Republican Party campaign arm releases list of 26 competitive ‘Young Gun’ candidates

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) on Monday announced a slate of 26 Republican candidates as part of its “Young Gun” program, which highlights non-incumbent candidates and challengers in competitive districts.

The initial slate of 2,024 candidates includes 24 Republicans challenging incumbent Democrats or seeking a seat a Democrat is vacating, along with two Republicans seeking elections for districts a Republican incumbent is vacating to run in a different district.

Those who participate in the Young Guns program receive extra guidance and assistance from the Republican Party’s campaign arm and are required to meet certain goals and benchmarks during the election cycle, according to the NRCC.

“House Democrats’ extreme border, crime and cost-of-living crises have destroyed the safety and security of Americans,” said NRCC Chairman Richard Hudson (RN.C.) in a statement announcing the list on Monday. fair. “Fortunately, these Republican candidates are already on track to run winning campaigns that will increase our majority in the House in November.”

It is possible that the NRCC will add candidates to its Young Gun list as the election season progresses. The NRCC Young Guns program began in the 2008 election cycle, led by then-Representatives Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), Eric Cantor (R-Va.), and Paul Ryan (R-Wis.).

Here is the initial list of the 26 NRCC Young Gun candidates for 2024:

• Nancy Dahlstrom in Alaska’s at-large district, challenging Rep. Mary Peltola (D)
• Caroleene Dobson in Alabama’s 2nd District, which Rep. Barry Morre (R) is vacating to run in a different district
• Kevin Lincoln in California’s 9th District, challenging Rep. Josh Harder (D)
• Scott Baugh in California’s 47th District, which Rep. Katie Porter (D) has been vacating since running for Senate
• Matt Gunderson in California’s 49th District, challenging Rep. Mike Levin (D)
• Jeff Hurd in Colorado’s 3rd District, which Rep. Lauren Boebert (R) is vacating while running in a different district
• Gabe Evans in Colorado’s 8th District, challenging Rep. Yadira Caraveo (D)
• George Logan in Connecticut’s 5th District, challenging Rep. Jahana Hayes (D)
• Joe McGraw in Illinois’ 17th District, challenging Rep. Eric Sorensen (D)
• Randy Niemeyer in Indiana’s 1st District, challenging Rep. Frank Mrvan (D)
• Prasanth Reddy in Kansas’ 3rd District, challenging Rep. Sharice Davids (D)
• Austin Theriault in Maine’s 2nd District, challenging Rep. Jared Golden (D)
• Tom Barrett in Michigan’s 7th District, which Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D) is vacating as she runs for Senate
• Joe Teirab in Minnesota’s 2nd District, challenging Rep. Angie Craig (D)
• Laurie Buckhout in North Carolina’s 1st District, challenging Rep. Donald Davis (D)
• Yvette Herrell New Mexico’s 2nd District, challenging Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D) for the seat he previously held
• John Lee in Nevada’s 4th District, challenging Rep. Steven Horsford (D)
• Alison Esposito in New York’s 18th District, challenging Rep. Pat Davis (D)
• Derek Merrin in Ohio’s 9th District, challenging Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D)
• Kevin Coughlin in Ohio’s 13th District, challenging Rep. Emilia Sykes (D)
• Monique DeSpain in Oregon’s 4th District, challenging Rep. Val Hoyle (D)
• Ryan Mackenzie in Pennsylvania’s 7th District, challenging Rep. Susan Wild (D)
• Rob Bresnahan in Pennsylvania’s 8th District, challenging Rep. Matt Cartwright (D)
• Rob Mercuri in Pennsylvania’s 17th District, challenging Rep. Chris Deluzio (D)
• Mayra Flores in Texas’ 34th District, challenging Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D) for a seat she previously held after winning a special election in 2022
• Derrick Anderson in Virginia’s 7th District, which Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D) is vacating

This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story