House Democrats back slate of candidates challenging Republicans in competitive districts

House Democrats’ campaign arm has announced a slate of candidates to help challenge potentially vulnerable current House Republicans this year as they try to regain control of the House.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) announces 17 “top tier” candidates in a release Monday as part of its “Red to Blue” program, which provides financial and organizational support to candidates. did.

“House Democrats have multiple paths to regaining the majority, and these incredible candidates are at the forefront of that effort,” said Rep. Susan DelBene (D-Wash.), DCCC Chair. said in a statement.

NBC News first Report an announcement.

The DCCC-backed candidates are running in districts that were closely contested in the 2022 midterm elections, where Democrats narrowly lost the House majority. The majority of them had run in their district before and had lost past races by a few points.

For example, Democrat Adam Frisch lost Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District to Rep. Lauren Boebert (R) in 2022 by fewer than 600 votes. If Frisch wins her party’s nomination this year, she will face a non-incumbent Republican because Boebert has switched her district. He is running in the more conservative 4th District.

Nebraska Congressman Tony Vargas lost the state’s 2022 election to Republican Rep. Don Bacon by fewer than 6,000 votes. Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan election handicapper, rates both races as “leaning Republican.”

DelBene said the Democratic candidates “reflect the broad and diverse coalition that will be critical” to a Democratic victory in 2024 and “resolve the urgent problems facing everyday Americans.” “Their efforts toward this are in stark contrast to the MAGA loyalties of the opposition.”

Republicans hold a slim majority in the House, holding 219 seats to Democrats’ 213, with three seats vacant.

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) blasted a group of Democratic candidates in a statement, claiming they “failed” last cycle and will lose again.

NRCC spokesperson Will Reinert said, “No one likes a week-old crusty lasagna, but in desperate times, trying to convince your kids it’s the best meal of their lives.” , we will be offering it again.” “The same goes for the DCCC. These candidates were a huge failure in the last election. No amount of spin will convince voters that they are not too extreme to represent them in Congress.” You can not.”