House Democrats’ campaign arm adds 4 candidates to program for top challengers

The House Democrats’ campaign arm on Thursday announced four new names for its program dedicated to supporting challengers who could flip key GOP-held districts in the midterms.

Three of the new candidates on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s (DCCC) “Red to Blue” list are coming off contested primary wins in recent weeks.

Former Navy helicopter pilot Rebecca Bennett won the Democratic nod in New Jersey on Tuesday to take on Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-N.J.), who is running for another term in the 7th Congressional District despite controversy over a long absence from Capitol Hill. Cook Political Report rates it one of just 18 “toss-up” contests.

In California, San Diego City Council member Marni von Wilpert (D) advanced from a top-two Tuesday primary alongside Republican San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond for retiring Rep. Darrell Issa’s (R-Calif.) seat in the 48th Congressional District, which Cook Political Report considers “lean Democrat,” a step away from the toss-up column.

And in Nebraska, Democratic businesswoman Denise Powell won her primary last month and will face off against Republican Omaha City Council member Brinker Harding for retiring Rep. Don Bacon’s (R-Neb.) seat in the 2nd Congressional District, another “lean Democrat” seat.

Florida’s primaries aren’t until August, but the DCCC also added Democrat and former NASA chief of staff Bale Dalton to their program as he fights in a crowded primary to take on embattled Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.). Cook Political Report rates it a “likely Republican” seat, one step short of being solidly in the GOP column.

The new additions boosts the “Red to Blue” list to more than two dozen candidates since this cycle’s program started in February. These candidates receive organizational and fundraising support from the DCCC to boost their chances in competitive races.

“This latest class of Red to Blue candidates are proven fighters and trusted public servants who put country over party. They are running to lower costs, tackle corruption, deliver for hardworking families, and will be critical to helping House Democrats take back the majority in November,” DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.) said in a statement.

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) also released statements knocking some of the new “Red to Blue” candidates.

NRCC spokesperson Zach Bannon blasted Powell as “too extreme for Nebraska,” while spokesperson Christian Martinez called von Wilpert a “tax-raising career politician.”

The stakes are high for both parties as Republicans fight to maintain their slim hold on the lower chamber in the midterms.