News: The DCCC added four new candidates to its Red to Blue program for top challengers.
Three of the candidates just won contested primaries: Denise Powell, a businesswoman who is running for retiring Rep. Don Bacon’s (R-Neb.) seat; Rebecca Bennett, a former Navy helicopter pilot challenging Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-N.J.) and Marni von Wilpert, a San Diego city councilmember running for retiring Rep. Darrell Issa’s (R-Calif.) open seat.
A fourth candidate, Bale Dalton, remains in a crowded primary field vying to take on embattled Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.). Dalton served in the Navy as an aviator and, most recently, was the chief of staff at NASA. Florida’s primaries are not until August.
The DCCC drew scrutiny last month when it decided to wade into several crowded primaries to endorse its preferred contenders. In those cases, House Democratic leaders felt certain candidates were better positioned to flip the seats in November. This new round of endorsements is less controversial because most of them come after primary victories.
This is the third round of candidate additions to the Red to Blue program, bringing its total roster to 24. These candidates “will receive strategic guidance, staff resources, training, and fundraising support,” per the DCCC.
“This latest class of Red to Blue candidates are proven fighters and trusted public servants who put country over party,” DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene said in a statement.
