Red to Blue Program Now Has 24 Candidates

DCCC Chairman Ben Ray Luján today announced the third round of candidates on the DCCC’s highly competitive Red to Blue program. Twenty-four candidates have now earned a spot on Red to Blue by surpassing aggressive goals for grassroots engagement, local support, campaign organization and fundraising. Beyond their demonstrated abilities to build a winning campaign infrastructure, these candidates have strong records of service and deep ties to the communities they aim to represent.

“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,” said DCCC Chairman Ben Ray Luján. “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.” 

Red to Blue is a highly competitive and battle-tested DCCC program that arms top-tier candidates with organizational and fundraising support to help them continue to run strong campaigns. Additionally, the DCCC provides strategic guidance, staff resources, candidate trainings, and more.

New additions to Red to Blue:

• Lauren Baer (FL-18)
• Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02): Jeff Van Drew has long been at the top of Democrats’ recruitment list. A dentist, state Senator, and lifelong advocate for South Jersey, Sen. Van Drew has delivered real results for veterans, seniors, consumers and children. In the New Jersey State Senate, Van Drew was recognized as a bipartisan consensus builder, working across the aisle to crack down on predatory lenders, safeguard veterans and their families, and ensure that children with learning disabilities got the attention and curriculum they needed. He is one of the most popular Democratic elected officials in South Jersey, regularly winning his Republican leaning Senate seat by double digits.
• Andy Kim (NJ-03): Andy Kim is a national security expert and a Rhodes Scholar who served two years as President Obama’s Director for Iraq in the White House National Security Council. He previously served at the Pentagon, where he helped our nation build a strong military and provide for the men and women in our armed forces, and also served in Afghanistan as strategic adviser to Generals David Petraeus and John Allen during their tenures as Commanding Generals. Andy grew up in South Jersey and is raising his two baby boys there.
• Xochitl Torres-Small (NM-02)
• Elaine Luria (VA-02)
• Lisa Brown (WA-05)

Full list of Red to Blue Candidates:

1. Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ-02)
2. Jason Crow (CO-06)
3. Lauren Baer (FL-18)
4. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (FL-26)
5. Abby Finkenauer (IA-01)
6. Brendan Kelly (IL-12)
7. Paul Davis (KS-02)
8. Elissa Slotkin (MI-08)
9. Angie Craig (MN-02)
10. Dean Phillips (MN-03)
11. Dan McCready (NC-09)
12. Kathy Manning (NC-13)
13. Brad Ashford (NE-02)
14. Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02)
15. Andy Kim (NJ-03)
16. Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11)
17. Xochitl Torres-Small (NM-02)
18. Susie Lee (NV-03)
19. Max Rose (NY-11)
20. Anthony Brindisi (NY-22)
21. Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06)
22. Ben McAdams (UT-04)
23. Elaine Luria (VA-02)
24. Lisa Brown (WA-05)