incredible people all over America are answering the call to service and stepping up to run for Congress,” DCCC Chairman Ben Ray Luján said in a statement.

“While we still have a long way to go, the strength of Democratic candidates and their grassroots campaigns give me confidence that we are well positioned to take back the House,” Luján said.

Democrats now have 24 candidates in their Red to Blue program. The additional candidates include:

Lauren Baer (FL-18): The former State Department official is challenging first-term GOP Rep. Brian Mast in a district President Donald Trump won by 9 points in 2016, according to calculations by Daily Kos Elections. Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates the race Solid Republican.

Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02): The state senator launched his campaign after GOP Rep. Frank LoBiondo announced his retirement. Trump won the district by nearly 5 points, but LoBiondo’s exit makes the seat more competitive. Inside Elections rates the race a Tossup.

Andy Kim (NJ-03): Trump won the New Jersey district by 6 points in 2016. GOP Rep. Tom MacArthur is also a Democratic target due to his role in attempting to repeal parts of the Affordable Care Act. Kim worked as a national security official under former President Barack Obama. Inside Elections rates the race Solid Republican.

Xochitl Torres Small (NM-02): GOP Rep. Steve Pearce’s decision to run for governor opened up his New Mexico seat and gave Democrats an opening, causing Inside Elections to shift the race rating from Solid Republican to Likely Republican. Torres Small is an attorney and former staffer for Democratic Sen. Tom Udall. She entered the race with a slew of local endorsements. Trump won the district by 10 points.

Elaine Luria (VA-02): Luria is a Navy veteran challenging first-term GOP Rep. Scott Taylor, a former Navy SEAL. Trump won the 2nd District by 3 points in 2016, though Democrat Ralph Northam carried the district by 4 points in last year’s gubernatorial race. Inside Elections rates the race Likely Republican.

Lisa Brown (WA-05): Brown is challenging the highest ranking Republican woman in the House, GOP Conference Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers. Trump won the 5th District by 13 points, but Democrats believe this race is competitive. Brown is a former state lawmaker and former chancellor of Washington State University-Spokane. Brown trailed McMorris Rodgers by four points in a DCCC  survey conducted on Feb, with 47 percent of those surveyed backing McMorris Rodgers and 43 percent backing Brown. The poll had a margin of error of 4.8 points. Inside Elections rates the race Likely Republican

Watch: Six Midterm Candidate Intro Videos Worth Watching

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